Category: Nigerian Tribune

In a landmark development for global aviation safety, the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Montreal, Canada, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly held on September 25 to October 4, 2025.

The agreement, which is the first of its kind between two Regional Accident Investigation Organizations (RAIOs), underscores a new era of international cooperation in aircraft accidents and incident investigations. It reflects the growing recognition that safety challenges transcend borders and require stronger collaboration to strengthen aviation oversight.

The landmark agreement was signed by Commissioner BAGAIA, Charles Irikefe Erhueh and his counterpart IAC Chairman, Oleg Storchevoy in Montreal, Canada, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly on September 25, 2025.

The importance of this MoU lies in its comprehensive framework for cooperation, which extends far beyond symbolic partnership. It is designed to enhance collaboration between both bodies in areas of investigation and prevention, ensuring that technical expertise and resources are no longer confined by regional boundaries. Through this arrangement, BAGAIA and IAC can exchange technical know-how, specialist equipment, and training opportunities, while also promoting joint research into accident causation and emerging technologies in aviation safety. Such collaboration creates a platform for sharing best practices and safety data, enabling both regions to reduce the risk of accidents and raise safety standards in line with ICAO provisions.

Equally significant is the agreement’s focus on capacity building. By facilitating joint workshops, regional training seminars, and mentorship opportunities for investigators, the MoU seeks to strengthen the pool of safety professionals in both Africa and Eurasia. It further enhances global networking opportunities by linking two regional agencies across continents, thereby fostering a broader web of aviation safety cooperation that includes other civil aviation authorities and organizations. The harmonization of regulations and investigative practices also forms a cornerstone of this MoU, allowing for more efficient cross-border investigations while ensuring consistency in accident reporting and analysis.

The provisions of the MoU are built on clear commitments. Both parties have agreed to collaborate in the improvement of aircraft accident investigation, prevention, and training by exchanging expertise and promoting a harmonized approach to investigations in accordance with ICAO standards. They will also provide counseling during investigations, share technical support and data analysis, and encourage the participation of investigators in each other’s training initiatives. Importantly, the agreement is guided by principles of mutual respect, confidentiality, and independent financial responsibility, with mechanisms in place for contractual arrangements, dispute resolution, and adherence to international data protection practices.

The MoU is open-ended, taking effect immediately upon signing, with provisions for amendment where necessary. Either party may terminate it with one month’s notice, provided existing obligations are honored. This flexibility ensures that the framework remains adaptable to future challenges while sustaining the spirit of cooperation.

This MoU is a historic first for RAIOs worldwide. For the first time, two regional agencies have formally committed to a partnership that cuts across continents, providing a template for future inter-regional cooperation.

By pooling expertise from Africa and Eurasia, the collaboration not only enhances investigative capacity but also accelerates the global push towards harmonized aviation safety oversight under ICAO. Industry watchers say it represents the beginning of a new chapter in international aviation cooperation, one that may inspire similar agreements between other regional safety organizations in the future.

ACCORDING to the World Health Organisation, the population of older adults is projected to almost double by 2050. It is also projected that by 2050, 80% of older persons will live in low- and middle-income countries. Nigeria currently has the highest number of older persons in Africa and the 19th globally, with the number likely to triple by 2050. These statistics highlight older adults as an important part of the population whose health should be prioritised. Despite the rising population of older persons in our society, older adults’ health, especially mental health, continues to be shrouded in ignorance, shamed and stigmatised.

In the media, we often see cases of old women being burnt to death or isolated after being accused of being witches. We also see older adults begging to survive, homeless older adults, and the elderly living alone in dilapidated houses. Many people will admit to seeing older adults struggling with their mental health, exhibiting signs of cognitive decline or psychosis, and so on.

The United Nations designated October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons in celebration of older adults and to increase awareness of the challenges and opportunities of population ageing. This year, the theme is ‘Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being and Our Rights’. This theme recognises older adults as active participants in their community initiatives and global efforts. It also spotlights the importance of advocating for the aspirations, inclusion, and rights of older adults. It also reminds us of the importance of fostering the well-being of older adults.

Despite the contributions of older adults to society, they continue to face systemic challenges that negatively influence their well-being and compromise their rights. Ageism, the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination of older adults based on their age, remains a major obstacle to older adults. Many older adults are often isolated, as they are considered too old to participate in certain activities. This isolation deprives them of social support, which is proven to be a positive predictor of mental health.

