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Meet New FAAN MD, Captain Rabiu Yadudu
The Federal Government on Monday appointed Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu as Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Until the appointment, the pilot with considerable industry experience was Director of Operations at FAAN.
He replaces Saleh Dunoma, who had spent over three decades at the aviation agency before he was appointed many years ago.
Yadudu’s entry, according to industry watchers, is another attempt by the outgoing Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to entrench some interests in the sector.
Yadudu hails from Kano State while Dunoma is from Borno State.
A statement by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Affairs in the Ministry of Transport, Aviation, James Odaudu, said the appointment takes immediate effect.
The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Captain Rabiu Hadudu as the new MD of FAAN.
Yadudu, an ICAO/ACI-accredited Airport Professional, holds professional certifications in Avionics, Airport Safety Management Systems, Airport Security Management, among others.
He is a seasoned aviator with considerable experience in domestic, regional and inter/trans-continental scheduled passenger, charter, cargo and, most recently, Aero Medical operations.
The pilot was also the Director of Airport Operations (DAO) at FAAN.
Yadudu also holds a current NCAA and FAA licences as Captain-in-Command on Boeing 747,200/300, Learjet 45 XR and Cessna Citation Sovereign – CE-680 aircraft.
He graduated from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in 1993 as a Licensed Aircraft Maintenances Engineer (AVIONICS) and later trained at Delta Aeronautics in Forth Worth, Texas, United States of America (U.S.A), where he obtained his Commercial Pilot Licence in 1995.
Yadudu started his career in the industry with the Nigeria Airways as an Avionics Maintenance Engineer but later left for Kabo Air, where he joined as a co-pilot and rose to become a Captain in 2007.
In the course of his career at Kabo Air, he served at different points – as the Safety Pilot, Head of Safety and Chief Pilot.
Yadudu is married and has children.
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has argued that there is nothing wrong if Nigeria evolves into a one-party state, provided it reflects the will of the people.
Speaking to State House correspondents on Friday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Ganduje dismissed concerns raised by opposition leaders over the country’s political direction.
He insisted that the growing dominance of the APC is a reflection of public trust in the party’s governance.
“If one-party state is a wish and blessing to Nigeria; One-party state is not by force; it is by negotiation,” Ganduje said.
“If other political parties see the effect of the positive governance of our party and decide to come to our party willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that.”
Citing China as an example of a successful one-party system, Ganduje stated that the APC is not actively working to eliminate opposition, but that defections and realignments are part of democratic processes.
“Too many political parties spoil governance,” he added.
Ganduje led three senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly from Kebbi State, to meet with President Tinubu, announcing their intention to join the APC.
According to him, their defection is the result of extensive negotiations among stakeholders in the state and is part of APC’s broader strategy to strengthen its base.
“This is a good development and in consonance with what is happening in Nigeria today. Almost every week in the Senate and House of Representatives, you see members of other political parties decamping to our party,” he said.
Ganduje assured that the APC is prepared to smoothly integrate the new members, maintaining that the party’s strategy to expand both its numbers and the quality of its membership is aligned with democratic principles.
The Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distanced herself from a viral TikTok video that surfaced online showing her dancing to “Omo Ologo”, a song in praise of President Bola Tinubu.
In a public disclaimer released via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Akpoti-Uduaghan denied owning any TikTok account, warning the public against being misled by parody accounts across various social media platforms.
“I do not own a TikTok account,” she posted.
“Many parody accounts exist in my name on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Some have garnered large followings.”
She clarified that the circulating video was manipulated from an old 2023 clip and repurposed with “mischievous intent” to mislead the public.
“While I hold the President in utmost respect, I’d urge everyone to disregard the mischievous post made using an old 2023 video of mine,” she stated.
The video, sound-tracked by “Omo Ologo”, a praise song performed by Dauda Kahutu Rarara at a recent event attended by Tinubu in Katsina, appeared to depict the senator aligning herself with the president’s camp.
President Bola Tinubu has issued a passionate call for unity, resilience, and renewed patriotism, urging Nigerians to stand firm behind ongoing reforms aimed at rebuilding the country’s economic foundation.
Speaking during a grand reception in Awka, Anambra State, on the occasion of his state visit, President Tinubu acknowledged the current challenges facing the nation but assured the people that the hard choices were necessary for lasting prosperity.
“We continue to plead with Nigerians for their patience and understanding,” Tinubu appealed.
“We call on all patriots and progressives to rise and continue to work hard every day for the greatness of our dear country. We have no other country but Nigeria. We must make it great as the pride of the black race.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, citing progress made in economic reform, infrastructure investment, and improved public finance management.
“We met near-insolvent public finance… unsustainable multiple subsidies… a chaotic and debilitating forex regime. These monsters have been tackled,” he said.
Highlighting renewed investor confidence and growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, Tinubu said the “Renewed Hope Agenda” was already yielding visible results.
He particularly commended Anambra for leading in innovation and development, referencing the commissioning of the Solution Fun City and Government House Mini-City as signs of progress.
Describing Governor Chukwuma Soludo as “a brilliant man” and “a thinker who knows the way,” Tinubu added: “We are working together for a better Anambra and Nigeria.”
The president also praised Anambra State for fully implementing and even surpassing the new national minimum wage, calling it “a signal of true leadership and compassion for the working class.”
Asserting the federal government’s commitment to equitable development, Tinubu promised increased investment in roads, power, rail, and digital infrastructure across all regions, including the Southeast.
