In the wake of the new week, several international and local airports in Nigeria on Monday, January 23, 2023, have been grounded as Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) called an indefinite strike over salary increments.
What happened to passengers: As a result, many passengers at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, (MMA2) Lagos and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) were sighted stranded outside the airport terminal as their flights were either being delayed or rescheduled.
How we know this is true: The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, confirmed the strike action in an official statement, co-signed by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, confirmed the strike action in an official statement, co-signed by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, confirmed the strike action in an official statement, co-signed by the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
What the Aviation Unions are saying: “As all ultimatums issued by our Unions have gone unheeded, and the management continues to play on our intelligence through scheduling of purposeless meetings, we have come to the conclusion that the management is clearly decided against harkening to our cries for fairness and equity, despite overwhelming evidence in support of our demand.
“In view of the above, NUATE and ATSSSAN have no choice but to take definite steps to press. home our demands.”
“My Qatar flight returned to Doha”: Speaking to news reporters, an eyewitness passenger, Alex Nwuba, noted that NAHCO staff walked out of the international airport, saying they were on strike and will not handle any passengers.
“The Qatar flight I’m traveling with this morning landed and has returned to Doha as there’s no one to handle them,” Nwuba said.
Another stranded passenger posted on Twitter, “No Departure Check in & No Arrival of Flights for now Departing Passengers Stranded.”
What to expect: Daniel Young, an aviation analyst said the situation will result in enormous financial losses for passengers.
Editor’s comment: The airlines, as businesses, will also suffer losses. Nigeria’s revenue from taxes on aviation will also experience a decline, this month if the situation persists.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
