Category: Nigerian Tribune

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially declared open the maiden Gombe Health Summit.

In her remarks, she commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his bold and visionary reforms, which, according to her, have repositioned the state’s health sector as a model for the nation.

The First Lady described the health policies of the Inuwa Yahaya administration as transformational and trailblazing.

She pointed to the expansion of primary health centres, the modernisation of hospitals across the three senatorial districts, and the innovative approach to tackling child malnutrition as clear evidence of the Governor’s commitment to building a workable and sustainable health system.

‘What I have learnt today is truly impressive. Even Bill Gates once attested to Gombe State’s problem-solving mindset and its commitment to results. We see that here again today, and we are proud of what Governor Inuwa Yahaya is doing. I believe Mr President is equally proud,’ she said.

Senator Tinubu also praised the Governor for his recent decision to improve salaries for health workers, describing the gesture as a mark of transparent and accountable leadership. She expressed hope that the Governor’s legacies in the health sector would be sustained for years to come.

In his keynote address, Governor Inuwa Yahaya recalled the difficult situation his administration met in 2019, when the health sector was underfunded, infrastructure dilapidated, personnel overstretched, and health indicators far below the national average.

He explained that at the time, only 3.5 per cent of the state’s budget was allocated to health, while the Abuja Declaration recommended 15 per cent.

According to him, access to healthcare was largely dependent on the ability to pay, and the absence of proper oversight and coordination left the system fragmented and ineffective.

Faced with these realities, he declared a state of emergency in the health sector in 2019, a step which marked the beginning of what he described as a new era of transformation.

He noted that the results of the 2023 National Demographic and Health Survey speak to the success of these reforms, with immunisation coverage rising from 18 per cent in 2018 to 49 per cent in 2023, DPT3 coverage increasing from 26 to 60 per cent, deliveries by skilled birth attendants improving from 21 to 38 per cent, and the use of modern contraceptives by women of childbearing age growing from 16 to 30 per cent.

The Governor further highlighted landmark achievements, including the revitalisation of 228 primary healthcare centres across the state, each equipped to provide 24-hour services with solar power, boreholes, and staff quarters; the recruitment and deployment of hundreds of health workers to underserved communities; the remodelling of general hospitals in Kumo, Bajoga, and Kaltungo; and the transformation of Gombe Specialist Hospital, which now trains house officers and residents in accredited postgraduate programmes.

He also pointed to the construction of a 200-bed ultra-modern hospital in Kumo, which has since been converted to a Federal Medical Centre by the Federal Government.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya also spoke of institutional reforms, including the establishment of a Hospitals Management Board and the introduction of biometric attendance systems, which uncovered 440 ghost workers and saved the state over N4.5 billion.

He noted the establishment of the Gombe State Contributory Health Scheme, which has enrolled more than 380,000 residents and provided coverage to over 100,000 vulnerable people, and the creation of GoPharma, a pharmaceutical company designed to make quality medicines affordable and, in the long term, to produce drugs locally.

In a major announcement at the summit, the Governor approved the immediate implementation of the CONMESS and CONHESS salary structures for all health workers in Gombe State, effective November 2025.

He explained that this intervention, at a cost of N250 million monthly or N3 billion annually, represents a direct investment in the welfare of health professionals.

‘This commitment comes with a call to all health workers to match our efforts with renewed commitment, productivity, and professionalism in service to our people,’ he stated.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, commended the timing of the summit, describing it as aligned with the Federal Government’s current investments in the sector.

He said the reforms implemented in Gombe have already yielded measurable results in reducing maternal morbidity and child mortality, while strengthening infrastructure and manpower.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, described the summit as a reflection of the priority Governor Inuwa Yahaya places on healthcare.

He emphasised that the administration has successfully repositioned the sector to meet the health needs of the people in a sustainable and holistic manner.

Highlight of the opening session was the unveiling of the Gombe State Health Workforce Strategic Development Plan 2025-2030 by the First Lady.

Nigeria’s aviation industry has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1925 when the first aircraft, a Royal Air Force plane, landed in Kano.

Today, it stands as a testament to the nation’s ambition and resilience, with a rich history that spans over nine decades. As the country celebrates its 65th independence anniversary, the aviation industry has become a vital component of Nigeria’s economy and development.

