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Improved Air Travel: ValueJet’s Comeback Eases Plateau-Lagos Journey – Jatau Gyang

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Jos, April 3, 2025 – ValueJet Airlines has resumed flight operations on the Jos-Lagos route, a development expected to boost economic activities and enhance regional connectivity in Plateau State.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Jatau Gyang, during a press briefing in Jos on Thursday, emphasized that the resumption of flights would facilitate investment, trade, and tourism in the state, providing easier access for business and leisure travelers. He noted that previously, flights between Jos and Lagos were limited to four days a week, causing inconveniences for travelers. The state government, recognizing the need for more frequent air travel, engaged ValueJet to bridge the gap, ensuring flights now operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

“With peace returning to Plateau State under the leadership of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, investors are eager to explore opportunities in the region,” Gyang stated. “Previously, travelers had to wait an extra day due to limited flights, but with ValueJet stepping in, people can now travel more flexibly.”

The Commissioner highlighted that the introduction of ValueJet flights would create a more competitive market, breaking the monopoly of the existing airline servicing the route. This competition is expected to lower ticket prices, benefiting traders and business owners who frequently travel between Lagos and Jos.

He further pointed out that the improved flight schedule would benefit Plateau’s agricultural sector by ensuring perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables reach markets in Lagos without spoilage. “Farmers can now harvest and transport their produce without the risk of delays that could lead to losses,” he added.

Gyang revealed that the government is working towards attracting more airlines to operate from Jos to additional destinations, including the South-East and South-West regions, to further integrate Plateau into the national economy.

“We are looking at connecting Plateau to other economic hubs like Aba, Port Harcourt, and Owerri. The goal is to reduce travel fatigue and risks associated with road transportation while improving accessibility,” he explained.

Addressing the long-standing demand for an international airport in Plateau State, Gyang disclosed that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had recently assessed Yakubu Gowon Airport for potential upgrades. The state government, in collaboration with the federal government, is advocating for an expansion of the runway and other facilities to meet international standards.

“Our airport is one of the oldest in northern Nigeria, and its runway has exceeded its lifespan. We are in discussions with FAAN to expand and resurface it, ensuring it meets global aviation requirements,” he stated.

The Commissioner also provided updates on the proposed inland container depot at Haipang, which is expected to enhance the export of agricultural produce from Plateau. The African Development Bank is supporting this initiative as part of a broader effort to develop special agro-processing zones in the state.

Additionally, he assured residents of an imminent expansion of the intra-city bus transport service, with 15 more buses set to be deployed to address congestion and extend coverage to underserved areas such as Feringada and Rukuba Road.

To address security concerns regarding tricycle (Keke) and taxi operations in Jos, Gyang announced the implementation of a new registration system. This initiative, which involves capturing the biometric data of drivers and introducing QR codes for passenger verification, aims to enhance safety and accountability in public transportation.

“Passengers will soon be able to scan QR codes to access details of their tricycle or taxi driver, which can be shared with trusted contacts for security purposes,” he explained.

The resumption of ValueJet’s operations, coupled with these transportation initiatives, marks a significant step in Plateau State’s efforts to enhance mobility, economic growth, and investor confidence.

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Messi’s Skills, Bellingham’s Goals Inspire Olaoluwa Abiodun At Shuffle Select Football Academy

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An enterprising youngster at Shuffle Select Football Academy of Abule Egba, Lagos, Olaoluwa Abiodun has disclosed that he learns from watching the skills of Lionel Messi and goals of Jude Bellingham in order to get better.

READ ALSO: Virgil Van Dijk Is My Role Model, But Barcelona’s My Favourite Club – Samuel Ibeanusi 

Sports247 reports that the fast growing lad, who can play as a midfielder and striker, is currently making waves with Shuffle Select at the ongoing Seamoriow U15 Football Competition in Ikotun, Lagos, where his team will face the hosts in the first semi-final on Thursday.

All eyes will be on Abiodun, after he scored four goals to emerge as man of the match in his side’s 8-0 thumping of Bee United during the quarter-finals on Tuesday and he’s in contention to be the highest goal scorer.

The youngster, who is a student of Oke Odo Senior High School, also thanked his coach, Babatunde Ashifa, for guiding him in the right direction towards becoming a future football star for Nigeria.

“I am happy for how my coach is teaching me to play football,” said Abiodun. “That’s why I always like to be early for our training sessions at Ebenezer Primary School.

“He’s the one who brought me to the club in 2024 and I have learnt a lot from him since then. I also learn from watching the way Messi and Bellingham play. I try to combine their styles anytime when I’m playing.”

Sports247 gathered further that Abiodun could soon be in line for a deal abroad, as the director of Shuffle Select Football Academy, Ibrahim Odeyinka is connected to a number of clubs in Europe as well as Brook House College of England.

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Osun APC alerts police over alleged planned invasion of LG secretariats

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Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has alerted security agencies to an alleged plan by purported Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, local government executives to invade council secretariats across the state.

The APC, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, alleged that the purported PDP chairmen and councillors planned to take over the 30 local government council secretariats and the Area Office today, Thursday.

According to the statement, “the alleged invasion was expected to be carried out with the assistance of political hoodlums allegedly recruited from within and outside Osun State.”

The party said the purported council executives had concluded arrangements to deploy the alleged hoodlums to execute the planned takeover of the council secretariats.

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The APC alleged that the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke had emboldened the purported PDP council executives to regroup and proceed with the alleged invasion plan.

It alleged that the plan was developed in conjunction with officials of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, accusing the union of being willing tools of the state government.

The party also referred to a Supreme Court judgment concerning one of the suits instituted by the purported PDP council executives, claiming that the court had described them as persons unknown to the law.

The APC urged the Osun State Police Command, Department of State Services, DSS, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to take proactive measures to prevent any alleged attempt to disrupt public peace.

“There is no tact and diplomacy in a set of hoodlums teaming up to promote disruption of public peace in the state on a matter that is still very much alive in the Court of Appeal,” the statement said.

The party urged the purported PDP council chairmen to allow the ongoing legal process to run its course, arguing that all parties to the dispute should await the determination of the courts.

“Any step that the aggrieved purported PDP local government council chairmen may take other than recourse to the court has no other name than a monumental illegality,” the APC said.

The party also recalled the killing of one of the reinstated APC council chairmen, Honourable Remi Abass of Irewole Local Government Area, who it said was killed by suspected PDP thugs currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The APC said the dispute over the tenure of the reinstated APC council executives remained pending before the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, and urged security agencies to beam their searchlight on the purported PDP council executives and NULGE officials should there be any breakdown of law and order.

As of the time of filing this report, the state chapter of the PDP and the state government are yet to react to the allegation.

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