Outgoing President Buhari has approved the renaming of 15 airports after some prominent Nigerians.
A statement released by the Ministry of Aviation and signed by the Head of Press and Public Affairs, Odutayo Oluseyi, disclosed that the approval was given on Friday, May 2.
According to the statements, the airports to be renamed include Akure International Airport named after Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu; Benin International Airport now known as Oba Akenzua II; Dutse International Airport renamed Muhammed Nuhu Sanusi; Ebonyi International Airport renamed Chuba Wilberforce airport and Gombe International Airport renamed Brigadier Zakari Maimalari.
Others include Ibadan International Airport renamed after Samuel Ladoke Akintola; Ilorin International Airport renamed after General Tunde Abdullahi Idiagbon; Kaduna International Airport renamed after Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina and Maiduguri International Airport renamed after President Muhammadu Buhari.
The statement added that Makurdi International Airport will now be known as Joseph Sarwuan Tarka; Minna International Airport renamed Mall. Abubakar Imam; Nasarrawa International Airport renamed after Sheikh Usman Danfodio; Osubi International Airport renamed Alfred Diete Spiff; Port Harcourt International Airport renamed Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo and Yola International Airport now known as Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Airport.
Meanwhile, President Buhari also approved the renaming of about 15 airports in the country.
The airports include Akure International Airport named after Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu; Benin International Airport now known as Oba Akinzua ii, Dutse International Airport renamed Muhammed Nuhu Sanusi, Ebonyi International Airport Okadigbo now known as Chuba Wilberforce, and Gombe International Airport renamed Brigadier Zakari Maimalari.
Others include Ibadan International Airport (Samuel Ladoke Akintola), Ilorin International Airport (General Tunde Abdullahi Idiagbon), Kaduna International Airport (Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina), and Maiduguri International Airport (President Muhammadu Buhari).
While Makurdi International Airport was renamed after Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, Minna International Airport was renamed Mall. Abubakar Imam, Nasarrawa International Airport named after Sheikh Usman Danfodio, Osubi International Airport renamed Alfred Diete Spiff, Port Harcourt International Airport renamed Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, and Yola International Airport now known as Lamido Aliyu Mustapha Airport.
Recall that, the Lagos State Government has announced its intention to begin construction of a new airport on the state’s Lekki axis.
This was revealed by Mr. Ope George, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), during a media chat hosted by the State Government on Thursday in Alausa, Ikeja.
George revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration sought and received Federal Government approval for the construction of a new airport in Lagos.
He said that the project, which is expected to take off in the year 2023 will be constructed on 3,500 hectares of land, noting that the master plan and aeronautical designs are in place.
George also stated that studies are ongoing about strategies, funding, and other issues, after which the project will be taken to the marketplace.
The Special Adviser also said that the airport, which is expected to cater to a minimum of 5 million people yearly, will be constructed in partnership with local and foreign investors.
The construction of a new airport by the Lagos State Government had always been in the offing on the Lekki axis, which is one of the 4 important growth corridors in the state.
The Lekki axis has played host to several major development projects such as the Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, Dangote Fertilizer, the soon-to-be-completed Lekki Deep Sea Port, some major industrial concerns, and others.
According to some earlier reports, the proposed Lekki Airport project is projected to cost about $450 million in its first phase and had originally been planned to commence operations in 2012.
The commencement of operations of the new airport is expected to help decongest the ever-busy Murtala Muhammed Airport at Ikeja, Lagos State.
READ ALSO: Lagos Govt. To Begin Construction Of the New Airport In 2023
Source: lindaikejisblog.com