Aviation
Controversy over N1.8bn severance package rocks SAHCO
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—as aggrieved ex-staff issue threat to ground operations
Eyewitness Reporter
Ex-workers of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) owned by Taiwo Afolabi, the Executive Vice-Chairman of SIFAX Group have issued a one-week ultimatum to the Ground Handling operator to pay the sum of N1.8billion as their severance package or risk their operations in the 22 airports in the country grounded.
The aggrieved workers claimed the management of the ground handling company has failed to pay this sum being their severance entitlement since 11 years when the company was privertised.
SAHCO, which has since gone public, was an arm of the defunct Nigerian Airways which was sold to SIFAX Group in 2009.
But the ex-workers, who are 982 in number, said no fewer than 15 of them have died fighting for their entitlemenst while many of them are currently incapacitated.
They however gave the company and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) one week to pay their entitlement, saying failure to do so would disrupt SAHCO’s operation in 22 airports across the country.
Chairman of the former SAHCO retirees, Ochai Adamu, who spoke with newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, asked the BPE to intervene in the matter immediately, adding that SAHCO has handed off payment of the benefits.
He said the entire benefit was N3.5bn but was later reduced to N1.8bn, adding that none of the workers has got any money in 11 years.
Aviation unions, comprising the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) had on 31st of August wrote a letter to SAHCO that the continued refusal to pay the benefit of the affected workers “is a recipe for industrial crisis in the company.”
“We are constrained, therefore, to inform you that our unions can no longer wait helplessly and hopelessly as these victims die one after another without enjoying the benefits of their labour,” the unions said in the letter signed by the General Secretary of NUATE, Comrade Ocheme Aba, and Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Comrade Frances Akinjole.
But SAHCO in a reply to the letter insisted that the redundancy claim by the ex-workers is for the number of years they worked for the federal government and not for SAHCO, and directed that the threat should be directed to the appropriate quarters.
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Aviation
FG rewards airport misconduct of KWAM 1 with juicy contract of music ambassador of FAAN
Aviation
KWAM 1 risks two years imprisonment over Abuja Airport incident
Aviation
News Alert! FG slams 6 months no- fly sanction on Fuji star singer, KWAM 1 over Abuja Airport incident
The Nigerian government through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has blacklisted popular Nigerian Fuji singer, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, known by stage name KWAM .
He was blacklisted on Thursday, August 7th, 2025 for 6 months following his fracas with the ValueJet Airline at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025.
During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain, FAAN explained.
FAAN stated that in accordance with international aviation security standards—specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17—liquids exceeding 100ml “are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared.”
It said the passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply.
However, the passenger allegedly refused and spilled the content of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol.
The statement added, “The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door”
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