US orders emergency inspection of engines used by Arik, Air Peace

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), US airspace regulatory agency, has directed airlines with the same engines as the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 to carry out a thorough inspection of the engines’ fan blades.

The Southwest Airlines aircraft suffered an engine failure which forced it to make an emergency landing on Tuesday. The aircraft uses the same engine as Arik Air and Air Peace, two of Nigeria’s leading airlines.

In an emergency order issued on Friday, FAA instructed airlines to carry out ultrasonic inspections on fan blades of engines with more than 30,000 cycles within the next 20 days.

An aircraft cycle includes an engine start, a takeoff and landing, and a shutdown.

The FAA said it has determined that fan blade cracking “is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design” and added that it was “considering further rule making to address these differences”.

Prior to the emergency order, CFM International, manufacturer of the engines, had issued guidelines for the ultrasonic inspections.

CFM recommended that fan blades with 20,000 cycles should be inspected by the end of August.

It also advised airlines to inspect all other fan blades when they reach 20,000 cycles, and that it should be repeated at every 3,000 cycles.

According to CFM, about 14,000 engines in service are covered by the new inspection guidelines.

To facilitate the recommended inspections, CFM said it was providing about 500 technicians to accelerate the process.

In March, an Arik flight from Lagos to Accra, Ghana, made an emergency landing after the pilot detected a smoke in the cabin.

“The aircraft is currently parked in Acrra and our team of engineers are conducting comprehensive inspections on the aircraft to ascertain the cause of the smoke, after which the aircraft will be flown without passengers to a maintenance facility for rectification and testing,” Arik had said at the time. - Cable Nigeria

Ibadan residents blame churches as robbers raid 20 houses

Some suspected armed robbers numbering about twenty-five on Friday night stormed Ekerin, Araunsan, Fatokun and Bako communities in Omi-Adio area of Ibadan, the Oyo state and raided about twenty houses where they carted away property, including phones, laptops, jewelries and cash.

DAILY POST learnt that some residents of the communities were also injured during the raid.

It was however gathered that some members of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) led by its Ido Local Government Area chairman, Mr. Muritala Ifawale repelled the gang from carting away money contributed by landlords in Ekerin community for the purchase of a new electricity transformer.

A source informed DAILY POST that the robbers, on getting to Ekerin community, invaded the residence of one of the executive members of the landlords’ association and demanded the money contributed for the purchase of the transformer.

It was gathered that the robbers threatened to kill him and his family members after he told them the money contributed for the transformer was not with him.

Our correspondent learnt that the arrival of OPC members salvaged the situation, as the hoodlums quickly jumped out of his house upon hearing the sound of gunshots.

It was gathered that the OPC members also prevented the armed robbers from raiding more houses in the areas.

Sources in the areas informed our correspondent that there was an exchange of gunshots between the robbers and OPC members for about one hour, but the hoodlum reportedly took to their heels after exhausting their bullets.

However, victims of the robbery attacks, who reported the incident at the Omi-Adio Police station, blamed the invasion of the armed robbers on activities of churches in the communities.

Some of the victims, who spoke with journalists on the condition of anonymity, said the noise from churches having night vigil programmes prevented other residents from getting to hear their shouts for help.

One of them, who identified himself as Baba Deola, said the shouts of “Amen” and “Alleluyah” that rented the aired from churches in the area prevented neighbors from hearing their distressed calls.

However, efforts made by DAILY POST to get across to the Police spokesman in the state, Adekunle Ajisebutu, to speak on the matter proved abortive as at the time of filling this report on Saturday. - Daily Post

World Bank: 118 million Nigerian adults do not have bank accounts

Recent data provided by the World Bank says 118 million Nigerians do not have bank accounts.

The information was made available in the latest Global Findex Database report released on Thursday at the ongoing Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington DC.

According to the report, only 40 percent of Nigerian adults have bank accounts.

It said Nigeria and six other countries are home to nearly half of the 1.7 billion people who do not have bank accounts.

