Category: cover

 

The United States of America’s National Transportation Safety Board has linked the unfortunate helicopter crash that killed the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe, alongside his family, to ‘pilot’s spatial disorientation.’

 

The NTSB report further indicted the helicopter company, accusing it of “inadequate oversight of its safety management processes.”

 

This was contained in the NTSB final report unraveling the reasons for the helicopter crash in February 2024.

 

A preliminary report earlier showed that the helicopter, registered as N130CZ, crashed while operating under visual flight rules in what ultimately became instrument meteorological conditions, requiring different flight protocols and instrumentation.

According to the report, investigators determined the “probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control.”

 

The crash, which occurred near the California-Nevada border on February 9, 2024, claimed the lives of all six people on board, including Wigwe, his wife Doreen, their son Chizi, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.

 

The US accident investigators further reveal that the helicopter company failed to ensure pilots properly completed flight risk analyses, recorded maintenance issues, and followed required regulations before departure.

“The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation while maneuvering the helicopter in IMC [instrument meteorological conditions], which led to his loss of helicopter control and the resulting collision with terrain,” the report stated.

 

Significantly, the investigation showed that the helicopter’s radar altimeter was non-functional prior to the fatal flight.

 

The report detailed that during an earlier flight, the pilot had texted the maintenance director about an issue with this critical instrument.

 

“A company mechanic performed some troubleshooting on the radar altimeter; however, he was unable to rectify the issue, and the radar altimeter remained non-functional.

 

“The mechanic reported that the pilot and the DOM [director of maintenance] were aware that the radar altimeter was not functioning, yet they departed at 1822 on the positioning flight to pick up the passengers,” the report noted.

 

The investigation further found that after arriving to collect the charter passengers, the pilot and flight follower exchanged messages but “did not discuss the status of the radar altimeter or weather conditions.”

 

President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri, Anambra State, for an official visit to the state.

 

On the President’s entourage was the special adviser on security, Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu, among others.

 

The Nigerian leader arrived on board the Nigerian Air Force Airbus at about 12:17 pm, wearing the Akwete Igbo fabric with a red cap to match, and headed straight to the podium where the national anthem was sung.

 

Present to receive the president at the airport were the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; his Deputy, Onyekachukwu Ibezim; members of the House of Assembly; top dignitaries from the state, among others.

 

Tinubu, after receiving some gun salutes from personnel of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, entered into an official car waiting for him with Soludo, where he is being taken to where he is expected to commence the business of his visit.

The president is expected to commission some “legacy” projects completed by the Soludo administration.

 

Among the projects to be commissioned by the president are the New State Government House, Solution Fun City, the New Governor’s Lodge, built for the first time in 34 years, and the revamped House of Assembly, among others.

 

According to a statement by the special adviser to the state governor on political matters, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, on Thursday, Tinubu, during the official working visit, is expected to host a high-level town hall meeting between the president and key stakeholders in the state at the newly refurbished Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

 

Obiogbolu had reportedly warned party members not to wear party uniforms at the venue.

 

At the moment, everywhere is wearing a new look in Awka, the state capital, in anticipation of the arrival of the president.

 

 

With a population of 23.6 million sheep and 5.3 million people, there are about 4.5 sheep for each New Zealander, the statistic showed.

 

According to the statistics, that’s down from 22 sheep per person in 1982, when farming sheep for meat and wool was New Zealand’s biggest earner.

 

Now, years of falling wool prices prompted by a global shift to synthetic fibers have led farmers to change what they do with their land, the sector’s biggest lobby group said.

 

The lobby group added that, however, humans were gradually trying to catch up with the sheep.

The vast number of sheep in New Zealand relative to the country’s scant human population has long been the subject of jokes aimed at New Zealanders abroad.

 

The country is one of a handful in the world that’s still home to more sheep than people, but humans are catching up, according to new figures released Tuesday.

 

More than 120 endangered vultures died after eating an elephant carcass poisoned by suspected poachers in South Africa in one of the single largest such spikes in the region, wildlife officials said Thursday.

