Travel News

By Shola Adekola

Nigeria’s domestic carriers lose at least N4.3 billion annually due to their restriction to operate 24 hours flight daily to the airports of their choice.

Revealing this on Thursday was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ibom Air, Mr George Uriesi, while delivering a paper at the 26th annual conference organized by the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) with the theme: ‘Sunset Airports: Economic and Safety Implications’, held in Lagos.

While describing the lack of 24 hours flight operations to major routes across Nigeria as impediment to the growth of the airlines, Uriesi in his paper titled:  ‘Maximizing Runway Utilisation: A Nigerian Airline Perspective,’ lamented how the domestic carriers were losing an average of N4 million per flight, N12 million in every flight, N360 million in 90 flights totaling N4.3 billion annually on every flight lost to sunset airport operations.

The restriction, he said had led to a huge underutilization of aircraft fleets by the local carriers as against the global industry standards just as he declared: “This is due partly because of too many impediments in the operating environment that limit airline productivity. These include limited runway availability across the domestic network, multiple operational infrastructure deficiencies, poor organization and many others.”

Speaking on the way out, the Ibom Air COO urged the federal government to prioritize airfield infrastructure and provide the necessary Instrument Landing System (ILS) and accompanying accessories for every airport, while also keeping the aerodromes open to meet the needs of airlines and other users.

He equally advised that the government should make current, approved master plans a regulatory requirement for every airport and illegalize non-adherence to the master plans by any organization, saying: “Establishing a local aircraft lessor /financing vehicle that would allow for the domiciling of aircraft payments in local currency would make a huge difference to the air transport sector in Nigeria.”

BY  Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha 

Neos Airlines, Italian carrier has commenced direct flight services from its base in Malden City, Milan, Italy to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

Stakeholders say the commencement of Neos flight operations into Nigeria signals boost for travel and air connectivity into and out of Nigeria.

The airline, which landed on the runway of the Lagos airport at 12:30a.m with dignitaries from both countries, promised to entrench safety and one-time schedule in its operations.

The airline, which commenced scheduled operations with just one flight weekly, said that it would increase it to three frequencies weekly in the coming months with plans to go daily in the future.

Currently, the airline is deploying a Boeing 787-800 aircraft to the Nigerian route, but stressed that it would in the future deploy a widebody aircraft.

Speaking at the inaugural flight, Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, expressed delight with the commencement of the flight.

Keyamo who was represented at the event by Hassan Ejibunu, a Director in the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that the airline had added to the growing number of foreign carriers that had started flight services to Nigeria in the past 18 months of this administration.

Keyamo said that this would further create employment opportunities for Nigerians, while the sector would also contribute more to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria.

He assured that the ministry would continue to support all foreign investments in the sector, saying this would have a ripple effect on Nigeria.

He said: “I am happy to say that today is quite significant to me, as this is another record of accomplishment in terms of breaking the barriers being encountered in direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Italy, since the exit of Alitalia Air from Nigeria some years back. The direct flight from Milan in Italy to Lagos, Nigeria, will make connectivity from Nigeria to Italy and beyond very seamless.

“The commencement of flight operations of NEOS S.P.A Air to Nigeria has an element of history. It began when the airline was designated by the Italian Aeronautical Authorities on the Nigeria-Italy route.

“However, a follow-up on the designation was made on its behalf by Messrs Skymaster Achievers International Services Ltd., its local partners in Nigeria, and through the diplomatic support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, in conjunction with the Italian Embassy in Nigeria.”

He added that the direct flight was going to be a catalyst towards propelling the already established economic and bilateral relations between Nigeria and Italy which is home to 99,630 Nigerians who are legally residing in the country, accounting for 2.7 per cent of all third country nationals.

Also, Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, described the launch of the airline’s direct trip to Nigeria as an, “official re-launch of the Nigeria-Italy Airlinks.

Represented at the occasion by Alex Kefas, the Director of the European Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Nigeria had great businessmen and women in Italy, stressing that this direct flight would boost import and export to Italy and some other European countries.

He said: “I also think this should be extended to other cities in Nigeria. The ambassador has appealed that this should happen very soon. I want to appeal to you to keep the flag going. Nigerians on the route should be good ambassadors of the country.”

MfawaAbam, immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Italy, described the project as his baby.

According to him, as a Nigerian ambassador to Italy, he witnessed firsthand the challenges Nigerian residing in Italy were going through to connect flights to Nigeria, but expressed the optimism that with the direct flight, such sordid experience would be eliminated.

He congratulated Neos Airlines and Skymaster for commencement of the flight services.

Also, Aldo Samataro, a representative of Neos Airlines, said the company was proud to start the direct flight.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, arrived in Nigeria on Sunday on his first official visit to Africa, underscoring a renewed emphasis on economic collaboration and growth-centered diplomacy between the UK and African nations.

His visit marks the beginning of a five-month consultation aimed at reshaping UK-Africa relations to prioritise African voices and ambitions across the continent.

This was contained in a statement signed and released by the Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, Ndidiamaka Eze, on Sunday.