“Globally, about 1.7 billion adults remain unbanked—without an account at a financial institution or through a mobile money provider. Indeed, nearly half live in just seven developing economies: Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, and Pakistan,” the report read.

“The gap between men and women in developing economies remains unchanged since 2011, at 9 percentage points.”

The National Population Commission (NPC) pegs Nigeria’s estimated population at 198 million, the seventh largest in the world.

The Bretton Wood institution said most people in sub-Saharan African countries save for a business in contrast to adults in high-income economies who save for old age.

“Nearly half of adults in high-income economies reported saving for old age. In developing economies only 16 percent did. Saving for a business is more common in many Sub-Saharan African economies— reported by 29 percent or more of adults in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria, for example,” the report read. - Cable Nigeria

Nigeria faces major food crisis over Fulani herdsmen attacks — Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka on Friday expressed grave concern over the continued displacement of the nation’s farming population in various parts of the country by rampaging violent herdsmen.

Soyinka warned that if nothing was done urgently to stem the tide of killings and sacking of farmers by herdsmen, the dark cloud of violence could plunge the country into a major food crisis.

The renowned playwright and author of Kongi harvest, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during a conference session on African Drum Festival, said a period like the on – going drum festival, demands a moment of sober reflection on the onslaught by herdsmen against the primary producers of food in the country.

Soyinka who is the consultant for this year’s African Drum festival,  however, added that the appalling situation should not be allowed to completely dampen the spirit of creativity.

He called for the immediate restoration of displaced farmers to their traditional base, as a first step towards ensuring that this country is good habitation for people .

In his address, Governor Ibikunle Amosun observed that the intellectual angle to the festival was an innovation powered by Soyinka thanking him for putting the event together. - The Nation

FA Cup win would represent successful season - Chelsea manager

Antonio Conte believes winning the FA Cup will represent a successful season for the club.

The Blues, who face Southampton in Sunday's semi-final, have endured a difficult campaign after storming to the Premier League title last time out.

Conte's men are five points behind Tottenham in the race for fourth position, but the Italian says that finishing fifth and beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final would mean it has been a fruitful campaign for the club.

He said: "I think in this difficult season, it is important to try to finish this season in the best possible way.

"When I say 'to try and finish the season in the best possible way' I mean that we have to play every game with fire in our eyes. Then you can lose, draw or win but it isn't important.

"The most important thing is to show in every game that you have the right spirit because our fans deserve this. If we can do this, it will be a successful season."

Chelsea produced a stirring comeback to see off Southampton 3-2 in the league last weekend and Conte will be urging his players to ignore the Saints' position in the table, they are third bottom, and prepare for a difficult encounter.

"To play in a wonderful way and to win in an easy way but as you know football is difficult," he added.

"It is a semi-final against a team that, for me, I am very surprised to see them in this position in the table.

"They are fighting to avoid relegation and despite this, I think they have good players, talented players.

"Don't forget, only one week ago, we were losing 2-0 after 60 minutes. I think that the last game showed it will be very important to approach this right, for our future in this competition'' - Goal

PL news : Vieira ready for Arsenal job - Pep Guardiola

Guardiola believes Patrick Vieira has the capability to step in as Arsene Wenger's successor at Arsenal.

Vieira captained Arsenal during their golden period under Wenger at the start of this century, with his powerhouse midfield performances at the heart of their celebrated 2003-04 'Invincibles'.

The former France international went on to stints at Juventus and Inter before finishing his playing career at City.

He has stayed on the Etihad Stadium payroll, first as Elite Development Squad manager and now as head coach of New York City, who operate under the City Football Group umbrella.

The 41-year-old has been namechecked among a host of candidates to step into Wenger's shoes after the long-serving Gunners boss announced he would step down at the end of the season on Friday.

And Guardiola feels he has seen enough during his two years at City to suggest Vieira is up to the challenge.

"Of course, he already is," the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach replied when asked whether Vieira can become a "top manager".

