- Bishop David Oyedepo informed his congregation about an airstrip approval for Living Faith Church
- Concerns raised about potential links between private airstrips and illegal activities
- House of Representatives called for the discontinuation of airstrip licenses to private individuals
In a bid to enhance national security, the House of Representatives has called on the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to discontinue the issuance of airstrip licenses to private individuals and organisations and to withdraw those already issued to Living Faith Church and others.
This decision was made on Wednesday, October 30, after the House adopted an urgent motion introduced by Rep. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi during a plenary session in Abuja, called “Need to Stop Issuance of Airstrip License to Private Individuals and Organisations in the Country.”
Gumi recalls incident involving arms purchase with private jet, others
In presenting the motion, Gumi pointed out that the Federal Government, via Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo, had confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church, located in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He also mentioned that on October 6, 2024, during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, Bishop David Oyedepo, the Founder of Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), told his congregation about the Federal Government's approval of an airstrip for the Church.
“Recall that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3m in cash to South Africa for the purchase of arms. The private jet which was seized by the South African authorities had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board, (Sahara Reporters, 16th September 2014);
“The country currently experiences security challenges through illegal importation/proliferation of firearms and ammunition, importation of illicit/hard drugs, coupled with the inability of our security agencies to pinpoint the source of supply of weapons to insurgents, kidnappers and separatists that have massacred thousands of Nigerians across the Country;
“Granting airstrip to private individuals and organisations will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country,” Gumi stated.
The House urged the Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance to take necessary steps to ensure compliance.
House of Reps initiates free internet services in public spaces across Nigeria
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the House of Representatives initiated a plan to provide free internet in selected public spaces across Nigeria.
The initiative targeted underserved communities to enhance educational opportunities and support local entrepreneurship.