DISCORDANT TUNES ON NIGERIA AIR: what the PS said unedited VS rebuttal unedited

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Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development

Below is the transcript from a digital audio recorder by the newshounds present at the inaugural statement by the Permanent Secretary, PS, who recently resumed at, the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni.

On Monday, January 6th, 2025, after reading a brief prepared script to his audience, the PS was engaged in a discussion about what his deliverables were in the ministry.

Please find the Permanent Secretary’s response below. Its content formed the kernel of the stories journalists present at the event published in their various news media on Tuesday, 7th January 2025.

Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana’s response when fielding questions on the task surrounding the National Carrier.
TRANSCRIPT:
“While receiving my deployment letter, I received very clear instructions, very, very clear, with two tasks to achieve within this period by His Excellency, Mr. President, as well as the Head of Service of the Federation.

One, to ensure that the Air Nigeria comes to be. All of us will agree that there is no better time to have an Air Nigeria than now.

Therefore, my task, day and night, is to work with the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barr. Festus Keyamo, to achieve the renewed hope agenda of His Excellency, Mr. President, to give birth to what Nigerians are all waiting for, that is Air Nigeria.

By His grace, we shall achieve this within this short period of time of the tenure of His Excellency, Mr. President”.

REBUTTAL BY THE PERMANENT SECRETARY, Wednesday, 8th January 2025- UNEDITED

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,
It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you today. As we chart the course for the continued growth and development of Nigeria’s aviation and aerospace sector.

Since my inaugural statement on Monday at the handover ceremony, I have been inundated with inquiries about my reference to the revival of the National Carrier Project.

For the avoidance of doubt, I never said that there is a mandate to revive the botched Nigeria Air deal with Ethiopian Airlines.

I received no such instruction. I was only referring to the general vision of the Administration to still consider a National Carrier Project if it is favourable to the country and under the guidance and directives of Mr President and the Honourable Minister of Aviation.

I hope this clarifies all the ambiguities surrounding my earlier statement on this issue.

On a personal note, I pledge absolute loyalty to the Honourable Minister and remain dedicated to working closely with him to drive the Ministry’s agenda forward. Together, we will ensure that the future of aviation in Nigeria is bright, innovative, and reflective of the aspirations of our great nation.

Thank you, and may we continue to soar to greater heights.

Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni,
Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development

Permanent Secretary
Ibrahim Abubakar Kana mni was born in 1971 into the family of Alhaji Abubakar Kana. He hails from Nasarawa State. Dr. Kana began his educational career in Ahmadu Maikwato Primary School, Keffi before gaining admission to Federal Government College, Odogbolu, Ogun State.