The industry’s growth has been remarkable, with the establishment of Nigerian Airways in 1958 marking the beginning of commercial aviation in the country. Although the airline collapsed in 2003 due to mismanagement and financial troubles, the private sector quickly stepped in to fill the void.

First, it was airlines like Aero Contractor that broke the national carrier’s monopoly in 1960, followed by Okada Air in 1983 and ADC in 1984. Airlines like Arik Air, Air Peace, and Dana Air thereafter emerged to offer new hope for the industry’s future at the demise of Nigeria Airways.

Air Peace, now uncontestably the largest domestic airlines in the country, has grown its fleet and network, and is providing reliable domestic flights and international routes to destinations in West Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. There is also ValueJet which is showing considerable strength on the regional wing, just as we are witnessing a revolution of state-owned airlines springing up in droves in the country.

By and large, the industry’s growth has had a profound impact on Nigeria’s economy, creating jobs, generating revenue, and contributing to the nation’s GDP.

However, despite its growth, Nigeria’s aviation industry still faces challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, safety concerns, and regulatory issues. To address these challenges, the present government has been supportive to the regulatory agencies like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure safety and efficiency in the industry.

But as the industry continues to grow and expand, it is essential to prioritize safety, efficiency, and innovation to ensure its sustainability and contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.

With the right support and infrastructure in place, the aviation industry is poised to play an even more significant role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

The aviation industry’s impact on Nigeria’s economy cannot be overstated. According to a study, the industry has encouraged employment and revenue generation, and its growth has had a positive impact on the nation’s socio-political landscape. The industry’s growth has also facilitated international relations, diplomacy, and foreign policy, making it a vital component of Nigeria’s economic development.

In recent years, the industry has seen significant growth, with the emergence of new airlines and the expansion of existing ones. This growth has led to increased competition, which has resulted in better services. The industry’s growth has also led to the creation of new jobs, both directly and indirectly, contributing to the nation’s economic development.

Despite the challenges facing the industry, stakeholders are optimistic about its future. The government has taken steps to address some of the challenges, including aiding of commercial airlines to access dry lease overseas to cushion the effects of the harsh economy on their operations. The ‘Fly Nigeria’ policy of the present administration is also a potent device to shore up the financial base of the local carriers, if effectively implemented.

The industry’s growth has also been driven by the private sector, with airlines like Air Peace, ValueJet, Ibom Air etc, investing heavily in the industry.

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th independence anniversary, the aviation industry has proven itself to be a vital component of the nation’s economy and development. With its rich history and growth, the industry is poised to play an even more significant role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

However, to achieve this, the stakeholders have to eschew pettiness and be ready to work together to address the industry’s challenges and unlock its full potential.

As the industry continues to grow and expand, what should be of priority now are: safety, efficiency, and innovation to ensure its sustainability and contribution to Nigeria’s economic development. There should be an abrupt stop to window dressing and corner cutting that create a living and healthy façade while the content is hogwash.

With the right support and infrastructure in place, the aviation industry is poised to soar to new heights, driving economic growth and putting Nigeria on the global map.

HAVING a baby is a life-changing experience. Being a parent is exciting but can also be tiring and overwhelming. It’s normal to have feelings of worry or doubt, especially if this is the first time. But if the feelings include extreme sadness or loneliness, frequent crying, fatigue, guilt and anxiety, it may be because of postpartum depression.

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that happens after giving birth. It affects up to 15% of women. It’s common to experience hormonal, physical, emotional, financial and social changes after having a baby. However, these changes can cause symptoms of postpartum depression.

Preventive interventions are crucial in addressing postpartum anxiety and depression. However, the use of psychoactive drugs by nursing mothers can cause several problems, such as severe sleepiness, decreased response to cries, changes in s3xual function, fatigue, confusion, and low blood pressure.

These drugs also have sedative effects on the infant who receives breast milk. Therefore, their use during breastfeeding is limited.

While some mothers may choose not to take medication during breastfeeding due to concerns about potential side effects on their babies, herbal remedies, including curcumin, have garnered attention for their potential therapeutic benefits.

Turmeric is an edible root used in cooking. It’s powdered into a bright yellow spice popular in Asian cuisine. Turmeric also has a history of medicinal use. It contains an active compound, curcumin, that has also been used for many years in the treatment of various diseases.

