Nigeria’s Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has reacted to a letter written by the Chairman of Executive Jets Services, Sam Iwuajoku, apologizing to the authorities after his company was banned by the Ministry of Aviation for conveying singer, Naira Marley, to Abuja from Lagos for a concert in violation of COVID-19 guidelines.
The chairman in his apology, said he gave the approval for the flight thinking the passenger was the minister Fashola, as the flight manifesto contained the name Babatunde Fashola, not knowing that is was Naira Marley’s brother who also goes by the name Babatunde Fashola.
However, Babatunde Fashola said he has not travelled out of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, since March 22 so it is ridiculous for him to be linked with the flight that carried the singer.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, the former Governor’s Special Adviser on Communications, Hakeem Bello, said,
“The attention of the Office of the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, has been drawn to a letter signed by the Chairman/CEO of Executive Jets Services Limited, Dr Sam Iwuajoku concerning a flight it operated to Abuja last weekend.
“For purposes of clarity and in order to set the records straight, the Hon. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, has not travelled out of Abuja since March 22, 2020, when he returned there after an inspection tour of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway construction work and a visit to Lagos, before the lockdown.
“The decision of the Hon. Minister not to travel was taken in strict compliance with the Federal Government’s ban on inter-state travels as part of efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is therefore ridiculous for Dr Iwuajoku to attempt to link the Hon. Minister with any non-compliant flight.”
