News
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Says “Our Partnership With Nigeria To Establish An Airline Was Politicised”
Ethiopian Airlines CEO Blames Politics for Failed Nigerian National Carrier Initiative
Mesfin Tasew, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Ethiopian Airlines, has attributed the failure to establish a national carrier for Nigeria to political interference.
Tasew explained that Ethiopian Airlines aimed to help the Nigerian government create a successful airline but faced opposition from local Nigerian airlines and political complications.
The project, which began under former President Buhari and was overseen by former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, has been mired in controversy. The current aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, has criticized the deal, suggesting it would not benefit Nigeria.
This is the first time Tasew has publicly addressed the halted initiative since the current government ended the project. In an interview with Bloomberg, Tasew revealed that Ethiopian Airlines has officially closed the project aimed at setting up a national carrier for Nigeria.
“We had high hopes for establishing a strong national carrier in Nigeria,” Tasew said. “Unfortunately, the project did not succeed after the change in government, and it has now been closed.”
Tasew noted that Ethiopian Airlines no longer plans to partner with Nigerian airlines. “We don’t intend to pursue any further partnerships with Nigerian airlines at this time because the project was heavily politicized,” he explained.
“We tried to offer our expertise and experience to create a profitable airline, but it was not well-received by the local airlines who feared competition.”
Keyamo has previously stated that the proposed deal was unfavorable to Nigerian airlines and could lead to a monopoly for Ethiopian Airlines. He mentioned that all related reports have been submitted to President Bola Tinubu for further review and decision-making.
Keyamo added, “I cannot preempt my President’s decision, but we have forwarded all the reports and issues to him for consideration.”
Federal Government Refutes Age Restrictions for NECO and WAEC Exams
The Federal Government has dismissed rumors suggesting that age restrictions apply to the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
Dr. Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, clarified this in Abuja on Friday, affirming that there are no age limits for taking these exams. He explained that the age restriction applies only to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and university entry, which will start at 18 years beginning in 2025.
Sununu pointed out that the National Policy on Education specifies that children should start primary school at age six, spend six years there, and then proceed to three years each in junior and senior secondary schools, totaling 18 years.
His remarks came during a briefing for the 2024 World Literacy Day, themed “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”
Sununu addressed the confusion, stating, “We have clarified this issue in various forums, but the misinformation persists. Neither the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, nor I have announced any age limit for WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB exams.”
He added, “Some individuals have misinterpreted our comments regarding UTME age restrictions and mistakenly applied them to WAEC and NECO. Our previous statements only pertained to university entry age, as outlined in the National Policy on Education.”
Sununu also highlighted that the policy supports teaching children in their local language or mother tongue until primary three, after which English is introduced. This approach, he noted, facilitates better communication and learning.
President Tinubu Pledges Bold Decisions for Nigeria’s Progress
President Bola Tinubu has affirmed his commitment to making the tough decisions needed for Nigeria’s progress. He acknowledged the challenge of achieving national consensus on various issues but underscored that such decisions are crucial for the country’s advancement.
Wrapping up his official visit to China, President Tinubu met with the Nigerian community and members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO China) at the China World Hotel. He described the trip as highly successful and beneficial.
During his visit, President Tinubu engaged in discussions with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and participated in the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The focus was on boosting collaboration in areas such as infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, the green economy, and mining.
Addressing Nigerians in China, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of representing Nigeria positively and being exemplary citizens. He highlighted the need for discipline and dedication, drawing inspiration from China’s disciplined society.
The President encouraged Nigerians abroad to embrace their diversity, follow local laws, and project a positive image of their country. He stated:
“Nigeria is undergoing significant reforms, and we are making bold and unprecedented decisions. You might have heard recent news about fuel prices at home. But can we avoid these tough choices if we want to improve our infrastructure, like roads, electricity, and water supply? We aim to hand over a better future to our children, and that requires us to make hard decisions now.”
President Tinubu Wraps Up China Visit and Heads to London via Dubai
On Friday, September 6th, President Bola Tinubu concluded his official visit to China and is now en route to London, United Kingdom, with a stopover in Dubai.
Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, confirmed that the President will travel to the UK via Dubai.
During his visit, President Tinubu assured Nigerians in China that his administration is committed to good governance and aims to replicate China’s successes for the benefit of Nigeria. He made these remarks during a meeting with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel in Beijing.
The meeting marked President Tinubu’s final official engagement in China before his departure for London.
President Tinubu described his visit to China as “very good and successful.”
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