Additionally, epidemiological studies have indicated that individuals who consume curcumin daily exhibit better brain function and higher cognitive abilities.

Research has found that curcumin has the potential to improve a number of health conditions, including depression. This includes postpartum depression and anxiety in first-time mothers.

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Iran had provided strong evidence that curcumin can be a beneficial and accessible complementary treatment for managing postpartum depression and anxiety in new mothers, offering a valuable alternative where conventional treatments may be restricted.

It found that curcumin effectively reduces postpartum anxiety and depression, suggesting it can improve the mental health and quality of life for first-time mothers.

The trial published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies included 96 first-time mothers in Tabriz City, Iran, who were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (48 women) or a control group (48 women) using a random block method.

The intervention group received 500 mg curcumin capsules, while the control group received a placebo, both taken once daily after meals for eight weeks starting seven days after delivery.

They were all women aged 18 or older, residing in Tabriz City, with no chronic liver/kidney disease, no history of depression or other mental disorders, no alcohol/drug consumption, no natural birth or caesarean section within the last 12 hours, and not taking drugs causing depressive symptoms.

The women were contacted weekly by phone to check on the baby’s weight and remind them to track capsule use and report side effects.

Depression was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and anxiety was measured with the postpartum-specific Anxiety Scale Research Short-Form (PSAS-RSF).

The study found significant reductions in both depression and anxiety scores in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group. Four individuals in the curcumin group and one in the placebo group reported gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and stomach pain.

It therefore suggested curcumin’s potential as a cost-effective and accessible adjunctive therapy due to its efficacy, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, particularly given the limitations of conventional medications during breastfeeding.

They declared that further large-scale clinical trials are recommended to validate its efficacy in diverse populations and establish standardised guidelines for clinical use.

Curcumin supplementation may serve as a beneficial non-pharmacological intervention for postpartum women by promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and supporting reproductive health. Its multifaceted properties can address various postpartum challenges, making it a valuable addition to recovery strategies.

A study found that curcumin application led to a greater reduction in wound healing scores, particularly for perineal repair after episiotomy, compared to traditional treatments like povidone-iodine.

Curcumin influences hormonal balance and ovarian function, potentially aiding in the recovery of reproductive health post-delivery.

Its ability to modulate hormonal pathways may support women experiencing reproductive disorders, thus enhancing overall well-being during the period after child birth.

While curcumin shows promise as a supportive intervention for women after childbirth, it is essential to consider that individual responses may vary, and further research is needed to establish standardised guidelines for its use in this population.

The Nigerian equities market began the new month on a positive note, extending its bullish momentum as renewed investor interest lifted the benchmark index.

At the close of trading on Wednesday, the All-Share Index (ASI) rose by 0.19 per cent to 142,979.45 basis points, pushing the year-to-date return to 38.91 per cent.

Market capitalisation of equities on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) also advanced by N170 billion to settle at N90.75 trillion.

Analysts said the broad-based gains signalled sustained buying interest in financial and consumer names, particularly GTCO, which rose 2.1 per cent, MTN Nigeria, which added 0.5 per cent, and Aradel Holdings, which gained 0.1 per cent, helping drive the ASI higher.

The upbeat sentiment was reflected in market breadth, which closed positive as 34 stocks gained against 25 losers, indicating sustained optimism over earnings expectations and macroeconomic fundamentals.

In the performance board, PZ Cussons went up by 10.0 per cent and Eterna appreciated by 9.9 per cent, topping the gainers’ chart, alongside Champion Breweries, Tantalizer, and AIICO Insurance.

On the flip side, RT Briscoe was down by 9.9 per cent; Thomas Wyatt declined 9.8 per cent; Sovereign Insurance, International Energy Insurance, and Berger Paints all led the laggards team.

Sectoral performance was largely upbeat, with Insurance, Consumer Goods, Banking and Oil and Gas closing in the green by 0.42 per cent, 0.35 per cent, 0.17 per cent and 0.12 per cent, respectively. The Commodities index edged higher by 0.01 per cent, while Industrial Goods remained flat, shedding just 0.02 per cent.

Trading activity surged significantly, underscoring renewed liquidity inflows. Total deals increased by 16.68 per cent to 32,682, while trading volume spiked 402.5 per cent to 6.23 billion units. The value of transactions also jumped 82.57 per cent to N54.45 billion. Cornerstone Insurance dominated the charts as the most traded stock, accounting for 5.45 billion units valued at N25.06 billion.

