IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has shared his disapproval of the repair work carried out on the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

In a statement posted on his official X handle on Saturday, Keyamo described it as substandard and unsafe. According to him, the federal government decided to shut down the airport’s runway for two weeks starting April 22, 2025, to address critical safety concerns.

His reaction was following the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announcement of the temporary closure in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah. “Dear compatriots, we have been compelled to take this decision to close the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for two weeks starting from April 22nd, 2025, in order to carry out major repair works on it, Keyamo stated.

In a statement posted on his official X handle on Saturday, Keyamo described it as substandard and unsafe. According to him, the federal government decided to shut down the airport’s runway for two weeks starting April 22, 2025, to address critical safety concerns. His reaction was following the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announcement of the temporary closure in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

“Dear compatriots, we have been compelled to take this decision to close the runway of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for two weeks starting from April 22nd, 2025, in order to carry out major repair works on it, Keyamo stated. 

Amid the crisis rocking Rivers State, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has given a condition for him to forgive Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his estranged political godson and successor. Wike, the immediate past Rivers governor, said he would let go of the wrongs Fubara has caused if he genuinely seeks forgiveness.

He stated this during a media parley on Friday in Abuja. When asked if he would forgive Fubara if he asks for it, Wike replied in the affirmative, saying: “Sincerely.” 

Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads recently with their relationship deteriorating. The face-off between the two stems from a struggle for control of the state’s political and structural resources. The rift also affected the state House of Assembly, with 27 suspended members defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the interview, Wike revealed that two governors approached him to resolve the feud between him and Fubara. Though he didn’t reveal the governors’ names, Wike said he told them he was resolved to make peace with his successor. “These two governors came to me and I said, ‘look, I am here for peace. What does he want?’ and they said, ‘look, we will do everything.’

“In sincerity, if anybody comes, it must be in sincerity. The best opportunity was when the President intervened,” Wike stated. The minister also backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the oil-rich state. But Wike said the president’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.

“As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the president did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state. “The matter is in court but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not on my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power plane,” Wike added. 

Thousands of commuters and motorists have been stranded on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after an accident involving multiple vehicles occurred on the Kara Bridge inward OPIC of the ever-busy route.

The accident, which happened on Friday, involved a truck and some cars in the early hours of the day, causing a gridlock along the road. Authorities have not confirmed if there were any casualties in the accident on the ever-busy road, but some people were injured.

“We recorded an accident on the Kara bridge inward Opic on the Lagos Ibadan Express Way with multiple vehicles. LASTMA personnel and other Emergency responders have swung into action to rescue the victims and also clear the affected vehicles,” the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) wrote on X, confirming the accident.

In an update, however, the LASTMA said, “Some of the vehicles affected have been successfully recovered from the road, two lanes are now opened for vehicular movement inward Opic. Efforts are still ongoing to evacuate the articulated truck as well.” 

Ruben Amorim made a pretty significant point in the aftermath of his side's staggering 5-4 comeback win against Lyon. A point that underlined the high stakes game his first part-season at Manchester United has become.

Sitting in the media room at Old Trafford, about at hour after his players had been careering around the pitch taking in their achievement after coming from 4-2 down with six minutes of extra time remaining to conjure up a sensational victory, Amorim took a deep breath and offered a little analysis. "This kind of moment can help the players a lot in this kind of season," the Portuguese head coach said. "It can create some connection with the fans and the players and we can forget for a few minutes what kind of season we are having.

"Today is a good feeling but tomorrow we start everything again." For United, Friday will mark the start of preparations for Wolves at home. Their manager Vitor Pereira was in the Old Trafford stands for the start of the Europa League epic, but like many supporters he had headed for the exit before the drama-fuelled ending. Pereira knows the outcome suits his team. United have to recover from such a draining experience. Amorim hinted at changes being made to protect tired players. Wolves could end up facing a very weakened team.

"We have to take a risk and save some players," said Amorim. "If you look at our season, the most important thing for everybody is Europa League." So, United's season boils down to the two games against Spain's Athletic Bilbao and, maybe, a final against Bodo/Glimt from Norway or Tottenham. 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers, saying he wanted the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the oil-rich state.

In a move which has continued to divide opinions among Nigeria Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and members of the House of Assembly following months of political crisis in Rivers State.

But Wike said the president’s move saved Rivers from implosion, arguing that the decision to appoint a sole administrator following Fubara’s suspension was a step in the right direction.

The former Rivers governor said this on Friday in Abuja during a media parley with select journalists. 

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has eulogised former President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting him in difficult times.

Adesina stated this in Kaduna State during a visit to Buhari where he prostrated before the ex-President. He disclosed this in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accompanying pictures showing the duo, beaming with smiles.

His primary purpose for the visit was to thank Buhari for his steadfast support throughout the election processes for the AfDB presidency. 

The AfDB boss said although he was initially nominated by former President Goodluck Jonathan for the position, Buhari played a crucial role in his nomination as AfDB president. He stated that Buhari also provided vital support during his re-election campaign in 2020.

“He strongly stood by me in difficult times, which ensured my re-election. Thank you Sir,” Adesina was quoted as saying.