An aircraft maintenance repair facility and a flight training school for young pilots and auto engineers are set to commence operation at the Gateway International Agro Cargo and Passenger Airport soon.

The facility, when fully operational, would ensure that aircraft no longer travel outside Nigeria for routine maintenance.

The President, Air First Maintenance and Repair Facility, Gbolahan Abatan, made this known in an interview with newsmen shortly after meeting with the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun in his office.

Abatan noted that the company was looking forward to working with the state government in the development of the Aircraft Maintenance Facility at the Agro Cargo Airport, Ilishan Remo.

According to him, the company also plans to start aircraft assembling at the facility.

He further said that the company, when fully operational, would create jobs for the locals and people from other states.

He commended Governor Abiodun for building a world-class airport in the state.

“We had a great discussion (with the governor), and the encouraging thing is that the Governor has given us the assurance that he will give us all the necessary support to get things going.

“So, hopefully, with our certification process in place, we should be able to move in by the end of June to commence our activities at the airport.

“We also want to establish our flight training school for young pilots and auto engineers to be trained as well and we already have some airplanes in mind to use and we will eventually be able to assemble the airplane when we bring them in to be able to create jobs for the local indigenes and indigenes from other states,” he said.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo noted that the facilities at the airport are first class with the longest runway in the country, adding that the technology being deployed at the airport for aircraft and airport management is the best.

Dairo, while noting that Air First has a track record of excellence in aircraft maintenance, added that the state is delighted with the citing of the foremost aircraft maintenance company at the airport.

Miriam Olusanya made history in July 2021 as the first female Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) one of Nigeria’s most successful banks.

With over 24 million customers, Guaranty Trust Bank is a leading African Bank that offers Online/Internet Banking, Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Investment Banking and Asset management.

Despite her academic background in Pharmacy from the University of Ibadan and an MBA from the University of Liverpool, Olusanya has excelled in her role at GTBank.

Her performance has been instrumental in positioning the company as a leading financial holding company and enhancing its strategic capabilities in navigating operational challenges.

Recently, the Bank recorded the largest ever Profit before tax (PAT) in Nigeria’s Banking industry history.

Olusanya is an industrious and beautiful woman with the strength of a warrior and the ability to work magic with her skills. Her outstanding performance has significantly contributed to the growth of the financial institution and elevated the company’s standing within the financial industry.

Olusanya’s accomplishments have been acknowledged by Segun Agbaje, the Group CEO of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO PLC), recognising her exceptional leadership. Her impressive track record at GT Group reflects her exceptional qualities as a business executive.

Under her leadership, Olusanya has demonstrated a commitment to promoting enterprise across the African continent and supporting indigenous small businesses.

For her excellent performance since assuming office, Miriam Olusanya is our Thriving Woman of the Week.

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has revealed that the agriculture sector contributed N7 trillion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024.

This disclosure was made by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, during the ongoing 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing at Alausa Ikeja, commemorating the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Kadri Hamzat’s second term in office.

In her words, Olusanya said, “In Nigeria, Agriculture contributes 25 percent to the GDP. But in Lagos, Agriculture encompasses a lot up to food production, so agriculture contributes N7 trillion in the last couple of years to the Lagos economy.

“This is to tell you that we have the potential, there is opportunity. We will not relent in terms of making it better,” she added.

In addition, the commissioner announced that the state government is collaborating with other states to ensure a steady supply of 200,000 tonnes of paddy required at the Imota Rice Mill.

She also revealed that at least 10,000 heads of cattle are slaughtered daily in the state.

However, she noted that there are significant data gaps and loopholes in the red meat production chain, which are often exploited by individuals. To address this, the state plans to utilise the logistics hub in Epe to improve data collection and plug the loopholes.

“The Lagos Rice Mill is 2 lines of 16MTPH integrated mill sited on 8.5 hectares of land at Imota. The rice mill has a capacity to produce 2.4 million bags of 50 kg bags of Rice yearly using 200,000 Metric tonnes of paddy annually.

“The Mill is part of the government’s commitment towards ensuring food security in the State which is a key component of the T.H.E.M.E.S + Development Agenda of Mr. Governor to make Lagos State a 21st Century economy,” She added.

Also speaking, Dr. Oluwarotimi Fashola, Special Adviser on Agriculture, reiterated the state government’s partnership with other states to ensure a steady supply of paddy.

“Because of the size of rice needed, Mr Governor signed an MOU with Niger state being the largest producer of paddy in the country.

“The Imota rice mill needed 200,000 tonnes of paddy. The partnership with other states is to ensure sustainability of production. We extend our hand of fellowship to all the South West states,” He added.