Posts

EDO NDLEA DESTROYS TWO CANNABIS FARMS OF 1,388.42 KG ....ARRESTS FOUR SUSPECTS

 EDO NDLEA DESTROYS TWO CANNABIS FARMS OF 1,388.42 KG ....ARRESTS FOUR SUSPECTS Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, in a sustained offensive against drug trafficking and abuse, have destroyed two cannabis plantations with a yield of 1,388.42kg and the arrest of four suspected drug traffickers in the past one week.  The Commander of Narcotics, Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, who is the NDLEA Edo State commander, disclosed this on Monday, May 18, 2026, detailing the command’s achievements across the state. According to Commander Mitchell, acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA personnel raided the Ago Forest in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state, where two large cannabis farms were located.  The farms, measuring 0.362021 hectares and 0.229346 hectares, respectively, and totalling 0.555367 hectares, were completely destroyed.  The estimated yield of the illicit farm was put at 1,388.4175 kilograms. No arrests were mad...

BEYOND RENOVATION: THE MAKING OF A WORLD-CLASS MMIA

 BEYOND RENOVATION: THE MAKING OF A WORLD-CLASS MMIA By Henry Agbebire  The ongoing large-scale upgrade of West Africa’s busiest airport, the Murtala Murtala International Airport (MMIA), sets Nigeria on a new aviation path, a new phase of transformation that aligns Nigeria with the global shift toward modern, digitally enabled, passenger-centric aviation hubs. For decades, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport has been far more than an airport. Today, it is not just transitioning to a renovated facility, but a transformed gateway that signals Nigeria’s entry into a new era of world-class aviation. This is the story of transformation beyond surface improvements. It is a deliberate re-engineering of infrastructure, passenger experience, and national aviation identity. What is happening at MMIA goes far beyond renovation. It is a national statement. It is Nigeria announcing to the world that its aviation future will no longer be defined by ageing infrastructure, but by smar...

Privatization: shareholders urge NAHCO to bid for airports Shareholders of the country’s leading ground handling firm, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (nahco aviance) have urged the management to bid for ownership and management of airport terminals following the planned privatisation of airport infrastructure by the federal government. The FG plans to privatize and concession Nigeria’s five major international airport terminals in order to improve their infrastructure and efficiency via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy to be supervised by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Speaking at the 45th Annual General Meeting of nahco in Lagos, President of Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS) Dr. Farouk Umar while commending the company’s giant stride in the 2025 business year affirmed that “NAHCO has now reached a level that they can even provide the same services in other African countries. When I was on board, I tried to take the business to Morocco Airport but we did not get it.” He said “Secondly, the government is trying to privatise the airport. I call on NAHCO to bid because they have the capability and financial position to win the bid." According to him, "They have done very well. Last year, the share price was N80, today, it is over N200 and that is more than 250 per cent. They are giving bonuses of 1 to seven which is very commendable. And they have now won the business of Fly Gabon, Saudi and Qatar. This will increase revenue and bring more profit to shareholders. We believe the dividend next year will be much higher". NAHCO Group Chairman, Dr. Seinde Oladapo Fadeni affirmed that the company’s operational excellence continues to show in their results. He told shareholders saying: "we know it should delight you as owners of the company that in 2025, NAHCO recorded impressive growths across key performance indicators, combining a strong push for market share with disciplined cost management". On dividend, Dr Fadeni stated that the impressive performance in 2025 means that NAHCO can sustain its track record of remarkable dividend payment. He explained that "In the light of this, your board is recommending dividend payment of N6. 25 plus bonuses of 1 for seven for the 2025 financial year." Looking ahead, Fadeni revealed that in the few years that the present board has overseen the affairs of the company, their business has experienced significant growth. "We are committed to accelerating this growth by sustaining leadership in existing markets and exploring new opportunities", he assured. The Chairman also examined the impact of inflation on the operation of the company. For instance, he stated that the increase in fuel prices remains a major bottleneck, saying, "Fuel price is affecting our books. The commodity market is not smiling at us at all but we are managing the situation." On his part, Group Managing Director/CEO of NAHCO, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olumekun emphasised that NAHCO has not only navigated economic headwinds but has soared to new heights, reinforcing their position as West Africa's largest aviation services and logistics group. He said, "Our stock performance was stellar, with a 188% year-to-year gain and a market cap exceeding N200 billion. We unveiled a five-year strategic diversification plan to push revenue beyond N300 billion, focusing on new ventures and collaborations". The GMD added that, over the last three years, including 2025, NAHCO improved its fleet by acquiring more than 271 new ground support equipment units, phasing out aging assets for modern, fuel efficient and eco-friendly alternatives. Also speaking at the meeting, another shareholder, Mr. Patrick Ajudua commended NAHCO for the company's impressive outing. "There is no better joy for shareholders this year than what NAHCO is giving to their shareholders; an improved dividend of N6.25 plus bonus of 1 for seven for the 2025 financial year. And of course, a good future prospects to reward shareholders for their investments. I think NAHCO is a place to be for shareholders", Ajudua stated. Shareholders at the AGM commended NAHCO for their excellent performance in the year 2025 as the firm recorded an impressive N65. 82bn revenue, and raises its earnings per share by 36 per cent. It also increased its total revenue by 22.93 per cent from N53. 54 billion in 2024 to N65. 82 billion in 2025. Again, profit before tax jumped by 29.83 per cent to N24. 28 billion in 2025 as against N18. 702 billion in 2024, while profit after tax grew by 36.02 per cent from N12. 87 billion in 2024 to N17.5 billion in 2025. In the same vein, earnings per share rose by 36.14 per cent from N6. 60 in 2024 to N8. 99 in 2025. During the ordinary business session, three directors: Mr Abdulhamid Aliyu, Reverend Victor Abimbola Olaiya and Mrs. Adebisi Oluwayemisi Bakare were re-elected as Non-Executive Directors of the company. Also, PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) was approved as the company's external auditor in place of the retiring auditor EY (Ernst & Young).

