President Court of Appeal: Plateau Group raises alarm over Justice Monica

The Gamai Unity and Development Organisation (GUDO) in Plateau
State has raise an alarm on the attempt to short change Justice
Monica Mensem Dongban as the President of the Court of Appeal.

The group, in a press statement signed the Secretary General Mr
Fidelis Damsuk Bitkop and issued to journalists in Jos on
Wednesday, said the controversy trailing the recent invitation of
their illustrious daughter Justice Monica Bolnaan Mensem-Dongban
and Justice of the Court of Appeal by the National Judicial Council
(NJC) for interview to the Supreme Court is suspicious.

According to the Gamai tribe, which is also the clan of Governor
Simon Lalong of Plateau State, said they have received the news
with mixed feelings and reservations in view of the glaring
ulterior motives behind the exercise.

“We are also appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari, the
National Assembly, all men and women of good conscience, those on
the Bench and at the Bar, political leaders, Civil Society and
other stakeholders to lend their voice against this dangerous
precedence and act of impunity that is capable of derailing the
most cherished sanctity of the judiciary in the dispensation of
justice in the country.

“We are passionately appealing to the National Judicial Council
to shelve the planned interview of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem
and if done, toe the path of honour and sanity, by adhering
strictly to the established rule of succession at the Court of
Appeal through confirming Justice Monica Dongbam as the next
President of the Court of Appeal as Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa
retires at the end of the year,” the group argued.

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NAF, Airbus Africa Partner on Aircraft Equipment
Serviceability

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
has urged Airbus Africa & Middle East to improve its
maintenance and logistical support to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
in the areas of training and prompt provision of spares in order to
better serve the NAF in its efforts at dealing with the security
challenges confronting the Nation. The CAS made this known today,
23 October 2019, while receiving the President Airbus Africa &
Middle East, Mr Mikail Houari, and other executives of the Company
on a courtesy visit at Headquarters NAF Abuja.

Speaking further, the CAS highlighted that the nature of the
threats confronting Nigeria required strategic partnerships at
governmental and non-governmental levels, not just within Africa
but also in Europe and other parts of the world. The CAS observed
that, by virtue its human and natural resource endowment as well as
its Geo-strategic location, Nigeria deserves the support of all its
partners and friends to deal with the security challenges facing
it. He noted that the NAF, in synergy with sister Services and
other security agencies, has continued to work assiduously to
protect the lives and properties of Nigerians. He further said NAF
personnel were wholeheartedly committed, highly motivated, willing,
able and ready to deal with the terrorists and other criminal
elements to ensure a secured Nigeria. He noted however that this
would require the support of friends and partners, through the
provision of robust technical support and training for more
effective and efficient employment of Air Power. Air Marshal
Abubakar stressed that Airbus Africa and other companies could play
their part, in this regard, by ensuring shortened delivery times
while also providing more comprehensive after sales services.

In his response, Mr Mikail Houari commended the NAF for its
immense contributions as well as the sacrifices made by its
personnel in the fight against insurgency and other forms of
criminality in the Country. He noted that Airbus Africa was
extremely proud of being a part of the NAF’s contributions to
national security over the years. He said the Company, being a
responsible partner, was not unaware of the needs of the Service at
this critical time and would do its utmost to meet these
requirements. He promised that Airbus Africa would continue to do
its best to provide needed equipment, spares, services as well as
training, in a timely and cost-effective manner. In reiterating
their commitment to Nigeria, Mr Houari, stated that the Company had
established a foundation to support young technology start-up
companies, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. This, he
said, was another way of recognizing the critical importance of
Nigeria and indeed the whole of Africa to Airbus.

Others present at the event were Headquarters NAF Principal
Staff Officers as well as Airbus Africa & Middle East
executives. One of the highlights of the visit was the presentation
of models of 2 Airbus-produced aircraft to the CAS.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force