Iran’s missile brought down Ukrainian plane- Canada PM

 

   Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday evidence indicates an Iranian missile downed a Ukrainian jetliner late Tuesday and that the strike “may have been unintentional.” Trudeau says Canadian and allied intelligence supports that conclusion. He declined to get into the specific intelligence, but said it appeared it was a surface-to-air missile that struck the plane.

  “We have intelligence from multiple sources including our allies and our own intelligence. The evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by an Iranian surface-to-air missile,” Trudeau told a news conference. He added: “This may well have been unintentional.” Earlier, U.S. officials said it was “highly likely” that an Iranian anti-aircraft missile downed the jetliner, killing all 176 people on board. They suggested it could well have been a mistake.

Federal Government reconstitutes new board of CAC, appoints Chairman

 

    The Federal Government on Thursday reconstituted the new board of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and appointed Mr Ademola Seriki as the board Chairman with effect from Jan. 7.

    A statement issued in Abuja by Mr Ibrahim Haruna, Deputy Director, Press of the ministry, said the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, disclosed this while presenting appointment letter to new CAC Registrar-General, Alhaji Garba Abubakar.

The reason we launched new security outfit in South West – Gov. Fayemi

     Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Thursday, said that the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) otherwise know as “Amotekun” was set up not to undermine the power of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Fayemi made this disclosure in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital during the official launching of the of new security outfit which is an initiative of all the six Governors in the South West region.

N8.5 billion to be spent on Enugu airport

 

   The ongoing rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport runway will cost N8.5 billion, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director Captain Rabiu Yadudu said on Thursday.

   Although President Muhammadu Buhari approved N10 billion for the work, not everything will be spent on it, he said. According to him, the contract cost is N8.5billion, adding that the balance of N1.5 billion is with the Ministry of Aviation. Yadudu spoke when he and other aviation agency heads appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

   Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Managing Director, Fola Akinkuotu, told the lawmakers that a 600-meter runway extension done in 2010 failed six years after. He said the collapse necessitated the major repair work because it requires base stabilisation to ensure it does not fail again. The lawmakers urged the contractor to ensure that the work is completed before Easter.

Federal government appeal to Academic Staff of ASUU to back down on it opposition to IPPIS

   Federal Government and University lecturers have been having disagreement over the enrolment in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel and Information System (IPPIS). On Thursday, government official appeal to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to back down on it opposition to the IPPIS. But the union declined.

It was during the union visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. However, Minister for Finance Zainab Ahmed, said  96,090 out of the 137,016 academic and non-academic staff members of the universities have been enrolled in the IPPIS.

   A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, quoted the minister as urging the  ASUU leadership to encourage the remaining 40,926 members to comply with the process. President Muhammadu Buhari at the meeting promised that his administration will reposition the education sector.