Author: News Editor
Abuja — President of the Senate, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, on Sunday morning returned to the country after a brief vacation in London. He arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 4:00 a.m. Before embarking on the vacation, Senator Akpabio had attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, which held from July 29 to 31, 2025. At the global parliamentary gathering, he participated alongside the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, where both leaders represented Nigeria and contributed to international parliamentary dialogue. Speaking with journalists shortly after his…
Sir Victor Etim Antai, the current Executive Director of Projects at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the growth and progress of the Oron Nation. His life of service reflects a deep passion for his people and an unshakable determination to make a meaningful difference. Long before his appointment at the NDDC, Sir Victor Antai had already distinguished himself as a leader of action—one who delivers results rather than empty promises. A shining example of this remains his intervention in Udung Uko Local Government Area, where he personally ensured the repair and restoration…
Oron, Akwa Ibom State – The Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sir Victor Antai, KJW, Ph.D, yesterday 16th August, 2025, embarked on a critical inspection tour of electricity infrastructure in Oron Local Government Area to ascertain the state of power supply across Oro Nation. For decades, the five Local Government Areas that make up Oro Nation have grappled with perennial electricity challenges, leaving households, businesses, and critical infrastructure in prolonged blackout. Determined to change this narrative, Sir Antai inspected transformers, poles, cables, and other facilities in Uya Oro Village, Iquita, Idua Assang, Murtala, Isangadihi, Eyobasi, and other…
Executive Director, Projects – Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Background & Education Born on May 19, 1965, in Ituk Mbang, Akwa Ibom State, Sir Victor Etim Antai is a leader of notable discipline and vision. He earned a B.Sc. in Geography and an M.Sc. in Logistics and Transportation Management from the University of Port Harcourt. Notably, he has since completed his Ph.D. in Logistics and Transportation Management at the same institution, cementing his academic credentials in the field . Career & Public Service Sir Antai’s professional trajectory highlights robust leadership and grassroots impact: He subsequently served as Commissioner for both…
The ongoing Ibom Air dispute has now taken an unnecessary turn, with a N500 billion lawsuit dragging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno into the matter. This raises a troubling question: why involve them in what is clearly a corporate issue between an airline and a passenger? Ibom Air is a registered corporate entity, governed by its own management and legal framework. Neither the President nor the Governor is a director or shareholder in the airline. To rope them into this case is to blur the lines between corporate accountability and political leadership. The Federal Government has already…
An Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Ogba, Lagos, on Wednesday discharged Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard a domestic flight, after prosecutors formally withdrew all charges against her. Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami struck out the five-count charge against Emmanson after the police prosecution team withdrew the case. At the resumed hearing, prosecutor Oluwabunmi Adeitan informed the court of new developments that necessitated the withdrawal. She subsequently tendered an application for the case to be withdrawn, which the court admitted, formally discharging Emmanson of all charges. The withdrawal followed intervention by the Minister of Aviation and…
By acting swiftly and fairly, the Minister reaffirms that dignity and compassion still have a place in governance. OPEN LETTER TO HON. FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, MINISTER OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE In recent weeks, the case of Ms. Comfort Emmanson has stirred national concern. Her dignity was gravely violated when she was forcibly removed from an aircraft in a manner that exposed her breasts to the public through social media. This incident brought her not only public humiliation but also detention while awaiting trial — a punishment that, in the view of many, is already more than enough. It is against…
1. In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent. 2. Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space. 3. As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs…
Uyo, Nigeria – August 12, 2025 — Chief Edet Isong, publisher of Newsday newspaper, founder of the Isong Childcare and Health Foundation, and convener of the Credence Network for Umo Eno 2027, has appealed to Ibom Airlines to show compassion toward Ms. Comfort Emmanson. Speaking to journalists in Uyo, Chief Isong urged the airline’s management to embrace the spirit of Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda by forgiving and forgetting any past grievances. “Ibom Airlines has always been a symbol of pride for Akwa Ibom,” Chief Isong said. “In keeping with the values of the Arise Agenda, I appeal to the…
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemns the treatment of Ms. Comfort Emmanson in the incident aboard an Ibom Air flight on 10 August 2025 and the subsequent lifetime flight ban imposed on her by Ibom Air and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON). These actions are heavy-handed, unlawful, and a grave affront to the rule of law and human dignity. It is deeply disturbing that Ms. Emmanson was forcibly removed from the aircraft, stripped of her clothing in public, and subjected to humiliation that was filmed and circulated online. Such conduct is degrading, violates her right to dignity and…