With October now underway, analysts project that sentiment could remain buoyant if macroeconomic reforms continue to attract both domestic and offshore inflows.

The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, has called on West African countries to accelerate the integration of their capital markets, describing it as a crucial step toward mobilising large-scale investment for regional development.

Speaking in Abuja, Thursday at the Experts Meeting on the Validation of the WASRA Charter and Recognition of the West Africa Securities Regulators Association (WASRA) as the regulatory body for cross-border securities in ECOWAS, Agama, who also chairs WASRA, said the initiative marks ‘a watershed moment’ in the region’s financial history.

He noted that West Africa faces pressing challenges, including infrastructure gaps, climate adaptation, digital transformation and job creation, which require financing far beyond the capacity of individual national markets.

‘An integrated regional capital market is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity,’ he stated.

Agama lamented the slow pace of regional integration, stressing that Africa’s infrastructure financing gap exceeds $100 billion annually, while West Africa alone requires tens of billions to modernise transport corridors, upgrade energy systems and expand digital infrastructure.

Without integrated markets, he warned, governments and businesses would remain constrained by limited fiscal space and costly borrowing.

Drawing lessons from the European Union and ASEAN, he argued that harmonised regulations and investor confidence are essential to unlocking capital flows across borders.

‘Potential means little without decisive action,’ Agama said, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, digital innovation, fintech, and youth empowerment that could benefit from pooled regional capital.

He outlined WASRA’s mandate to drive integration through harmonised regulation, mutual assistance, and common projects. ‘Integration is not only about policy declarations; it is about practical collaboration and shared initiatives that deliver results,’ he stressed, urging ECOWAS finance ministers to demonstrate the political will required.

Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Mr. Wale Edun, represented by Mr. Hassan Adamu Jibrin, described the WASRA Charter validation as a critical step toward harmonised regulation and sustainable market development in the sub-region.

Similarly, ECOWAS Commission’s Acting Director for the Private Sector, Mr. Peter Oluonye, emphasised that breaking down barriers to capital movement through common standards, interlinked trading systems and unified governance frameworks was vital to financing the region’s economic aspirations.

The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) has reported an impressive N30.47 billion operating profit for the year ended 2024, a significant increase from N13.75 billion in the previous year.

Also, NEXIM Bank has been assigned a Bbb+ rating by leading credit rating agency Agusto and Co. Limited, affirming its satisfactory financial condition and strong capacity to meet obligations relative to other development finance institutions (DFIs) in Nigeria.

The Bank’s growth underscores its financial resilience and operational efficiency.

Established to promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports and support import-substituting businesses, NEXIM is fully owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through equal shareholding by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI).

The Bank has maintained strong liquidity and capital adequacy ratios, with notable growth in its loan book and equity instruments.

Key sectors supported include manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals, and services.

According to Managing Director Mr. Abba Bello, NEXIM has intensified its intervention in the non-oil export sector, disbursing over N495 billion, which has led to the creation and sustenance of over 36,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Key initiatives currently being driven by the Bank include: ‘The Regional Sealink Project: A public-private partnership aimed at improving maritime logistics across West and Central Africa. Promotion of Factoring Services: Providing alternative export financing options for SMEs.

‘Joint Project Preparation Fund (JPPF): Launched in partnership with Afreximbank to enhance the bankability of export projects.’

Additionally, NEXIM is developing tailored financing schemes for the mining sector, including Contract Mining, Equipment Leasing, and Buyers’ Credit/ECA Financing, designed to unlock export potential and boost foreign exchange earnings.

NEXIM Bank said it remains committed to building local processing capacity and advancing Nigeria’s position in global trade by moving up the commodity value chain and enhancing non-oil export revenue.

President Bola Tinubu has said that the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day military parade gave him the opportunity to rest well and enjoy a ‘nice breakfast’ on Wednesday.

The Federal Government had earlier announced the cancellation of the parade scheduled for October 1.

In a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, it was explained that the decision ‘is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary.’

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Speaking at the unveiling of the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, Tinubu said the cancellation gave him a break from the ‘monotony’ of the usual military parade.

