Minna, capital of Niger State has been designated as an alternative airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Abuja.

The Airport which is now Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, has Ben designated because its closeness to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The news of its designation was broken by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

He stat3d this at the flight inauguration of Overland Airways’ commercial flights from the Minna airport.

Highlighting the airport’s capacity and strategic relevance, Keyamo praised the facility’s infrastructure and its potential to serve as a major aviation hub.

“The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a triple seven can use this runway. Why, over the years, this has been underutilised is still a puzzle,” the minister said.

He emphasised that the airport meets international standards in both physical and operational aspects, and expressed surprise at its previous underuse.

“Our eyes are on this airport. By the powers conferred on me, I declare Minna Airport as the alternative to Abuja Airport. NCAA, FAAN, take note,” Keyamo declared.

The declaration is expected to bolster aviation traffic in Minna and serve as a strategic relief point for flight operations in  the North, especially during emergencies or congestion at the Abuja airport.

Also, yesterday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, spoke on the importance of robust collaboration between state governments and the Federal Government.

This, he said, was important in advancing the nation’s developmental agenda.

The minister stated this when the inaugural commercial flight from the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

He said that sustainable national progress can only be achieved when all tiers of government work in synergy, pooling resources, aligning policies, and coordinating efforts to deliver impactful governance to the  people.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna was built by the administration of Umaru Bago in Niger State and named after the President.

“One of the key issues that we need to talk about is the kind of collaboration that Mr. President is always talking about between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals. This is one great example that Niger State has shown that the states can indeed come together with the Federal Government to collaborate in order to bring prosperity to Nigerians,” he said.

The inaugural commercial flight, Overland Air with Registration Number 5N-CCN landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 1:32pm conveying the first set of passengers including the Niger State Governor, Mr. Umaru Bago, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and other top government officials.

The Minister expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the enabling environment that facilitated the successful commencement of operations at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna.

He noted that this milestone reflects the President’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and improved connectivity across the country.

The Minister also hailed Governor Bago, for his visionary leadership in opening up the Niger State for agricultural development, commercial activities, industrial growth, and overall economic prosperity.

He described  Bago’s efforts as a demonstration of uncommon passion and dedication to the advancement of Niger State and the well-being of its people.

“We have to appreciate our president like our Governor has said. This is indeed a dream come true. The Governor has indeed made this happen. He is so passionate about opening up Niger State for agriculture, commerce, industry and prosperity,” he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has felicitated prominent Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami on his 50th birthday.

Tinubu in a statement by Bayo Onanuga,
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy) commended the politician, businessman, and philanthropist for his contribution to nation building.

President Tinubu specifically noted what he called the Itsekiri leader “valiant efforts in peacebuilding and in ensuring the safety and sustenance of critical oil and gas resources, as well as in fostering unity and stability in the Niger Delta region.”

He also recalled his contributions to the growth of the All Progressives Congress in Delta state and his loyalty to the President immediate family over the years, particularly “before and during the 2023 elections.”

The statement read in part: “President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Ayirimi Emami, a prominent Itsekiri leader, on his 50th birthday, April 26.

“Chief Emami is a politician, businessman, and philanthropist.

“President Tinubu commends the Itsekiri leader for his commitment to nation-building, epitomised by his valiant efforts in peacebuilding and in ensuring the safety and sustenance of critical oil and gas resources, as well as in fostering unity and stability in the Niger Delta region.

“I thank Chief Emami for his support over the years for me and my wife, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a daughter of Itsekiriland, standing with us before and during the 2023 elections.”

“President Tinubu wishes Chief Emami good health and many more years of impactful service to the Itsekiri people and Nigeria.”