Access to adequate and quality healthcare is another pressing concern. Many older adults live with chronic illness, mobility challenges, cognitive decline, and other health concerns. Loneliness, depression, psychosis, and other mental health challenges are also common among older adults, particularly among those living alone. The current wave of ‘japa’, with many youths emigrating to other countries, frequently results in situations where aged parents have no close family members around them in old age. Furthermore, the low number of healthcare professionals in Nigeria also implies that there are few healthcare professionals skilled in providing geriatric care, thereby limiting access to healthcare for older adults.

Financial insecurity is another challenge many older adults experience. With no income, meagre or inconsistent pensions and poor health insurance, many older adults are left struggling. It is common knowledge that social protection for the elderly in Nigeria is mostly nonexistent. With increasing life expectancies and harsh economic realities, we have to address this problem.

Furthermore, elder abuse – which may be physical, emotional, or financial – remains an underreported and under-addressed crisis. According to the WHO, 1 in 6 people aged 60 years and older experience some form of abuse, a number expected to rise as populations age further.

The Well-being of Older Persons: Everyone’s Responsibility

Promoting the well-being and rights of older persons is a shared societal responsibility. From the government, families, and communities to schools, businesses, and civil society organizations, everyone has a role to play in creating environments where older persons can thrive with dignity.

The government must lead the way in implementing the National Policy on Ageing for Older Persons in Nigeria, which was ratified by the Federal Executive Council in February 2021. Government at all levels must also increase funding for health and the recruitment of healthcare professionals at all cadres.

But the role of the government alone is not enough. Civil society organisations, including elder care institutions, religious groups, and advocacy networks, are essential in raising awareness, providing services, and mobilizing public support for age-inclusive well-being initiatives. These groups can help amplify the voices of older persons and ensure they are not just beneficiaries of aid but active participants in shaping policies that affect their lives. These groups must also foster awareness and support for older adults’ health.

Perhaps most importantly, younger generations must be engaged in fostering intergenerational solidarity and communities. Through mentorship programmes, volunteer initiatives, and shared community spaces, people of all ages can build bridges of empathy, respect, and cooperation. The strength of a society is often measured by how it treats its elders, honouring their experiences, learning from their wisdom, and protecting their rights, which is a mark of true progress. Asido Foundation is leading these efforts through targeted advocacy and interventions.

As we reflect on this year’s theme, ‘Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action’, it becomes clear that the empowerment of older people is a necessity, not a luxury. Ensuring their well-being and rights today helps build the inclusive, resilient societies of tomorrow.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering Nigerian women through the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing women as crucial to nation-building.

Speaking at the 9th edition of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW 2025), held on the eve of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, praised the resilience and contributions of Nigerian women to national development.

‘Our ever-supportive and resilient Nigerian women, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I salute the 9th Edition of the Voice of Women Conference. The story of our nation is incomplete without the strength of her women,’ Tinubu said.

Guided by this year’s theme, ‘Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action’, he emphasised that his administration stands resolute in empowering women as protectors of families, drivers of innovation, and catalysts for building a one trillion-dollar economy.

Vice President Kashim Shettima echoed the President’s message, describing the theme as both ‘timely and timeless.’

He noted that women remain the backbone of the nation’s resilience and the vanguard of its future.

‘Under the steadfast leadership of Mr. President, we remain committed to unlocking the full potential of Nigerian women as builders of families, leaders of enterprise, and key drivers of national renewal,’ Shettima said.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, in her keynote address, highlighted the importance of the Reserved Seats Bill, describing it as a strategic necessity rather than an act of benevolence. She said the bill would align Nigeria with international best practices and institutionalise women’s participation in governance.

She commended President Tinubu for prioritising women, children, and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Agenda, and applauded the leadership of the 10th National Assembly for supporting the bill.

The Convener of the VOW Conference and Awards, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, urged President Tinubu to ensure the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill, saying history would remember his administration and the 10th Assembly as champions of women’s rights.

‘Your leadership is needed to turn promises into policy and back words with action. The passage of the bill is a crucial step towards promoting gender balance and inclusive governance in Nigeria,’ she said.

Sonaiya noted that grassroots women hold the largest voting bloc but often have their political choices shaped by men, calling for stronger collective action among women regardless of political, ethnic, or economic differences.

Also speaking, the President of the League of Women Voters, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, raised concerns over the increasing deaths of female political leaders, particularly in Lagos State, warning that insecurity, stress, and intimidation continue to discourage women from public service.

‘When women are absent in governance, our democracy is weakened. When leadership becomes a graveyard for women, who will dare to walk the path tomorrow?’ she asked.