‘I’m more than grateful for tonight. I enjoyed the evening. Happy 65th Independence Anniversary. This has broken the monotony of military march-past, parade and everything.

‘By cancelling this programme, I was able to have a good sleep, have a nice breakfast and wait for this evening. And the evening is well spent,’ he said.

Tinubu arrived at the venue at about 6:24 p.m. for the reopening ceremony of the monument, which was funded and overseen by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee.

The president had in July renamed the edifice after Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, describing him as ‘one of the greatest assets of the world, Africa and Nigeria.’

‘So, it couldn’t have been anything else and I know definitely you (referring to Soyinka) will not disobey this president. I said it has to be Wole Soyinka Centre,’ Tinubu added.

The unveiling was attended by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin; Speaker Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu; the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; and Wole Soyinka himself, who was the host of the occasion.

As FG brokers truce over dispute

THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced the suspension of its nationwide strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, stressing that the action was taken strictly out of respect for the Federal Government and its institutions involved in the conciliation process.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo, made it clear that the union was dissatisfied with the terms of the agreement brokered between the parties, particularly as it failed to address their key demand, which is the immediate reinstatement of over 800 Nigerian workers allegedly sacked by the refinery.

He warned that the union would not hesitate to resume the suspended strike without notice if the Dangote management defaults on its commitments.

The Federal Government had, on Tuesday, brokered a truce between PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The truce was contained in a communiqué issued and signed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari-Dingyadi, at the end of a two-day conciliation meeting and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

The meeting, which was held on Monday and Tuesday, brought together the National Security Adviser (NSA), Ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and State for Petroleum (Gas), alongside the DSS, NIA, NNPCL, NMDPRA, NUPRC and labour leaders.

However, PENGASSAN President said: ‘We are not happy with the terms of the agreement because it did not capture our main demand of recalling the 800 sacked Nigerians. But out of respect for government institutions, for the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Chief Reconciliator of the Federation, and ministers who worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning to mediate, we decided to suspend the action. However, let me be clear: if Dangote fails to keep its part, we will resume immediately, without any warning.’

The union leader expressed deep reservations about the sincerity of the refinery management, saying PENGASSAN has ‘mutual suspicion’ that Dangote will attempt to renege on the deal. ‘We know that Dangote does not play by the rules or respect agreements. We believe and suspect that some of the promises extracted during the negotiations will not be honoured. But because we respect due process and institutions of government, we will give them that benefit of doubt. Yet, any breach will be met with severe and immediate response,’ he said.

Responding to widespread allegations that the union’s insistence on reinstating the 800 sacked workers was driven by a desire to secure check-off dues, Osifo dismissed the claims as ‘laughable and mischievous.’ According to him, the salaries of the affected workers are meagre compared to the earnings of PENGASSAN members in other multinational oil companies, making such accusations baseless.

‘So we clearly ask, is it because of check-off dues that PENGASSAN went on strike? The salaries being paid to these 800 members, if you add them all together, are less than what 20 of our members earn in companies like Chevron, TotalEnergies, or ExxonMobil. Their check-off dues are not even up to the check-off dues of our least-paid members elsewhere. So why should we be chasing this because of dues? It is actually about the freedom of association and the welfare of our members, because when we enter organisations, we improve conditions of service, and that is why workers subscribe to us,’ he explained.

Osifo further argued that PENGASSAN had a long record of defending workers’ rights without stifling the companies where its members operate, citing the example of Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil which have thrived despite having thousands of PENGASSAN members. ‘At one time, Shell had over 10,000 of our members, and they invested more than $200 billion in Nigeria. Did we kill Shell? Instead, we assisted Shell, TotalEnergies, and ExxonMobil to grow. We are not out to kill Dangote Refinery, which has barely invested $20 billion. That narrative is false,’ he said.

He stressed that the oil and gas workforce has carried the burden of Nigeria’s economy for decades, providing over 90 percent of the nation’s foreign exchange earnings. ‘We know who we are and what we stand for. We are patriots who love this country more than any single individual, and that is why, despite our reservations, we chose to suspend this strike in deference to government efforts,’ Osifo maintained.

While thanking the government officials and agencies that intervened in the dispute, he reiterated PENGASSAN’s vigilance. ‘We will be monitoring closely. Any slip, any breach, any part of this agreement that is not kept, we will not issue further notice. We will not give any warning. We will resume the suspended industrial action immediately. That is our resolution,’ he warned.

