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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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Google adds Nano Banana-powered image generation to Gemini’s Personal Intelligence

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Google on Thursday announced that Gemini’s Personal Intelligence feature will get Nano Banana-powered image generation to create images with personalized context.

That means its AI images can be created using Gemini’s understanding of your likes and interests, without those having to be explicitly noted in the prompt.

This works because Gemini already has context of your data through Google account connections, such as Gmail and Google Photos. So, instead of typing “Generate an image of my dream home, my interests are tennis and music,” you can now just say, “Design my dream home.” 

Image Credits:Google

What’s more, the Nano Banana-powered connection can also use the labels in your Google Photos, so that it understands names and words that describe a group, like “Family”. For instance, you can create an image by saying, “Generate an image of my family and me doing our favorite activity.”

The company said the “sources” button will show how Gemini derived the context for image generation.

Image Credits:Google

Google said that just like other connections, Gemini might get the context wrong, and you can provide feedback. Plus, you can also provide reference photos for image generation by clicking the “+” icon.

The image generation feature will be available to Plus, Pro, and Ultra subscribers in the U.S. within the coming days. Google plans to bring the feature to Gemini in Chrome desktop and to other users soon.

Google first launched Personal Intelligence earlier this year and made it available to all U.S. users in March. Earlier this week, the company expanded the feature to more users in countries like India and Japan.

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JUST IN: FG Graduates 744 Repentant Terrorists After Rehabilitation Programme

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No fewer than 744 former terrorists and victims of violent extremism on Thursday graduated from the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme under Operation Safe Corridor.

A breakdown of the graduates shows that two are from Abia State, 10 from Adamawa State, one from Akwa Ibom State, two from Anambra State, 12 from Bauchi State, 597 from Borno State, three from Ebonyi State, one from Enugu State, 15 from Kano State, three from Katsina State, one from Kebbi State, five from Kogi State, four from Nasarawa State, two from Niger State, two from Plateau State, two from Sokoto State, and 58 from Yobe State.

The participants also include foreign nationals: one from Burkina Faso, one from Cameroon, two from Chad, and four from the Niger Republic.

In terms of religion, 733 of the graduates are Muslims, while 11 are Christians.

Speaking at the ceremony in Gombe, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the initiative is not a reward for violence but a strategic tool to counter extremism.

Represented by the Director of Special Operations Forces at Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Kabiru Tanimu, he said the programme addresses the human dimension of insurgency and supports long-term peacebuilding.

He added that while military operations remain necessary to neutralise threats, sustainable peace depends on rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

Oluyede stressed that Operation Safe Corridor is not an amnesty programme, but a structured intervention aimed at reducing violence, weakening extremist recruitment, and promoting stability.

He urged the graduates to embrace a new path, warning against a return to violence, and encouraged them to contribute positively to society.

According to him, successful reintegration requires support from state governments, communities, families, and institutions.

Earlier, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig. Gen. Yusuf Ali, said the programme was designed as a strategic response to insurgency, combining security operations with rehabilitation efforts.

He explained that participants underwent psychosocial support, vocational training, religious reorientation, civic education, and behavioural transformation.

Ali noted that many beneficiaries were victims of coercion and forced recruitment, adding that the programme gives them an opportunity to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society as responsible citizens.

He emphasised that reintegration is a shared responsibility requiring community acceptance and institutional support.

The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Yahaya, represented by his aide, urged the graduates to embrace the opportunity for a fresh start and become productive members of society.

He said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to peacebuilding, de-radicalisation, and reintegration efforts.

The graduation highlights Nigeria’s continued shift towards combining military operations with non-kinetic strategies in addressing insurgency, particularly in the North-East, as part of broader efforts to reduce recidivism and promote long-term stability.

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