House to probe worthiness of aircraft's in Nigeria. - Tambuwal

Sky Watch Nigeria.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Aminu Tambuwal has said that the House of Reps will probe the air worthiness of all civilian and military aircrafts flying in Nigeria.

He made this assertion through a statement on Monday 17 December in Abuja by his spokesman Imam Imam putting perspective on naval helicopter crash, which killed Kaduna State Governor, former National Security Adviser Gen Andrew Azazi and four others, on Saturday in Bayelsa State.

Tambuwal has said that the House would liaise with aviation authorities to conduct checks on all aircraft in order to ascertain their airworthiness and to prevent future mishap.

House spokesman Rep. Zakari Mohammed (PDP, Kwara) disclosed that a motion on the matter would be debated on the floor of the House this week

In his condolence, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha expressed shock at the helicopter crash. He said this in a statement by his spokesman Oke Epia.

A report on the probe by the House on the Dana plane crash which killed 153 people on board and injured several others is still to be presented to the parliament for consideration.

Navy Confirms Crash Of Its Helicopter.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

THE Nigerian Navy last night confirmed the crash of its Agusta helicopter around the Nembe-Okoroba area of Bayelsa State.

In a Press statement released by Naval Headquarters, Naval spokesman Commodore Kabir Aliyu said: “A Nigerian Navy Agusta helicopter (helo 07) crashed today Saturday 15 December 2012 at about 3:30pm around Nembe-Okoroba area in Bayelsa State, the helicopter was conveying Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to Port Harcourt from Okoroba village.”

He further added: “Search and rescue operation is on-going by a combined team of personnel from Joint Task Force (OPS PULO SHIELD), Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, NEMA and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps. Further details on the crash will be made available as received.”

Sources say that Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, former Governor of Kaduna State and immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi were burnt to death in the helicopter crash. 

The source also added that Mr. Yakowa, had earlier arrived the venue of the interdenominational service of the burial of the father of Presidential Adviser, Oronto Douglas, with Seriake Dickson governor of Bayelsa State, Gen Azazi, former governor of Bauchi State Alhaji Adamu Muazu, Oba Otudeko, Mr. Timi Alaibe and other top government functionaries.

The crashed Helo 07 was one of the two helicopters at the burial venue. The other conveyed the Chief of staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe who represented President, Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu, Private Principal Secretary to the President, Mr Mohammed Tukur and the immediate past Presidential Spokesman, Mr Ima Niboro.

SOURCE: The Guardian.

Governor Yakowa, Azazi as victims of Bayelsa Helicopter crash.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

A military Helicopter which reportedly crashed in Bayelsa state has claimed the life of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser Andrew Owoye Azazi.

Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi, a retired military general who served as chief security adviser to 

President Goodluck Jonathan, Dudas Tsoho, Azazi’s orderly, the pilot and his co-pilot  were said to be on board the helicopter when it crashed.

The Nigeria's National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) indicated that the agency had activated a search for a crashed helicopter.

Governor Yakowa and Mr. Azazi were among many political figures who reportedly attended the burial of the father of senior presidential aide Oronto Douglas. The funeral event took place in the Nembe area of Bayelsa State earlier today reports say that the crashed helicopter was one of several helicopters that some well-connected people to the funeral.

The crash is another recent tragedy claiming people of national interest on the heels of a plane crash on October 25, 2012 that has left Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State brain-damaged.