News
Release $717.4m trapped funds to foreign airlines, Senate Urges CBN
The central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday has been asked to release trapped $717,478,606 airlines funds in the country.
The Senate made the call to CBN while also allocating the sum of $25 million to airlines operating in Nigeria at its fourth-nightly dollar auction.
These resolutions were reached sequel to the consideration of a motion titled, ‘Current Issues on airlines blocked funds in Nigeria’, sponsored by Sen. Biodun Olujimi (PDP-Ekiti) at the plenary in Abuja and chaired by the Senate Committee on Aviation.
The vice chairman of the committee, Sen. Bala Na’Allah (APC-Kebbi) presented the motion on behalf of Olujimi.
The upper chamber of the National Assembly also called on the Federal Government to urgently reverse the current trend of increasing airlines blocked funds in Nigeria.
It called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to pay up the blocked funds to the affected airlines.
The Senate further appealed to the airlines operating in the country not to withdraw their services, saying efforts were ongoing to resolve the issue.
Moving the motion, Na’Allah said since January 2021, Nigeria has been the most challenging country in the world for the airlines to repatriate their funds to support their operation.
In February, Nigeria alone accounted for 44 per cent of total airlines blocked funds in the entire world.
The total airlines blocked funds in Nigeria as of March amounted to $717.4 million comprising matured bids that the CBN was yet to deliver, bids yet to mature, and cash balances in airlines’ accounts for repatriation.
News
Omotayo Exits MAN, Becomes COO Saldrey Communications Ltd
• Omotayo Okewunmi
Saldrey Communications Limited, a niche Public Relations and Media agency, is pleased to announce the appointment of Omotayo Okewunmi as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective Monday, November 3, 2025.
This strategic appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward strengthening its operations, expanding its client impact, and deepening its commitment to innovation-driven communication solutions.
Omotayo joins Saldrey Communications following her impactful tenure as the Public Relations Manager of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where she played a pivotal role in advancing the Association’s public image, stakeholder engagement, and policy communication strategies.
During her time at MAN, she was instrumental in crafting narratives that amplified the voice of Nigerian manufacturers, reinforcing the Association’s credibility across national and international platforms.
Beyond her corporate experience in MAN, Omotayo has founded and grown businesses in the media and events industry and her impact is felt particularly with Clefflake Media and Events, a boutique media and event consultancy renowned for its creative storytelling, experiential brand activations, and strategic communications expertise. Under her leadership, Clefflake Media and Events became a trusted name among clients seeking tailored solutions for their brands and memorable experiences at events.
At Saldrey Communications, Omotayo is poised to bring her wealth of experience in strategic planning, brand communication, and client relationship management to elevate the agency’s operational excellence and creative output.
Her appointment underscores Saldrey’s commitment to fostering leadership that drives measurable results and delivers unmatched value to clients.
“This is an opportunity to merge innovation with purpose. My coming on board is to not only strengthen the internal operations of the organisation but also create lasting value for our clients.
Saldrey Communications has always stood out for its deep understanding of influence mastery and its ability to deliver unmatched results to clients.
My goal is to amplify that strength, ensuring every project reflects the company’s core philosophy of delivering excellence, creativity, and results.”
According to Saldrey Communications’ value proposition as outlined on its website, the company is committed to “delivering strategic, innovative, and measurable communication solutions that connect brands to their audiences and drive sustainable growth.”
Omotayo’s appointment is aligned with this mission ensuring that every client engagement reflects the agency’s hallmark of precision, passion, and performance.
With her unique blend of corporate communications expertise, entrepreneurial flair, and passion for public relations, Omotayo Okewunmi is set to play a transformative role in driving Saldrey Communications’ next phase of growth, one that promises innovation, client satisfaction, and lasting impact.
News
ASUU Urges Tinubu to Sack Education Minister
“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria.”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is calling for the sack of the Minister of Education , Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, alleging that he is incompetent.
The Chairman of ASUU, University of Jos chapter, Prof Jurbe Joseph Molwus ,made the call on Wednesday .
” If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the union will likely resume another strike in two weeks saying that the strike was suspended as a mark of respect and demonstration of goodwill in collective bargaining.
The union described as sad the fact that even the N50 billion revitalisation fund claimed to have been released some weeks ago by the Federal Government is yet to reach the Universities and wondered why the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, is still keeping it.
The Universities have yet to receive the N2.3 billion purportedly released by the government to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal Universities.
ASUU said the amount of N2.3 billion arrears for promotion and salaries is like a drop in the ocean because it can hardly take care of three big Universities in Nigeria as it is “grossly inadequate and almost embarrassing, if not insulting.”
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Crime
Federal lawmaker escapes assassination attempt
A member of the House of Representatives, Jafaru Mohammad Ali Damisa, narrowly escaped death on Tuesday after his convoy was ambushed by suspected terrorists in Niger State.
The attack occurred along the Lumma–Babanna road in Borgu Local Government Area while Damisa, who represents Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency, was on his way to Babanna for an official engagement.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen—identified as “Lakurawa terrorists,” locally known as bandits—opened fire on the lawmaker’s convoy in a surprise afternoon attack.
Security operatives attached to the convoy responded immediately, resulting in a fierce gun battle. One soldier was reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Some of Damisa’s political aides and supporters were also injured during the exchange.
Witnesses said the attackers fired relentlessly, riddling several vehicles with bullets before fleeing the scene. At least 11 vehicles were reportedly vandalised in the attack.
Despite the heavy assault, Damisa escaped unharmed. Security agencies are said to have launched a manhunt for the assailants in the area.
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