Controversial Air Peace Runway Incursion Report: NEFGAD Calls for the Sack of NSIB DG

By: Michael Mike

Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a civic organisation, has asked President Bola Tinubu to sack with immediate effect the Director General of the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Mr Alex Badeh Jr. over the recent controversy surrounding the toxicology report.

NEFGAD, during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said the recent controversy surrounding the toxicology report released by the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB), and the subsequent strong denial issued by Air Peace, has further deepened concerns about the credibility, professionalism, and operational integrity of the Bureau under its current leadership and the need to call on President Bola Tinubu to sack with immediate effect, the Director General of the NSIB Mr Alex Badeh Jr, to pave the way for thorough investigation in a bid to restore public confidence in the air safety agency.

NEFGAD made the call through its acting head of office Barrister Unekwu Blessing Ojo, who during the press conference emphasized NEFGAD’s position as a critical stakeholder in the aviation sector committed to transparency, accountability, and public safety within Nigeria’s aviation sector expressing profound disappointment in the manner the highly sensitive investigation into the July 2024 runway incursion incident by an Air Peace aircraft was being handled by the NSIB.

She maintained that NSIB is an aviation watchdog whose investigation requires utmost precision, neutrality, and scientific rigour, stressing that any lapse, real or perceived – undermines public trust and jeopardises the confidence of both domestic and international partners in Nigeria’s air safety oversight.

She stated that the conflicting narratives and the lack of clarity from a report issued by the NSIB itself months after the incidents and series of counter claims from Air Peace is troubling and entirely allien to the Nigerian aviation sector, particularly to the operations of the Bureau since inception until Mr Badeh Jr became the Bureau’s Director General, and this has raised legitimate doubts about the Bureau’s internal processes, its adherence to global best practices, and its ability to professionally discharge its statutory mandate.

She noted that at this critical moment, Nigeria an aspiring nation working hard to ensure the air safety of its citizens and attract investment confidence globally cannot afford an aviation investigative body whose operation and leadership inspires controversy rather than confidence.

She said: “In view of the foregoing, the group call for the immediate resignation of the Director-General of the NSIB. This action is essential to restore public trust, protect the integrity of ongoing and future investigations, and pave the way for a transparent review of the Bureau’s operational standards.

“NEFGAD further urge the President to initiate an independent assessment of the NSIB – its leadership structure, investigative protocols, and quality control mechanisms using the Airpeace runway incursion as a test case and ensure that the agency is repositioned for credible, world-class performance.”

NEFGAD vowed mass and possible legal action should Mr Badeh fails to accede to its request to resign, insisting that Nigeria’s aviation safety institutions must operate above reproach and its leadership accountability non-negotiable.

Controversial Air Peace Runway Incursion Report: NEFGAD Calls for the Sack of NSIB DG

NAPPS decries multiple taxation in Adamawa, urges review

Nigeria Associate of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Adamawa Chapter has decried on multiple taxations by the State and Local government councils and urged review for education development in the state.

Malam Muhammad Musa, Chapter Chairman, stated this at the NAPPS Day 2025 and magazine lunching in Yola on Saturday with the theme “working the talk to build collaboration between the government and private education sector”.

He appreciated the state government commitment for the development of education in the state and urged for the review of local government taxes.

According to him, before private schools were paying N10,000 as a tax and now some LGAs jack it up to N150,000.

He added that the operation of private schools is not a business but provides services for education development in the state and country.

Musa said, NAPPS is the umbrella for all private schools and urged members to be united and cooperate with the ministry of education to succeed.

In his remarks, Malam Mustapha Midawa, Registre, Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola congratulated the Association and appreciated them for their contribution to education development in the state.

He urged NAPPS members to encourage their students to get all the requirements for admission into MAU as they were now offering all courses.

Mr Hassan Hassan, Area Commander National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Jimeta expressed the agency confidence that the synergy between the agency and NAPPS would pave the way for sensitising students on the danger of drug abuse.

Hassan, represented by Timothy Urum, Assistant Superintendent Narcotic said, the agency has been committed to ensure that the rate of drug abuse is eradicated in the state.

He said they were always ready to embark on sensitisation and awareness creation to pupils and students to understand the effect of drug abuse that led some young people to commit a crime.

The NAPPS also presented an award to some philanthropists for their outstanding performance in sponsoring orphans, scholarship and support to education development in the state.

NAPPS decries multiple taxation in Adamawa, urges review

Zulum Approves ₦1 Billion for New Agric University’s Take Off

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved ₦1 billion for the immediate commencement of the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship in Bama.

Governor Zulum announced the donation on Monday while receiving an inter-ministerial delegation on an assessment visit to the Government House.

The team included officials from the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission, the Budget Office, and the Office of the Head of Service.

The institution was established after a bill sponsored by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan was signed into law by the President on May 22, 2025.

Governor Zulum had previously handed over the existing Umar Ibn Ibrahim Elkanemi College of Education, Science and Technology in Bama to the federal government to facilitate a quick start of academic activities.

“I want to announce the donation of ₦1 billion for the take off of the University,” Zulum stated. “I hereby direct the Commissioner for Education to facilitate the process and identify the immediate priority areas and gaps to channel the resources.”

He explained the state’s proactive role, saying, “The federal government announced the establishment of the university, but the state has to provide the enabling environment for the immediate take off of the institution.”

“Although the institution belongs to the federal government, the services that would be rendered is for the good people of Borno State,” he added. “For me, every federal institution, especially the tertiary institutions belong to Borno State government.”

The governor also promised to construct staff quarters and provide additional support.

He commended President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, sponsor of the bill, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, minister of education for ensuring that the university becomes a reality.

Leader of the federal delegation, who is also the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Hajiya Rakiya Gambo Iliyasu, reported that the team was impressed after inspecting the Bama facility.

“Your Excellency, the team went round the institution this morning and what we saw was quite encouraging,” Rakiya said. “We can tell His Excellency that the institution has everything it needs to take off.”

She confirmed that the institution is ready to begin operations and that the team would proceed with staff verification.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur; Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, SAN; Member representing Monguno, Marte and Nganzai federal constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba; Acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Malumbe; other members of the State Executive Council as well as Special Advisers.

Zulum Approves ₦1 Billion for New Agric University’s Take Off