In Nigeria, Lammy will advocate for deeper trade and investment ties, supporting what he described as a fresh, respectful approach that builds “long-term growth rather than short-term solutions.”

Lammy stressed Africa’s significant potential, noting that by 2050, it is set to account for a quarter of the world’s population.

A contactless biometric capture system for Nigerian passport applicants initiated by the federal government has gone live for citizens residing in Canada, according to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

The project has gone underway at a time when the Nigerian government has been warned about the risk of handing biometric data capture and management tasks to foreign third-party entities.

The mobile application dubbed NIS Contactless Biometrics App, which enables the remote capture of face and fingerprint biometrics for passport renewal applicants, launched in Canada on November 1. The app can be downloaded from Play store or Appstore.

Authorities say the service will be available for Nigerians in the United Kingdom, United States and Italy on November 15, while the rollout in Nigeria and all other parts of the world will happen on December 1.

The NIS has explained details of the new mobile application launch and the process for using it in an X thread.

To use the app, an applicant needs to register as a new user, before initiating a passport renewal application. Once the application process is initiated, they are required to input their NIN to autofill their biographic data. Then, they can proceed to biometric capture with contactless option. Choosing a digital payment option and completing the payment is the last stage of the application process.

The contactless biometric passport application system finally goes operational after several months of preparation fronted by the NIS and the Ministry of Interior.

Last month, Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, held a working session with various stakeholders to finalize work on the launch of the initiative.

There have been complaints by some early users of the system in Canada, with some saying the app is too heavy, and others claiming they encountered trust issues with the app on Play store.

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission lauds initiative

As the project launches, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has already expressed gratitude to the Interior Minister and his collaborators for making this a reality.

The Chairperson/CEO of NiDCOM, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is quoted by Voice of Nigeria as saying the move is a response to Nigerians living aboard who had long called for an improvement in the passport application process.

“Advocacy is at the heart of NiDCOM’s work. We are prepared to collaborate fully with the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service to ensure that Nigerians in the Diaspora are well informed about these developments and continue to be a bridge between Nigeria and its diaspora,” the NiDCOM Chairperson said during a meeting with Tunji-Ojo.

Outsourcing biometric capture is risky

As Nigeria pursues its digital transformation projects, the government has to beware of the kind of deals it srikes when it comes to biometric data management.

This is the caution from the Secretary General of the African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Conference (ITUC-Africa), Joel Odigie, per The Guardian.

In a letter to Tunji-Ojo, Odigie advises that the government must retake full control of biometric data management which is vital for the safety and security of citizens.

Concerns about visa-on-arrival system addressed

The visa-on-arrival system of the Nigerian government faced some hitches last month, but the NIS has assured that things have come back to normal. In a statement, the NIS said the challenges were linked to an upgrade on the digital payment platforms by some financial institutions. It said all platforms of the service are fully functional, and that people could apply for visas from the comfort of their homes.

By Felix Onuah

Delta Airlines has celebrated its 25 years of nurturing innovative younger generations who are committed to excellence.

Delta in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria has been pushing for a transformative initiative and Nigeria’s commitment to nurturing the potential of young Nigerians.

In a statement by the Airline made available statement  to The PUNCH on Tuesday, Delta noted that in celebrating its 25 years of contributing to innovative excellence, 12 students from across the nation demonstrated their expertise, excellence, and innovative solutions at the National Company of the year competition, themed ‘Greenovation.’

During the NCOY event, Manager of Sales for West Africa at Delta Air Lines, Mary Gbobaniyi, highlighted the significance of this year’s theme, expressing how the program serves as a vital platform for secondary school students to engage with and solve pressing issues facing society today.

“Innovation is part of Delta’s DNA, and we understand the importance of sustainability in business practices,” Gbobaniyi said.

The event saw the decoration of 15 girls from 12 competing schools, as – Delta Girls Lead awards –an awards recognition within the larger competition — recognised the exemplary efforts of the chosen participants.

Gbobaniyi stated that the awarded girls will have the opportunity to attend the JA Girls Leadership Camp in March 2025 in Ghana.

He said, “These awards reflect a commitment to elevating female representation in various sectors, particularly in business and leadership roles. By selecting these young women for a unique trip to Ghana, Delta Air Lines provides them with an invaluable opportunity to broaden their horizons and gain exposure to different perspectives and experiences.

“The journey of these young entrepreneurs is not without its challenges. Participants in the JA Nigeria NCOY competition undergo rigorous qualifying rounds at the state level, where they compete against hundreds of youth startups.

“This competitive process is designed to ensure that only the most innovative and promising ideas advance to the national stage. The culmination of their efforts leads to the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the JA Africa Company of the Year competition, scheduled to take place in Mauritius.”

BY  Michael Olugbode in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has described the Nigerian Diasporans as an indispensable asset to the nation.

The President expressed this position in his keynote address at the 7th Edition of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit, a private sector driven initiative, with the theme: Adapting Stability through Diaspora Investment: Navigating the Path to Prosperity.

