The House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Management to cease issuing airstrip licences to private individuals and organisations, including Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church, and to review approvals already granted.
This resolution followed the adoption of a motion presented by Hon. Sulaiman Gumi at Wednesday’s plenary.
During the motion, Gumi highlighted that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Living Faith Church situated on Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State.
He further noted that on October 6, 2024, Bishop Oyedepo announced the Federal Government’s approval of an airstrip for his church during a church gathering at Covenant University Chapel in Ota, Ogun State, saying, “Also aware that on Sunday, 6th October, 2024, the Founder of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, during the Tehillah Night Special edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State informed his congregation of the approval of an airstrip granted by the Federal Government to his Church.”
Expressing his concerns about Nigeria’s current security challenges, Gumi remarked on the illegal importation and proliferation of firearms and ammunition, as well as the smuggling of hard drugs. He noted the struggles of security agencies to identify the sources of weapons supplied to insurgents, kidnappers, and separatists, who have caused mass casualties across the nation.
He recalled an event from September 2014, saying that in September 2014, a prominent religious leader was linked with a private jet used to convey $9.3 million in cash to South Africa for purchase of arms. The jet, which was seized by South African authorities, had two Nigerians and an Israeli on board.
Gumi warned that granting airstrips to private individuals and organisations could facilitate the illegal importation of firearms and drugs, exacerbating issues such as insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry, which are severely hindering the country’s socio-economic development.
The House then called on the ministry to withdraw existing private airstrip approvals, stating, “Call on the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace to stop issuance of airstrip licence to private individuals and organisations, and also withdraw approvals already granted to private individuals and organisations, with a view to safeguarding national security.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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