"Now, with what happened [Wenger's announcement] there is a lot of names there.

"Arsenal is going to take the best decision for them. But, of course, he is ready.

"I think all the names that are going to start to go – this name or this name or the other one – all of them, they are ready."

Vieira himself was not as eager to push his own credentials when the prospect of succeeding his old boss was put to him by New York radio station WNYE

"I spent nine years at Arsenal, which makes the club really special for me," he said.

"But that is not enough to coach the team.

"I am always flattered to hear my name linked with different football clubs. That is good for your ego but at the same time, I am happy here.

"We will see what will happen in the next couple of years."

Speaking a day before he called time on his 22-year reign, Wenger was more of Guardiola's opinion.

"He's a guy who has the potential one day, yes," he told reporters on Thursday.

"I've followed his managerial career. I think he does very well but overall, this Premier League is special.

"You have to come in and there are plenty of former players who played here who have potential, the intelligence and knowledge to do it." - Goal

President Zuma gets love child from 24-year-old lady

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma is hugging the headlines again with reports that he has fathered a new baby from a 24-year-old woman.

She gave birth to his child in a Durban hospital last week Thursday on his birthday, News24 reported yesterday.

The mother is identified as Nonkanyiso Conco and is set to become Zuma’s seventh wife.

Zuma is 76 years old.

“Yes‚ we are getting married‚ but that is all I can say. I need to consult before I give any interviews‚” she said.

Conco is a director of the Pietermaritzburg-based Nomkhubulwane Culture and Youth Development Organisation‚ aimed at protecting the cultural practices of young Zulu women.

Conco reportedly resides in the plush Ballito Estate Hilltop‚ home to some of the city’s most well-heeled residents.

According to News24, the woman delivered the child at the Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital last Thursday – Zuma’s birthday.

Zuma is a polygamist who has fathered 22 known children from at least 11 women.

Zuma reportedly visited his baby under strict security on Thursday night

“They had to clear the maternity ward for other patients. Hospital staff made it clear that this was strictly confidential,” a source with direct knowledge of the birth told News24.

Ray Zuma, who is related to the former president, said Zuma was going to wed a woman named Nonkanyiso Chonco.

When asked if Conco was the same woman who had given birth to a baby earlier this month, Ray Zuma responded by saying: “So?”

“I can’t see why you are interested. When he was still the president, you [the media] were terrorising him, and now you are all of a sudden interested in him.”

When asked about the details of the wedding, he said he was not privy to the details.

“No date has been set yet. Both families must come together to decide on the date. We are still in the pre-nuptial phases of the process.”

Zuma’s son Edward told News24, when asked about the baby: “We are not going to respond, or entertain any of that nonsense”.

When News24 visited the hospital earlier in the week, an employee confirmed that Zuma had visited the facility.

“Yes he was here last week. I saw him with his security. I do not know why he came through.” - The Nation

What a country ! 30 killed, scores injured again in Zamfara

Suspected gunmen have again killed about 30 people in Kabaro and Danmani villages in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

An eye witness, Mr Shuaibu Kabaro, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maru that the suspected gunmen attacked the two communities and the incident was immediately reported to the security agents.

He said three of the bandits were arrested by security agents following the prompt report of the incident to the security personnel.

Shuaibu said, the gunmen in turn went and mobilized more gangs and returned in multitude to carry out the attack which left about 30 dead and many others injured in the two communities.

The Maru Local Government Council Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Dangulbi and the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Mohammed Shehu both confirmed the killings.

According to them, many of the villagers deserted their homes for fear of further attacks which now characterized the mode of operations of the gunmen.

The duo said, with the presence of security personnel now in the area however, many of the villagers had returned home.

The PPRO further explained that units of mobile police working with the military and other security agents were immediately mobilized to the affected areas and that peace and normalcy had been restored.

The police spokesman however said that the actual number of those killed was still being worked on and “until this is done, l cannot give you actual figure at the moment’’. -NAN