Tragedy struck in Bauchi on Friday when a middle-aged woman, believed to be mentally unstable, set herself ablaze inside the family house of Nigeria’s late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

The woman, said to be the daughter of a late Sharia court judge in Bauchi, was rescued by bystanders and rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where she later died of severe burns.

Eyewitnesses said the woman had arrived at the residence in a commercial tricycle carrying a gallon of petrol. Upon entry, she reportedly asked to see Yelwa Abubakar Balewa, one of the late Prime Minister’s daughters and Chairperson of the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA).

When told that Yelwa was not at home, the woman allegedly poured petrol on herself at the main entrance and struck a match. Attempts by onlookers to extinguish the flames worsened the fire, leaving her with extensive burns.

The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, described it as ‘most unfortunate,’ noting that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had ordered a discreet investigation.

‘On the 26th of September, at about 11:05 a.m., an unidentified woman, who is now deceased, went to the family house of late Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. After being told the person she sought was not at home, she brought out a gallon of petrol and set herself ablaze,’ Wakil said.

He added that the woman was rescued alive and admitted at ATBUTH, where police recorded her statement before her death. During interrogation, she reportedly claimed she did not know the liquid she carried was petrol, insisting she thought it was water.

Investigations later revealed that she had a history of mental illness, which developed after the birth of her last child, according to neighbours and acquaintances.

Her body has since been released to her family for burial. The Police Command expressed condolences, praying for the family’s strength to bear the loss.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has been conferred with the traditional title of Sarauniyar Yaki, the Queen Warrior of Akko Emirate in Gombe State.

The honour, in recognition of her passion for defending the interests of the weak across the nation, was conferred on her by the Lamido Akko, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Atiku, during her two-day working visit to the state.

Acknowledging the recognition, the First Lady pledged to sustain her intervention for the girl child and further enlisted the support of traditional rulers in the state to drive her advocacy.

Her conferment ceremony was witnessed by the State governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya and the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo

While in the state, the First Lady will perform the national launch of Renewed Hope Initiative Flow With Confidence, a vital menstrual health intervention for school girls.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Engr. Mahmoud Ben Tukur on his re-election to Part II of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence in global aviation governance.

Ben Tukur, a highly respected aviation professional and former General Manager of Airworthiness Standards at the NCAA, secured his seat during elections held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the ongoing 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada. His re-election marks another three-year term for Nigeria on the prestigious 36-member ICAO Council, alongside leading aviation nations such as Egypt, South Africa, India, Spain, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.

Speaking on the achievement, the NCAA highlighted Engr. Ben Tukur’s track record in advancing air safety, regulatory standards, and operational excellence. His leadership is expected to continue shaping key ICAO policies, promoting international collaboration, and ensuring that Nigeria remains a central voice in global aviation decision-making.

This accomplishment reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing civil aviation standards, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and participating actively in international dialogues that define the future of air transport. Engr. Ben Tukur’s re-election is seen as a strategic win, reflecting both his personal expertise and Nigeria’s credibility within the global aviation community.

The NCAA affirmed its unwavering support for Engr. Ben Tukur as he embarks on this renewed mandate, confident that his contributions will further elevate Nigeria’s profile in the global aviation sector and strengthen partnerships with ICAO member states.

Mahmoud Ben Tukur has been re-elected to the ICAO Council, ensuring Nigeria’s continued influence in global aviation. NCAA congratulates him on this milestone.

In a ceremony that also marked Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu was officially recommissioned on 1 October 2025 and renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, following a multi-year public-private restoration.

The restored complex, whose silhouette has been preserved while its interiors were transformed, now houses world-class performance halls, cinema spaces, exhibition galleries, an African literature library, rehearsal rooms, media and medical facilities, landscaped grounds, and direct integration with the Lagos Blue Line rail.

Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said the project was delivered through an extraordinary partnership between the Central Bank, the Bankers’ Committee, the Federal Government, and the Lagos State Government. He noted that the Bankers’ Committee committed approximately ?68 billion to the project, framing the funding as a deliberate investment in the nation’s cultural future rather than a mere act of corporate social responsibility.

‘This is more than a renovation; it is a rebirth,’ Mr Cardoso said, adding that the centre must be protected to prevent a return to years of neglect.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State described the reopening as a homecoming for a city that hosted FESTAC ’77. He said the state played a key role by ensuring a dedicated Blue Line stop and contributing additional land to expand the creative hub. ‘Today’s commissioning is only the beginning,’ he said, urging that the complex become a focal point for artistic excellence and urban renewal.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who performed the commissioning, urged Nigerians to speak positively about the country and to ‘lift Nigeria’ by believing in its potential. The President also pledged to contribute to an endowment fund to guarantee maintenance, accessibility, and job creation at the centre.

