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Nigeria No Longer Interested in Airline Partnership with Ethiopian Airlines

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Ethiopian Airlines has announced that the Nigerian government is no longer interested in partnering to establish the proposed Nigeria Air project

Ethiopian Airlines has announced that the Nigerian government is no longer interested in partnering to establish the proposed Nigeria Air project. This announcement was made by the Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mesfin Tasew, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to the Ethiopian Tribune.

“The Nigerian government has lost interest in partnering with a foreign airline,” Tasew was quoted as saying.

This development comes nearly two months after the Federal Government indefinitely suspended the Nigeria Air project. On May 27, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, announced the suspension during a ministerial briefing marking the first year of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

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Keyamo criticized the deal with Ethiopian Airlines, stating that the ownership structure of the suspended airline was not beneficial to Nigeria. He argued that it would be irresponsible for the Federal Government to allow a foreign entity to monopolize Nigeria’s aviation industry, thus compromising the growth of local businesses.

In 2023, the Ministry of Aviation, under the leadership of former Minister Hadi Sirika, unveiled Nigeria Air just three days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The ownership arrangement, which granted Ethiopian Airlines a 49 percent equity stake, raised concerns among stakeholders nationwide. The Federal Government held a 5 percent equity, while a consortium of three Nigerian investors owned 46 percent.

Reacting to the deal in June 2023, the House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to suspend the operations of Nigeria Air over allegations of fraud.

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The suspension and the government’s withdrawal from the partnership indicate a significant shift in Nigeria’s approach to developing its aviation sector, with a focus now seemingly on fostering local businesses and ensuring a beneficial ownership structure.

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Trump Appoints Energy Executive as Energy Department Head; Biden Heads to Amazon Rainforest

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Trump Appoints Energy Executive as Energy Department Head; Biden Heads to Amazon Rainforest

President-elect Donald Trump has named Chris Wright, an oil and gas executive, to head the US Energy Department. Wright, the founder and CEO of Liberty Energy, is known for his scepticism regarding climate change and is expected to advance Trump’s agenda of increasing fossil fuel production.

Trump praised Wright in a statement, describing him as a “key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace.” The president-elect also announced that Wright will serve on a newly formed Council of National Energy, which aims to guide the United States toward energy dominance through deregulation and encouraging private sector investments.

In related news, Trump’s campaign revealed that Will Scharf, one of the president-elect’s personal lawyers, will become the assistant to the president and White House staff secretary. Trump highlighted Scharf’s legal expertise, referring to him as a “highly skilled attorney who will be a crucial part of my White House team.”

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Scharf notably represented Trump in a Supreme Court hearing on presidential immunity, where the court ruled that Trump was partially immune from prosecution for actions taken during his presidency. In his new role, Scharf will manage key documents, including reports and briefings for the president.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is set to visit the Amazon rainforest later today, where he will engage with Brazilian indigenous leaders. This visit underscores his administration’s commitment to environmental and conservation efforts on a global scale.

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Trump Announces Key Appointments: Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador, Tom Homan as Border Tsar

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Trump Announces Key Appointments: Elise Stefanik as UN Ambassador, Tom Homan as Border Tsar

President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled two significant appointments as he prepares for his return to the White House in January. Elise Stefanik, a 40-year-old New York Congresswoman, has been confirmed as Trump’s choice for the role of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Additionally, Trump has appointed Tom Homan, 62, to be his “border tsar.” Homan previously served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term.

This move comes as the Republican Party inches closer to securing full control of Congress. The GOP has already captured a majority in the Senate and is three seats away from winning the House of Representatives. The Republicans currently hold 215 seats, while Democrats have 210. Control of the 218-seat majority in the House would grant Republicans significant legislative power, including initiating spending bills and launching impeachment proceedings.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce Homan’s appointment, saying, “Tom Homan will be in charge of our Nation’s Borders (‘The Border Czar’), including… the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security.” Trump emphasized Homan’s role in deportation efforts, adding, “Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.”

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Biden to Host Trump at White House for Transition Talks Next Week

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Biden to Host Trump at White House for Transition Talks Next Week

President Joe Biden has invited President-elect Donald Trump to the White House for a meeting in the Oval Office next week. This tradition of sitting presidents welcoming their successors has been observed for decades, though it was notably absent in 2020 when Trump did not extend the invitation to Biden.

These meetings typically focus on the transition period and key considerations for establishing a new administration. During their sessions, outgoing and incoming presidents often discuss both domestic and foreign policy and emphasize a smooth transition of power.

In 2016, President Barack Obama hosted Trump and later said they agreed to collaborate for the good of the country. Similarly, when President George W. Bush met President-elect Obama in 2008, they talked about economic and security matters, while Laura Bush and Michelle Obama explored the White House grounds.

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This upcoming meeting between Biden and Trump marks a significant step as the nation prepares for the presidential transition.

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