By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The pilot of the helicopter crash that led to the death of the chief executive of Access Holdings Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe, and two other members of his nuclear family and a friend on February 9, 2024, in the United States has been blamed for the incident.

In its report, the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also blamed the company for “inadequate oversight of its safety management processes.”

Mr Wigwe died in the air mishap alongside his wife, Mrs Doreen, his son, Mr Chizi, and a friend, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who chaired the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc.

They died after the small aircraft with registration number N130CZ carrying six persons crashed near the Nevada border in California. They were going for a match in the US when the unfortunate incident happened.

In the report released on Wednesday, the safety board noted that the crash occurred due to the pilot’s inability to navigate effectively in some conditions.

“The probable cause of this accident [was] the pilot’s decision to continue the visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control,” a part of the report stated.

It was observed that during the flight, the pilot had communicated with the company’s Director of Maintenance (DOM) about an issue with the radar altimeter, which remained non-functional despite attempts to fix it.

The NTSB further revealed that after arriving at the airport to pick up the passengers, the pilot and a company flight follower engaged in a phone conversation but failed to discuss the status of the radar altimeter or the current weather conditions, both of which could have impacted the flight’s safety.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Nigerian tourism sector is about to witness a sharp turnaround with a deal sealed between Emirates Airline and the federal government through the Ministry of Art Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2025 Arabian Travel Market, the airline operator will use its influence in the global aviation market to attract international visitors to tourist sites in Nigeria.

It was learned that Emirates would help to promote inbound tourism to Nigeria from key markets on its network, encouraging travellers to experience the country’s rich cultural heritage and diverse natural beauty, from sunlit coastlines to vibrant wetlands.

Also, both parties will develop programmes for trade partners, hoteliers and tour operators, to showcase the Heartbeat of Africa as well as exploring incentives, familiarisation trips and other marketing initiatives.

“Since resuming operations to Lagos in October 2024, we have focused on deepening our strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors.

“This partnership with the Nigerian Tourism Ministry solidifies our commitment to driving international travellers to experience the country’s fascinating history, its urban cities, the untapped, stunning natural world and, of course, the warm hospitality that characterizes Nigerian culture,” the Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Airline, Adnan Kazim, said.

In her remarks, the Minister of of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musa Musawa, said, “This partnership with Emirates marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s tourism sector. It serves as a critical springboard for driving inbound tourism as we work towards delivering on our Destination 2030 Soft Power Initiative, endorsed by Mr President to position Nigeria as a global leader in culture, heritage, and creativity.

“Strengthening strategic alliances with international stakeholders like Emirates not only open new gateways for visitors but also empower local communities, stimulate economic growth, and showcase Nigeria’s extraordinary cultural tapestry to the world.”

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The indefinite strike embarked upon by labour unions in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has been suspended.

The industrial action was called off on Thursday after a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo.

Recall that on Tuesday, employees of weather forecast agency protested against the management of NiMET, saying they were being neglected.

Their action disrupted flight operations, especially at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where they chanted slogans such as No weather, no flights and Fly at your own risk.

They accused NiMET of withholding important documents, ignored requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglected key training programs in favour of executive retreats.

The aggrieved workers in different unions claimed that NiMet’s failure to meet their demands left them with no choice but to withdraw all services indefinitely, effective April 22, until further notice.

In a letter signed on Monday by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical, and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), the workers accused NiMet of refusing to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances, including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.