Privatization: shareholders urge NAHCO to bid for airports Shareholders of the country’s leading ground handling firm, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (nahco aviance) have urged the management to bid for ownership and management of airport terminals following the planned privatisation of airport infrastructure by the federal government. The FG plans to privatize and concession Nigeria’s five major international airport terminals in order to improve their infrastructure and efficiency via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) strategy to be supervised by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Speaking at the 45th Annual General Meeting of nahco in Lagos, President of Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS) Dr. Farouk Umar while commending the company’s giant stride in the 2025 business year affirmed that “NAHCO has now reached a level that they can even provide the same services in other Afric...

NAHCO nets N64.82b in 2025 financial year ...Raises earnings per share by 36%

Image
  NAHCO nets N64.82b in 2025 financial year  ...Raises earnings per share by 36%  Caption of photo :  From Left : Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, NAHCO PLC,  Mr. Olumuyiwa Olumekun; Chairman, Mr. Seinde Oladapo Fadeni; Company Secretary, Mallam Bello Abdullahi; Vice Chairman, Mr. Akinwumi Fanimokun; Directors, Mr. Tajudeen Shobayo; Mrs. Abimbola Adebakin; Prof. Eyinna Okpara and Dr. Olusola Obabori at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Company in Lagos, May 15, 2026. Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (nahco aviance) Plc  has increased its total revenue by 22.93 per cent from N53. 54 billion in 2024 to N65. 82 billion in 2025.  In same year, Profit Before Tax jumped by 29.83 per cent to N24. 28 billion in 2025 as against N18. 702 billion in 2024. Profit After Tax grew by 36.02 per cent from N12. 87 billion in 2024 to N17.5 billion in 2025. In the same vein, earnings per share rose by 36.14 per cent from N6. 60 in 2024 to N8. 99 in...

WAISD2026: AIMAN Strengthens Profession, Aligns Operations With Global Best Practices

Image
 WAISD2026: AIMAN Strengthens Profession, Aligns Operations With Global Best Practices The President of Aeronautical Information Management Association of Nigeria (AIMAN), Dr Ibrahim Audu says, significant milestones have been achieved toward strengthening the profession and aligning operational standards with global best practices. Demonstrating purposeful leadership, strategic engagement, and commitment to the advancement of Aeronautical Information Management in the past two years, Dr Audu, in his message to mark the World AIS DAY (WAISD2026) celebration, explained, that with sustained engagements, technical consultations, and strategic advocacy, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), "recommend for AIM Certification instead of licensing benchmarking some countries currently operating the system like Kenya  Dr Audu, stated that  this feat followed the setting up of the Licensing Committee chaired by Comrade Afatakpa Patrick with the task of pursuing professional ...

NYSC DRUG-FREE CLUB MEMBERS TRAINED AS ANTI-DRUG ABUSE ADVOCATES IN EDO STATE

 NYSC DRUG-FREE CLUB MEMBERS TRAINED AS ANTI-DRUG ABUSE ADVOCATES IN EDO STATE The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has organised a capacity-building programme for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Drug Free Club from Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. The specialised one-day Anti-Drug Abuse Train the Trainer seminar took place at the NDLEA Edo State Command Headquarters in Benin City on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The delegation was received by the NDLEA Edo State Commander, Commander of Narcotics Mitchell Ofoyeju, PhD, who stated that the event is aimed at equipping corps members with knowledge and skills to lead drug abuse prevention efforts in their communities. Mitchell officially decorated the President of the Club, Pharmacist Patience Ichin, as a War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) partner. The club members were also presented with copies of the NDLEA Edo State Command Magazine as a resource for their advocacy work. During the ...

Air Peace offers clarification on flight disruption

 Air Peace offers clarification on flight disruption  Air Peace has offered clarifications on the circumstances responsible for the disruption of its London Gatwick service of May 13, 2026,  attributing it to  enroute access issues involving the airspace authorities of an African country. Disclosing this in a statement on Thursday, the airline as a result of the development and the need for immediate operational clarification with the relevant authorities, the aircraft safely returned to Lagos in accordance with established international aviation procedures. It said, the  London Gatwick service  was  consequently rescheduled while the matter was being resolved. Affected passengers , the statement added were promptly informed of the situation, while care arrangements, including communication updates, support services, and necessary assistance, were provided for their convenience. It reads :" We sincerely apologize  to all affected passengers for th...