Group Urges Jonathan to Retain Embattled Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Sunday, January 26th, 2014

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos

A group under the aegis of Aviation Stakeholders Square-table (ASS) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to retain the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, so that she can continue “to carry out the transformation of the industry” in spite of clamours for her removal following the bullet proof car scandals.

Nigeria’s controversial minister of Aviation Stella Oduah

The call was contained in a press statement issued in Jos on Sunday and signed by the General Secretary of the association, Capt. Balarabe Shehu.

The statement further says, “she has incurred the wrath of some fat cats who were the beneficiaries of the old order. Therefore she must be punished for questioning some of the concessionary agreements signed in the past, which consigned Nigeria’s wealth to the hands of a few individuals.

“They have employed several crude tactics, ranging from subtle threats, attempts at her life, negative media campaign and outright blackmail.

“Also for the first time in Africa’s history, Oduah’s tenure as Aviation Minister has produced Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, as President of ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organisation).

“With the rehabilitation of the airports and upgrading of navigational facilities, she is working hard to sustain Nigeria’s category one safety status.

The group called on President Jonathan, “to discountenance the antics of a few enemies of the nation who are indirectly plotting his downfall by attacking his most faithful productive loyalists. “