 

Another 84 vultures were evacuated by road and helicopter for treatment and monitoring after the poisoning in the Kruger National Park early this week, the park and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) said in a statement.

 

“The scale of the tragedy is staggering: 123 vultures were found dead at the scene,” the statement said.

 

The dead birds of prey included white-backed vultures, Cape vultures and a lappet-faced vulture, which are all listed as endangered or critically endangered species.

 

Poachers had laced the elephant carcass with highly toxic agrochemical pesticides in a method increasingly being used to target species such as vultures and lions, whose body parts are in demand for traditional medicine, the statement said.

 

It was the biggest single such poisoning since 2019, when more than 500 endangered vultures died in Botswana after eating elephants whose carcasses were poisoned by poachers, EWT birds of prey programme manager Gareth Tate told AFP.

Poachers who use poison either lace a dead animal with a toxin or snare one to use as bait, he said.

 

“We have seen a massive spike in poaching for lion parts, for which sometimes vultures are the unintended victims,” Tate said.

 

In some cases, birds of prey are “maliciously targeted” by poachers because they are natural sentinels and can give away the location of the poaching of other animals, he said.

 

The member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Amobi Ogah, has dismissed his purported suspension from the Labour Party, insisting his loyalty to Governor Alex Otti remains unwavering.

 

The Julius Abure-led Labour Party faction recently suspended Otti and all LP lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

 

Ogah told NAN on Thursday in Abuja that the indefinite suspension from Abure’s faction had no weight and as such would not affect his loyalty to his state governor, Otti.

 

He reiterated his determination to remain focused on his legislative duties and unshaken in his political conviction.

 

“The suspension is a joke taken too far and a distraction sponsored by elements threatened by the new face of leadership in Abia State.

 

“I want to make it clear; the so-called suspension means absolutely nothing to me.

“I have the mandate of the people, and my commitment to Gov. Otti and his transformational agenda in Abia remains unshakable,” Ogah said.

 

He reaffirmed his confidence in the governor’s leadership, adding that Otti has brought hope, accountability and progress to Abia.

 

Otti said, “Gov. Alex Otti is the best thing that has happened to our state in decades. I am with him full time.

 

“Nobody can bully us out of this progressive movement. No amount of intimidation can stop the will of the people.”

 

The lawmaker called on his constituents to remain calm and focused, assuring them of his commitment to his mission of delivering effective representation to the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi.

 

NAN

 

Black smoke billowed from a chimney over the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel for a second day Thursday as cardinals meeting in conclave once again failed to choose a new pope.

 

Thousands of the faithful and curious were awaiting the smoke in St Peter’s Square on the morning of the second day of secret voting by the 133 cardinal electors.

More details later…

 

The Director of Public Communications, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godono, on Thursday confirmed that the 133 Cardinal-electors for the new Pope would return to the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope after their first ballot on Wednesday failed to produce a new Pope.

 

Godono, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria described the process as flawless as the cardinals decisions were being directed by the Holy Spirit.

 

The Lagos archdiocesan communications director, spoke on the process, said that after the first ballot, no Pope elected that the trend has been for centuries.

 

“Today, May 8, the Cardinal-electors will return this morning to continue with voting until a Pope is elected. The Cardinals are expected to have two rounds of votes this morning and two more in the evening if we do not have a Pope elected in this morning’s session.

 

“Black smoke emanated from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel yesterday evening, indicating no new pope was elected during the first round of voting.

 

“One hundred and thirty-three red-robed cardinals from around the world have filed into the Sistine Chapel to the strains of a choir backed by organ music, and the doors were sealed behind them.

“The papal conclave — a centuries-old tradition to elect a new head of the Catholic Church,” he said.

 

He said that the announcement of a new pope will be made with white smoke billowing from the Apostolic Palace. Soon after, the new pope will emerge onto the balcony to greet his flock.

 

The cardinal electors faced a stark choice to select a pope who would follow in the footsteps of late Pope Francis, an Argentine reformer who advocated for migrants and the environment, or one who would guide the Catholic Church down a more traditional path.