Professor Wole Soyinka, who expressed mixed feelings about having his name affixed to a public monument, accepted the honour and reflected on the theatre’s storied past, from its 1976 completion and FESTAC ’77 glory to the decades of decline that preceded the restoration. ‘If a group of bankers got together, using some of my money also. in order to honour me, what’s wrong with that?’ he joked, before urging that the centre serve future generations of artists.

Officials and cultural stakeholders lauded the project as a tangible union of culture and commerce, an effort to harness Nigeria’s creative industries for jobs, revenue, and soft power. With renewed facilities and a declared commitment to upkeep, the Wole Soyinka Centre is being positioned as a national landmark intended to keep Nigeria’s creative voice on the global stage.

The former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andy Yakubu, has described the death of the mother of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, as a national tragedy.

Yakubu stated this during a condolence visit to Prof. Yilwatda at his residence in Abuja over the weekend.

He said the passing of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, who died at the age of 83 at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, was a painful national loss.

‘The late Mama Lydia was a devoted Christian, a virtuous woman leader, and a pillar of the Church of Christ in Nations. Her death is not only a personal loss to the National Chairman but also to the entire APC family in Plateau State and across the country,’ Yakubu said.

He noted that Mama Lydia, together with her late husband, Reverend Toma Goshewe Yilwatda, made significant contributions to the growth of the church in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Plateau States.

‘There is no doubt that Mama’s passing is painful and devastating to the Yilwatda family, especially at a time when her motherly advice and prayers were most needed, particularly by Professor Yilwatda. Her demise is a great loss to the Church, the Women’s Fellowship, and Plateau State,’ he added.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has said that the process for the appointment of judicial officers in the country now enjoys greater transparency.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, who is also the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), said this while presenting a paper, titled: ‘Innovations in judicial practice: Embracing change for a better future,’ at the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association Triennial Conference held in Banjul, The Gambia.

A statement by the media aide to the CJN, Mr Tobi Soniyi on Thursday, said the NJC, at its 108th meeting held between April 29 and 30 approved a landmark policy to publish the names of candidates under consideration for appointment as judicial officers and to invite public input.

The CJN, in her presentation, explained that, the policy adopted by the NJC was to introduce an additional layer of transparency into the process of appointing judges by ensuring that members of the public and other relevant stakeholders can raise objections, provide information, or endorse nominees before appointments are finalized.

According to her, it is a deliberate effort to strengthen accountability, enhance public trust, and align Nigeria’s appointment procedures more closely with international best practices, including those recommended in the Constitution Hill Guidelines.

The Constitution Hill Global Guidelines on Apex Court Appointments, published in September 2024, provide globally for a set of baseline principles tailored to the singular role of apex courts as the final arbiters of constitutional interpretation and guardians of democratic governance.

Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that, members of the public are already taking advantage of the initiative as shown in the last exercise for the appointment of judicial officers conducted by the NJC.

In her words, ‘In a plural society such as Nigeria, with over 200 million citizens across different ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities, the visibility of diversity on the Supreme Court bench strengthens public confidence and assures citizens that the judiciary reflects the society it serves.’

The CJN noted that despite several efforts to strengthen appointment of judicial officers, challenges still remain, some of the challenges she said, include executive delays in acting on recommendations for appointments made by the NJC, which could impair the court’s capacity to sit at full strength.

Other challenges, she added, include the requirement for security vetting and the interpretation of federal character requirements, which often sparks debate about whether merit is being compromised for inclusivity.

The CJN however, assured the audience, among whom were Chief Justices of Commonwealth countries, that Nigeria will continue to appoint to the Bench only people who satisfy constitutional, professional, and ethical standards.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday in Abuja by his spokesperson, Mr Stanley Nkwocha.

According to Nkwocha, Shettima delivered President Tinubu’s national statement at the UNGA, where he called for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, advocated for Africa’s sovereignty over its estimated 700 billion dollars’ worth of mineral resources, and advanced strategic partnerships with the United Kingdom, the Gates Foundation, and other international stakeholders.

He added that the Vice President also met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commended Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council.

‘The Vice-President also showcased the country’s 200 billion dollars energy transition opportunity to global investors. He also assured the Nigerian diaspora community of robust engagement in the President Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes before his engagements in Germany,’ Nkwocha said.