By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, has sought the participation of a Chinese delegation for the 72 Hours Lagos Weekend Experience taking place from November 14–16, 2025.

The Governor’s aide invited China to the event when he hosted a high-level Chinese delegation led by the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of Guangxi People’s Congress, Mr Zhang Xiaoqin; and the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms Yan Yuqing, on Monday.

The Chinese team were around to deepen international relations and foster stronger cultural and economic ties with the metropolis.

Mr Aregbe acknowledged the large population bases of Lagos and China as critical assets for advancing tourism development, cultural integration, and unlocking opportunities for mutual economic growth, sharing the Lagos Cultural Mission Initiative with the visitors.

“We want China’s partnership with Lagos State in cultural exchange and training programmes that will benefit both young and old, ensuring mutual growth and enduring relationships,” Mr Aregbe stated.

Meanwhile, the Chinese delegation expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation through simplified visa processes, student and professional exchange programmes, and joint cultural initiatives.

Commending Lagos for its progress in cultural tourism, Mr Zhang described the city as a “powerhouse of human labour, economy, and creativity,” identifying heritage protection, research, and educational exchanges as key areas for collaboration while emphasising the robust trade foundation between Guangxi Province and Nigeria.

On her part, Ms Yuqing reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening ties with Lagos and Nigeria, endorsing the vision for future cultural events, also extending an invitation to the Lagos team to visit Guangxi as part of efforts to cement bilateral cooperation.

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has announced the withdrawal of a criminal complaint against Ms Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger arrested over alleged unruly behaviour, as well as the reduction of a flight ban on Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM 1, to one month.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday morning.

He disclosed that this happened following consultations with key stakeholders in the aviation sector over recent incidents involving disruptive conduct at Nigerian airports.

According to the Minister, Ms Emmanson, who was arrested on August 10, 2025, after a confrontation aboard an Ibom Air flight, showed “great remorse” during a police interview in the presence of her lawyer.

As a result, Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint, with the Police expected to complete steps for her release from Kirikiri Prisons within the week.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to lift the lifetime flight ban earlier imposed on her.

On the case of K1 and ValueJet, the Minister said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will cut the singer’s flight ban to one month, while also withdrawing its criminal complaint.

The singer will be engaged as an ambassador for airport security protocol.

Additionally, ValueJet’s Captain Oluranti Ogoyi and First Officer Ivan Oloba will have their licenses restored after serving a one-month suspension and undergoing mandatory professional re-appraisal.

Mr Keyamo stressed that the decisions were taken on “compassionate grounds” following appeals from well-meaning Nigerians and expressions of remorse by the parties involved.

He, however, warned that the government would not tolerate further breaches of aviation laws.

The Minister also directed relevant agencies to hold a retreat next week to retrain aviation security personnel on handling disruptive passengers and de-escalating tense situations, while airlines will separately review staff conduct towards travellers.

“We take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” Mr Keyamo said.

“These above decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on COMPASSIONATE grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of our laws are involved.

“We are also sending a CLEAR MESSAGE that we take safety and security in the aviation sector very seriously and we have decided to draw a line after these clemencies,” he concluded.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Ibom Air passenger, Ms Comfort Emmanson, who allegedly assaulted a crew member of the airline, has been remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.

She was sent to jail after she was arraigned on Monday, about 24 hours after she was captured on videos trending on social media hitting an air hostess of Ibom Air.

The passenger was asked to put off her mobile phone but she refused and became unruly. She was also seen attacking other aviation employees called to eject her.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Tunde Moshood, the media aide of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, said Ms Emmanson was arraigned today and taken to Kirikiri.

“The more reason the flying public should be more careful, the unruly passenger on the Uyo–Lagos bound Ibom Air, Miss Comfort Emmanson, has been charged to court and she’s now cooling off in Kirikiri,” Mr Moshood disclosed in the post, which has generated different reactions.

The mixed reactions stemmed from the failure of the government to apply similar rules to popular singer, Mr Wasiu Ayinde, otherwise known K1 De Ultimate, who blocked a moving aircraft last week at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Though K1 De Ultimate later apologised for his behaviour,, many have called for his prosecution in court and not only be banned from flying for six months as declared by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

As for Ms Emmanson, Ibom Air has prohibited her from using its airline, saying her action she posed a serious threat to the safety of its crew, passengers, and aircraft.