 

NAN reports that the meticulous selection process has kept the world in suspense for weeks after the demise of Pope Francis

 

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has dismissed recent criticism accusing him of de-marketing Nigeria, saying truth-telling about the country’s challenges is essential to national growth.

 

Obi, in a post on X on Thursday, said his remarks about Nigeria’s economic and political realities are meant to strengthen, not tarnish, the country’s image.

 

Although he did not mention names, Obi’s comments come a week after Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu accused him of speaking negatively about Nigeria abroad.

 

“I tried reminding those who argue that I de-marketed Nigeria by telling the truth about its economic and social status vis-à-vis the rest of the World that truth does not in any way demarket a nation,” he said.

 

He added, “Rather, it refines and strengthens it. But the moment we begin to weaponise the truth for political convenience, we dishonour the legacy of those who came before us. We betray the very essence of their sacrifices, their struggles, their hopes, and their dreams.”

 

Obi spoke after attending the memorial lecture in honour of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, alongside former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Head of State Yakubu Gowon.

 

In his address, the former Anambra State governor questioned the silence of once-vocal critics who had protested fuel and food price hikes under Jonathan, saying the situation has worsened today.

 

He stated, “I asked some very vital rhetorical and reflective questions, like what has suddenly happened to the protesting voices in this country, where are those who, in 2012/13, protested vigorously when increases in fuel, exchange rate, food and transport prices were moderate and manageable under President Jonathan.

“Where are those who called President Jonathan all sorts of names, “Clueless, corrupt, ineffective and lifeless government”? Where are they now that the Prices of everything have increased tenfold?”

 

Obi also decried Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, poverty and institutional decay.

 

“We are also losing innocent lives daily through insecurity, poverty, poor healthcare, and avoidable hardship. This is not the Nigeria our founding heroes envisioned.

 

“We must not reduce their sacrifices to mere ceremonial tributes. The best way to honour Chief Edwin Clark and others like him is to restore integrity in governance, rebuild trust in our public institutions, and ensure that truth and justice are the foundations of our national journey.

 

“Nigeria must work for all Nigerians, not just for a privileged few,” he said.

 

Sanwo-Olu had, in a statement on Monday, April 28, accused Obi of making “disparaging” comments about Nigeria during his recent appearance at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.

The Lagos governor said prominent Nigerians travelling abroad should promote the country’s image rather than de-market it, especially in front of a global audience.

 

The Imo State Police Command has demoted a sergeant, Anayo Ekezie for assaulting a road traveller using a smoke gunner along the Owerri-Aba Expressway.

 

The Command also announced the reprimand of two Police Inspectors, Ofem Obongha and Obinna Okereke, for failing to exercise supervisory control during the incident which occurred along the Owerri-Aba highway.

 

Police spokesperson for Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye made the disclosure on Wednesday night.

 

According to him, the three men all attached to the Safer Highway unit were found guilty of breach of the Police Force code of conduct and human rights standards.

 

He said Anayo Ekezie was found guilty and was demoted from a Sergeant to a Corporal as punishment for his action, while the other two Inspectors were reprimanded for failing to exercise appropriate supervision.

 

Okoye said, “The Imo State Police Command, in response to a viral video showing police officers assaulting a man along the Owerri–Aba Road, has identified the officers involved and initiated disciplinary action. The officers are Inspector Ofem Obongha, Inspector Obinna Okereke, and Sergeant Anayo Ekezie, all from the Safer Highway Unit.

“Following a review of the video, the Command conducted an orderly room trial in line with Nigeria Police Force disciplinary procedures. Sergeant Anayo Ekezie was found guilty of using his issued smoke gunner in the assault and has been demoted to the rank of Corporal.

 

“Inspectors Obongha and Okereke were severely reprimanded for failing to exercise proper supervisory control, which allowed the unprofessional conduct to occur, ” Okoye said.

 

On his part, the Commissioner of Police for Imo State, Aboki Danjuma condemned the action of the men which he said ran foul of the Force’s code of conduct and human rights standards.

