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General News of Wednesday, 24 May 2023

Source: thenationonlineng.net

May 28: Biden names US delegation for Tinubu's Swearing-In

US President, Joe Biden US President, Joe Biden

World attention is focusing on Nigeria ahead of the inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as president.

United States President Joe Biden has designated a presidential delegation to attend the May 27 ceremony holding at Eagle Square, Abuja.

The transition programme has kicked off with a Regimental Dinner for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is expected to bow out next Monday.

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is already agog with minor festivities.

Airfares on the Lagos/Abuja route on major carriers have soared. Most hotels in the city have been booked by dignitaries expected at the ceremony.

Blair to support incoming govt

Blair expressed his readiness to support the incoming Tinubu administration to succeed in office.

He said the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which he founded, would be a willing partner of the administration, especially in prioritising its goals and delivery.

He said since leaving office as the UK prime minister, he had been working with governments around the world to help them deliver on their mandates.


He said the institute has a project in place in Nigeria, adding that it was incumbent upon him to meet the next president to understand his administration’s priorities.

Blair said: “We would like to help in any way with your administration. We only need to know what the leadership priorities are and help in how to actualise them,” Blair told President-elect Tinubu.”

The former prime minister commended Tinubu’s campaign focus on key areas of security, economy, agriculture and power, describing the intertwined nature of the areas as critical to the development of any society.

He said with the appetite shown by investors to invest in Nigeria, the Tinubu administration could get the required support to spur economic development in the country.

Blair, however, acknowledged the difficult task before Tinubu and other leaders at a time of global turmoil.

He said: “Being in government today anywhere in the world is tough. You have things happening around the world which affect you and for which you can’t do anything much.”

President-elect Tinubu expressed appreciation to the former British leader for the visit and for his offer to work with his administration.

Read Also: Security beefed up ahead of May 29 inauguration

He spoke of the shared vision between him and Tony Blair Institute in their priority areas, but underlined the importance of tackling investment challanges and the need for social investment to fight poverty.

Tinubu said: “Yes, we are challenged. But where is our courage? We can eliminate ignorance, diseases and poverty in Africa. We must work hard to ensure democracy works for our people.”

“We have to invest more, put technology in place and keep terrorists at bay because without effective security, there is no guarantee investors will come,” he added.

The president-elect promised to provide a conducive environment that would encourage investors and open up opportunities for the people.

A statement by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz of the Office of the President-elect said Tinibu was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima; member of Tinubu Transition Team and one-time Lagos State Finance Commissioner Mr. Wale Edun; former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Adetokunbo Abiru and Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Mr. Zacch Adedeji.

Air fares soar

Six days to the inauguration, airfares on the Lagos / Abuja route on major carriers have soared.

Experts and airline operators attributed the increase to the surge in passenger traffic on the route next Monday.

Checks on the website / booking platforms of major carriers indicate more flight frequencies in the D- Day, forcing fares to go up.

Checks by The Nation reveal that booking made for some days before the presidential inauguration stands at N47,000.00 for a one – way / one – hour flight, whereas bookings for a day before the inauguration for an economy seat stands at N 74,000.00. However, flight bookings for Monday, May 29, 2023 for same economy seat in one of the major carriers is selling for N95,300.00.

Also, flights for three days after the inauguration is going for N47,700.00 respectively.

Investigations further revealed that local carriers have increased their flight frequencies for next Monday, with one of the leading airlines scheduling Lagos / Abuja flights for 6.30 am, 8.00 am, 8.40 am and 10.35 am, 12.40 pm, 2.15 pm, 6.20 pm and 7. 30 pm .

Flight bookings on one of the biggest carriers for all rotations for an economic seat for the schedules for May 29 is going for N75,300.00 respectively.

All seats in the First Class cabin have been booked. Booking for Business Class cabin for same day on scheduled flights ranges between N129,900.00 and N143,000.00 respectively.

Return flights between Abuja/ Lagos for same day travel on Economy seat cabin ranges between N47,700.00, N53,000.00 and N95,300.00 .

Bookings for Business Class cabin for travel same day ranges between N123, 000.00 and N143, 000.00.

Sources hinted the airport authority is scaling up efforts to handle the high influx of passengers that will use the airport.

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), it was learnt, is planning to facilitate the movement of foreigners / diplots coming into the country for the inauguration ceremony.

DHQ, FCDA: we are ready

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCDA) have said they are fully prepared for the inauguration.

Director Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, said preparations in terms of military parade and security of the venue and Abuja are on.

He said: “The inauguration is under the presidential transition comittee, we are just a member. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is a member. But off course we are handling the military parade and the security,

“Preparation is at the top gear. The Guards Brigade is the one leading the military parade. The rehearsals are on and everything is in the top gear.

“Security is a joint task and adequate security has been put in place.

“But you know the Police is the lead agency there. So, adequate security measures have been put in place before, during and after the inauguration.

“This is about the sevenths times, if I’m not mistaken, we will be involved in presidential inauguration. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was inaugurated twice, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua once, Goodluck Jonathan twice, President Muhammadu Buhari twice.

“So we are good to go, no cause for alarm.”

On its own, the FCDA said it’s not leaving any stone unturned in its determination to ensure a hitch free inauguration.

The Director Security Services, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Adamu Guwari, explained the plan they have to host the inauguration on May, 29, 2023.

Guwari said: “The panning started more than a week ago. The Commissioner of Police who led other security agencies has mapped out their operation plans and order for the inauguration and it has been made available to the FCT minister.

“The essence of the operational order is to give security agencies necessary logistic support.

“We have commenced activities to ensure a hitch free inauguration ceremony.

“Security agencies are now everywhere in the city. I advise residents and visitors to abide by the law and follow due process.

“There are several diversions in the city during the hours of the inauguration.

“Everyone needs to corporate with security agencies. The people should also give vital information to security agencies if there is any security threat.

“For those planning to disrupt the inauguration, security agencies will deal with those elements.

“This is operational strategy and I will not disclose what will happen to those people. All hands are on deck to avert any problem.”