Osifo concluded by affirming that PENGASSAN’s struggle is not against progress but against injustice, and that the union will remain steadfast in defending the rights and welfare of its members, no matter whose interest is at stake.

It will be recalled that the conciliation was convened after PENGASSAN directed its members to stop gas supply and withdraw services from the refinery.

The union had accused the company of terminating the employment of more than 800 of its members, which triggered the industrial action.

Dangote Refinery, however, explained that the disengagement of workers was due to an ongoing restructuring exercise in the company.

According to the communiqué, the meeting resolved that unionisation is a fundamental right of workers under Nigerian law and must be respected by the company.

It was further agreed that the management of Dangote Group should immediately begin the redeployment of the affected workers into other subsidiaries within the group without any loss of pay.

The meeting also resolved that no worker would be victimised for participating in the dispute between PENGASSAN and the company.

PENGASSAN in turn agreed to commence the process of calling off its strike, while both parties pledged to implement the resolutions in good faith.

Captain Bunmi Gindeh of the National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), has emerged the president of the National Association of Air Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) beating his rival, Francis Igwe, an aircraft engineer with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

ýThe election took place on Friday, September 27th I. Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, with Gindeh polling 51 polling while Igwe got 17 votes.

ýMudi Muhammad, an aircraft engineer at Arik Air, emerged the national deputy president. He had no opponent. While Adewale Adenugba won a second time as the first trustee.

ýOther elective positions were financial secretary, won by Edwin Udoh, Publicity Secretary, won by Blessing Ahmadu, Michael Nicholas won the position of second trustee.

ýSpeaking after emerging victorious, Gindeh expressed appreciation to the outgoing administration, saying they worked very hard to achieve a lot. ‘I must commend my predecessor, Abednego Galadima, for taking the initiative to set up a training institute. It was an amazing idea and we will work very hard to utilise that facility to meet with international standards. He performed well and we owe him a lot of gratitude,’ he said.

On how his campaign played out, he said: ‘There was an intensive campaign before now but we went to all the various chapters and spoke to them on why they should vote for us. We are a team. It wasn’t just me, the deputy president was the engine room of my campaign and I appreciate the work he put in.

ý’During the campaign, we talked about the welfare of our members and we would be pushing for standardised contracts across board like we have abroad. We are also going to advocate for safety for our members. We will also improve our secretariat so that it can be up to date.

ýý’One of the issues that came up during the campaign was that pilots would not have the time to carry out union functions but the beautiful thing which I have learned is to delegate responsibilities to my team. We would get more done that way. I was in the NCAA but was seconded to the NSIB, so my chapter is the NSIB. The public service rule is very clear on that,’ he said.

ýýMohammed who emerged as his deputy, expressed happiness, saying he is excited to work with someone whom he has always wanted to work with. ‘I want to work with Capt. Gimdeh because he has a big vision for NAAPE. The outgoing leadership has done their best and we are grateful to them. We are going to build on the foundation they have laid You can see that we don’t have anything pilots in the association but he has said that his goal is to bring in more pilots,’ he said.

ýIgwe, who conceded defeat, congratulated Gindeh and pledged to work to ensure that the association remains united. While the immediate past President, Galadima urged the newly elected administration to work for the unity of the association.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has raised the salaries of 67 security guards at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital from N18,800 to N80,000 following their emotional appeal during his visit to the facility.

During an interactive session at the hospital recently, one of the guards narrated their struggles.

He also spoke about their poor welfare and the hardship of catering for families on the meagre pay.

‘We have been here before Otunba Alao Akala, and before the work of this place is completed. We are not staff but indigenes of Oyo State. Please help us; we are suffering. I have a family and three children; my age is fast running out. Please help us, your excellency,’ the security guard said, breaking down in tears.

The governor, after asking about their earnings, was told they received N18,800 monthly.

A hospital representative explained that the guards were not on the hospital’s payroll but were outsourced, with the outsourcing company receiving N27,000 per guard.

Makinde then announced that the 67 guards would be converted to ad-hoc workers and placed on a new monthly salary of N80,000 beginning in October.

He said, ‘I can solve the problem right away by saying that all 67 should be converted directly to ad-hoc workers, and you will get N80,000 every month from the first of October.’