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Be watchful as eagle, FAAN MD tells AVSEC inductees
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Tuesday injected 201 fresh hands into the security apparatus of the airports, with a charge to be “as watchful as the eagle”.
This came as the organisation’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit graduated the cadets, to enhance safety and security of air travellers at the nation’s airports.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive (MD/CE), FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said the graduation/induction ceremony of STP 123 Basic Course for 201Aviation Security Cadets was in response to challenges in the sector.
She admonished the new inductees to use lessons from the training, meant to prepare them, to be the “vigilant sentinels of our skies”.
The MD urged them to adopt highest standards of integrity and professionalism, remembering that the safety and confidence of passengers rested in thier hands.
“You, dear Cadets, are our eyes and ears. Commit all our civil aviation regulations to heart and be as watchful as the eagle.
“Each time a plane takes to the skies or lands
safely, acknowledge that you played a vital role in making it happen,” she said.
Kuku said FAAN would continue to prioritise the safety, security and comfort of passengers and other stakeholders, while assuring that staff were committed to excellent public service delivery
The MD said safety and comfort of passengers was at the core of FAAN’s operations.
She said the induction ceremony not only marked a significant milestone in careers of the trainees but also in the journey of FAAN towards bolstering the nation’s aviation security.
“It is also one of our strategic responses to the increase in volume of passengers
using our airports.
“Permit me to remind us that the safety and security of lives and property is at the core of our business.
“As such, we deploy all human and material resources to ensure we provide the nation with the best trained personnel to carry out our various job functions with an emphasis on Aviation Security,” she said.
Kuku explained that the STP 123 Course was an eight weeks residential training designed to integrate new cadets into the Civil Aviation Industry.
She added that the training was to help them implement, monitor and enforce Aviation Security measures proactively in accordance with locally approved regulations.
Kuku said the trainees went through various security training programmes which include
Security Awareness Course, Airport Emergency Response Procedure Training and Leadership Training, to improve their leadership skills.
“They also underwent physical
trainings to equip them for the long hours. All these are to ensure we offer our darling customers the best service possible,” she said.
Kuku thanked President Bola Tinubu for all his input, encouragement and support in improving the fortunes of the aviation sector and raising its contribution to the nation’s GDP.
She also thanked the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, for his support and guidance.
The Commandant Aviation Security (AVSEC), FAAN, Mr Femi Apata, said the eight weeks intensive training was meant to tackle dynamics of threats.
He listed areas of training which encompassed all areas of the sector, adding that a portion captured security, banditry and terrorism.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that outstanding cadets were given awards.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced that the monthly allowance of corps members will be increased once the ongoing negotiations on the new minimum wage are completed.
Ahmed made this known on Saturday while addressing 2,762 corps members of Batch B, Stream One, at the Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp in Sagamu.
He congratulated the corps members for making it to the orientation camp, noting that many of their colleagues had not been so lucky academically.
“Let me also remind you of the camp rules that you are not allowed to post the camp activities online or on social media. Three of your colleagues elsewhere were found breaking these rules and posting camp activities on social media, and they have been decamped,” Ahmed warned.
He also cautioned against night journeys, emphasizing the importance of seeking permission and finding safe accommodation before traveling. “We don’t want to lose any of you. You are special and dear to us,” he said.
Regarding their allowance, Ahmed reassured the corps members, “Don’t worry, as soon as the ongoing negotiations on the minimum wage are concluded, you can be sure that your allowance too will definitely go up. There is no way the government will forget you because you are really special.”
The DG also urged the corps members to consider a career in the military, praising their military skills displayed during the parade guard mounted for him. He appealed to them to take their security seriously, noting that while the camp has provided tight security, they must also be cautious not to endanger themselves.
Ahmed further advised the corps members to respect the culture of the communities they will be posted to for their primary assignment and to discharge their duties responsibly as worthy ambassadors of the 51-year-old scheme.
In his welcome address, the Ogun State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Olayinka Nasamu, said the camp, which opened on Wednesday, June 26, has a total of 2,762 corps members, comprising 922 males and 1,423 females. She highlighted the camp’s efforts to prevent the outbreak of cholera, including the provision of handwashing stations and sanitizers.
Nasamu also listed the needs of the orientation camp, including the sinking of additional boreholes, provision of additional water reservoirs, inadequate bunks and mattresses, lack of functional ambulance, and provision of proper food store.
By Esther Agbo
In a stern address at the National Press Centre today Saturday, July 6, 2024, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris criticized the Daily Trust over what he described as “reckless reporting” on Samoa Agreement report that threatens national security and stability.
The Minister, speaking on behalf of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasized the administration’s commitment to press freedom while condemning what he termed as abuses of such freedoms.
Idris highlighted the President’s longstanding advocacy for democracy and human rights, emphasizing on the government’s tolerance of media criticism and protection of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. However, he expressed concern over what he termed a “pattern” of irresponsible journalism, particularly by the Daily Trust.
He said, “This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.
“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.
“The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar. On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.”
Idris pointed to episodes where the Daily Trust allegedly spread false claims about government actions, including the renaming of a major expressway and involvement in international military agreements, without providing credible evidence. He accused the newspaper of causing disaffection and raising tensions, notably with recent unfounded allegations regarding LGBTQ rights.
“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.
“We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.
“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story thereby raising tempers,” Idris asserted, noting the ensuing public uproar fueled by the report.
Despite these grievances, Idris reiterated the government’s commitment to handling the situation with civility and adherence to the rule of law, refraining from punitive measures against the press. He announced the government’s intent to formally lodge complaints with the Nigerian Press Association Ombudsman and pursue legal action against the Daily Trust.
“This afternoon, I have the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning to provide more clarity on this issue.
“But beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting.
“In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law,” Idris added.
Meanwhile, Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for ethical journalism and free speech, cautioning against the dissemination of fake news and misinformation that could jeopardize national peace and security.
“The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and it’s national security lightly.”
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