Connect with us

Columns

6 Things to Know About Nigeria’s New Presidential Jet, From “Previous Users” And “Age” To “Cost”

Published

on

Spread the love

6 Things to Know About Nigeria’s New Presidential Jet, From “Previous Users” And “Age” To “Cost”
Happenings Aug 23 Shelmani
Nigeria is third user of new presidential jet, here are six (6) things to know about the 15 year old Airbus A330-200.

An Airbus A330-200 this week joined the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF), barely a month after the Nigerian House of Representatives’ Committee on National Security and Intelligence recommended procuring a new one due to high maintenance costs and operational issues with the current fleet.

Here are six (6) things to know about the the latest addition to the Presidential Air Fleet.

1) Tinubu’s First Trip Aboard New Presidential Jet

The new presidential jet, the Airbus A330 registered with 5N-FGA was used for the very first time by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday August 19th for his trip to Paris, France.

2) Replaced 19-year-old Boeing B737-700

It replaces the 19-year-old Boeing B737-700 (BBJ) registered with 5N-FGT, which was handed over to the FG in 2005 during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

3) It Is A 15 year old Aircraft

The latest addition isn’t brand new so to speak as Nigerian Government is the third user. It was originally delivered in 2009 to Saudi Arabia’s Midroc Aviation, who operated it for 12 years before it was ac­quired by AMAC Aerospace in April 2021.

4) To Save On Maintenance, Fuel Costs

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the A330 features modern avionics and communications systems, adding that it will save on maintenance and fuel costs.

5) Cost : N150 Billion Naira ($150 million).

While the presidency is mute on how much was paid for the presidential jet, local newspapers alleged that the FG paid $100m for it and splashed another $50m to retrofit it with state-of-the-art gadgets.

6) Cost Of Brand New Model

While FG reportedly spent about $150 million to buy and upgrade the new presidential jet to its taste, a brand new Airbus A330-200 is listed for $238.5 million while the 330neo costs in the region of $290 million to $300 million.

Columns

“I have no love for fake friends, pretenders”— Mikel Obi replies 2Baba

Published

on

Spread the love

 

Mikel Obi has finally responded to 2Baba, shedding light on why he allegedly snubbed the music icon during a chance meeting in London.

Reflecting on their shared history, Mikel said:
“We grew up together in Jos, and you achieved fame before me. I reached out to you several times, but you never responded. Then, the same God who blessed you answered my prayers, and fame found me too.”

He expressed his surprise been approached by 2Baba in a London mall after years of silence:
“Now that I’ve made it, suddenly you recognize me? Life has taught me that no one wants to associate with failure. That’s why I stay in my lane for peace and only keep connections with those who stood by me before fame.”

Concluding his statement, Mikel emphasized his stance: “I have no love for fake friends or pretenders.”

Continue Reading

Columns

Nagasaki driver returns 25-yr ‘partner’ RX-7 to Mazda at ceremony on 80th birthday

Published

on

Naoko Nishimoto shares her thoughts in front of her longtime "partner" Mazda RX-7, in the city of Nagasaki on Dec. 18, 2024. (Mainichi/Kazuki Kawashima) © The Mainichi
Spread the love

NAGASAKI — A decades-long driver of a Mazda RX-7 sports car fulfilled a pledge to turn in her license on her birthday on Dec. 18 and passed the vehicle along to its maker.

At the ceremony held in a local Mazda dealership, Nagasaki resident Naoko Nishimoto commented with her hand on the hood, “Thank you so much for the 25 years we have shared our lives together, ‘Seven.'”

“Seven” is the name she gave her beloved coupe.

When Nishimoto was working as a clerk at the age of 55, she was looking to buy a new car and fell in love with the RX-7 when she first happened to see it in the anime series “Initial D”. “Its outline is beautiful,” she thought. She immediately bought a brand-new silver model for around 3 million yen (about $19,300 at the current rate).

After she had used the vehicle for daily outings like trips to the supermarket and racked up about 77,500 kilometers over 25 years of use, she made up her mind to give up her driver’s license in December 2022, when she turned 78. After her search for the car’s next owner was reported in the news, Mazda Motor Corp. put in an application.

A young designer at Mazda gave Nishimoto a sketch of the adored cruiser during the ceremony. “The RX-7 was the first car I was responsible for marketing after joining the company. Ms. Nishimoto lovingly drove this car for 25 years, and we will maintain and handle it with care from here on,” Mazda President Masahiro Moro wrote in a letter that was also passed to her.

“For the two years after I decided to let it go, I had particularly fond memories of riding in Seven to photograph seasonal flowers and scenery. I loved the feeling of oneness with the car,” Nishimoto said.

The car will hereafter undergo maintenance before beginning its second life as a promotional vehicle.

The RX-7 integrated Mazda’s technical prowess and included a high output, low noise and vibration rotary engine. Around 810,000 of the vehicles were produced between 1978 and 2002. Having plenty of overseas fans, the car was featured in “Fast and Furious,” and it has been immortalized in the street-racing manga, anime and game series “Initial D” as the car owned by the protagonist’s rival.

Continue Reading

Columns

Judges Must Reject Gifts From Governors,Ministers “- NBA President, Osigwe

Published

on

Spread the love

 

Afam Osigwe, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says it is unconstitutional for members of the cabinet or governors to be giving gifts to judges.

Osigwe spoke on Thursday during Politics HQ, a programme on News Central TV.

The NBA president’s comments came months after Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), announced the construction of quarters for judges in Abuja.

In September, the FCT minister flagged off the construction of 40 houses for judges in Abuja, which sparked a public outrage.

He said 20 of the houses, when completed, would be allocated to judges of the FCT high court, while 10 would be given to the judges of the federal high court and 10 to those of the court of appeal.

Kindly follow Ekwutosblog for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.

Continue Reading

Trending