 

Danjuma maintained that there was zero tolerance for police misconduct and promised appropriate action on those found guilty.

 

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has called on the public to report any incidents of Police misconduct through the Complaints Response Unit (CRU), X-Squad unit, or via 08033424051 or 0814 802 4755 saying they are committed to transparency, professionalism, and protecting citizens’ rights.

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order for a three-day truce with Ukraine took effect Thursday, a move the Kremlin said would test Kyiv’s readiness for peace but that Ukraine has slammed as a farce.

It was not clear whether either side was observing the ceasefire, even with world leaders — including China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic — in Moscow for commemorations of the end of World War II.

It appeared relatively quiet overnight, though Ukraine’s military said early Thursday that Russian forces had launched air strikes in the eastern Sumy region. Kyiv did not report any damage or casualties.

Putin unilaterally ordered the temporary truce to coincide with Moscow’s Victory Day parade on Friday.

Ukraine never agreed to the proposal, has dismissed it as theatrics and called instead for a 30-day ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump has sought to end Moscow’s three-year military assault on Ukraine since his inauguration in January, but has failed to ease hostilities between the enemies.

Hours before Putin’s order was scheduled to enter force, Moscow and Kyiv staged aerial attacks, prompting airport closures in Russia and leaving at least two dead in Ukraine.

Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod airport in the west was closed for about one-and-a-half hours early Thursday “to ensure flight safety of civil aircraft”, according to a Federal Air Transport Agency spokesperson.

The Kremlin has said Russian forces will honour Putin’s order for the duration of the holiday period, but will respond “immediately” if attacked.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for a 30-day ceasefire in his evening address on Wednesday.

“We are not withdrawing this proposal, which could give diplomacy a chance. But the world is not seeing any response from Russia,” he said.

– Push for direct talks –

Putin announced the truce last month, calling it a “humanitarian” gesture, after pressure from the United States to halt Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

Putin rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional ceasefire in March.

Ukraine has said it does not believe Russia will adhere to the truce and accused Moscow of hundreds of violations during a previous, 30-hour ceasefire Putin ordered for Easter.

 

Russia, which launched a full-scale military offensive on Ukraine in 2022, fired over 100 drones and multiple ballistic missiles at its neighbour between late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon, killing a mother and her son, Kyiv said.

 

The White House has become increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress towards a peace deal between the warring sides, despite Trump’s efforts.

 

US Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday called on the two to enter direct talks.

– ‘Peaceful atmosphere’ –

 

Russia marks Victory Day with a grand parade of military equipment on Red Square and an address from Putin.

 

More than 20 world leaders were expected in Moscow for the May 9 parade.

 

“Our military and special services are taking all necessary measures to ensure that the celebration of the great victory takes place in a calm, stable and peaceful atmosphere,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

 

He also said authorities had jammed internet connections ahead of the parade, citing the threat from Ukraine.

 

“As long as guests are here, until May 10, we need to be ready for restrictions,” he added.

 

Russian forces occupy one-fifth of Ukraine, and this spring hit the country with a string of deadly attacks on civilian areas.

 

– ‘Nothing scares us’ –

 

Russians from outside Moscow visiting the heavily policed capital on Wednesday ahead of the parade appeared unfazed.

 

“We are from Rostov-on-Don. Nothing scares us,” said 22-year-old student Valeria Pavlova. The southern city serves as a command and logistics hub for the Ukraine offensive and has regularly been targeted.

“It’s much calmer here,” she added.

 

But scenes at airports in Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other cities were more chaotic on Wednesday.

 

Ukraine launched a barrage of drones at Russia earlier in the day, forcing airports to halt traffic. Around 60,000 people’s flights were disrupted, according to Moscow.

 

Kyiv’s drone attacks disrupted about 350 flights Tuesday and Wednesday, Russia’s Association of Tour Operators said.

 

Social media videos showed people sleeping on the floor and airports with rows of over a dozen planes queuing on the tarmac.

 

Ukraine’s airspace has been forced to close since Russia launched its offensive in February 2022.

 

AFP