Tinubu also said that small businesses are the backbone of any economy as they are more than just sources of income; lifelines for families, communities, and the nation as a whole.

The President who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the event that was held at the State House Banquet Hall, assured the Diasporans of the government’s commitment to provide enabling environment for investment.

While acknowledging the role of the Diasporans in a nation’s economic development, the President said: “The Diaspora plays a critical role in any nation’s development. You, our brothers and sisters abroad, are an indispensable asset to our great nation. You are not only ambassadors of Nigeria in your respective countries, but also torch-bearers of excellence, innovation, and resilience.

“Your achievements across the globe are a source of immense pride for all of us. Yet, beyond pride, we recognize the unique potential you hold in helping shape the future of Nigeria. We recognize that by leveraging on your knowledge, expertise, and global connections, we can fuel our nation’s progress and thus bridge the developmental gap between Nigeria and the rest of the world.

He further said: “This is why the theme of this year’s Summit, “Adapting Stability through Diaspora Investment: Navigating the Path to Prosperity”, is not only relevant but underscores the role you can play in helping us secure a brighter future for all Nigerians.”

He assured investors that “Nigeria is open for business; we are committed to providing the support and enabling environment you need to invest with confidence. Together, let us forge partnerships that will drive progress and prosperity for our nation.

“We are here to help you navigate the journey ahead and provide the backing needed to turn your ideas into reality.”

The President added: “As highlighted in the theme of this event, “adapting stability” Diaspora investment is the cornerstone for navigating the path to prosperity in any nation. It is thus in recognition of this truth, that from our very first day in office, we committed ourselves to a tireless pursuit of stabilisation across every key facet of our country.

“In our journey to reshape our nation, we have placed a focused lens on tackling the longstanding challenges that have so far hindered our progress, particularly within the realms of economic reforms, security enhancement, food security, transportation, energy, education, health and infrastructural development.

“These areas are not merely pillars of our policy; they are fundamental components of a stable and resilient nation”. The President commended NIDCOM and the Nigeria Diaspora Summit Initiative (NDSI) for putting the summit together, saying “And by bringing together local entrepreneurs and diaspora investors, they are not just supporting individual ventures but forging collaborations that will drive our nation’s prosperity forward.

“Indeed, it is this kind of forward-thinking that aligns with our mission of stabilization and growth, thus paving the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for Nigeria,” he said.

The President listed some of the critical steps taken since assuming office, which include the removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira.

He said to ameliorate the effect on the masses, the administration came up with a number of palliative measures, which include Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, cash transfers, Naira for Crude among others.

Tinubu added that: “We aim not only to reduce transportation costs by up to 60% but also to alleviate the economic pressure on our citizens by creating cheap transportation, new jobs in conversion centres and refueling stations as well as ultimately strengthening our economy by reducing dependence on imported fuels.”

On cash transfer, the President said: “So far, as testified to by a World Bank report, about 1.7 million Nigerians have directly benefited from this program. Building on this progress, we recently initiated the second phase, disbursing over N10.28 billion to 411,292 households across all 36 states of the federation with the aim of ensuring that every family in need is reached and supported.

“In September 2024, we took further steps to enhance this initiative by disbursing an additional N24 billion to nearly one million households. This is more than just giving out money; it’s our way of saying, “We see you; we hear you, and we are in this together.

“Furthermore, this administration has taken a comprehensive approach to security by addressing the root causes of instability. We introduced initiatives like the N50 billion Pulako Initiative, aimed at fostering peace and development in conflict-prone areas.

“In addition, our youth empowerment programs provide meaningful opportunities for young people, steering them away from crime and violence. These efforts are already yielding positive results. Over 4,600 hostages have been freed, more than 9,300 hostile elements neutralized, and over 7,000 terrorists and bandits arrested.”

He added that the administration has invested heavily on military hardware and others include drones.

The President also announced to the participants that all the sectors to be considered at the summit are already experiencing reforms.

He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to inform all participants that each of the sectors being highlighted at this Summit, whether it is Finance, ICT, Agribusiness, Healthcare, Real Estate, Manufacturing, or Energy, are already experiencing ongoing reforms designed to attract investments.”

He further assured them that the government is committed to “creating an enabling environment that fosters growth and innovation in these key areas. There are vast investment opportunities waiting to be tapped, and with our focused approach to sectoral reforms, we can assure immense returns for those willing to invest and contribute to our nation’s growth.”

Tinubu also appealed for their support in implementing the impressive reforms aimed at transforming the economy and enhancing the nation’s resilience.

He added: “We know that the government cannot achieve this vision alone. The Diaspora are our invaluable partners in this journey to national prosperity and unlocking the full potential of our initiatives, thus Diaspora involvement is not just welcomed; it is essential. We are well aware of the need to structurally engage and leverage on talent and resources of the Diaspora in achieving a prosperous nation.”

On his part, Director General, Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa, Amb. Rabiu Dagari, said Nigeria Diasporans remains the key to drive the nation forward.

He said: “Our nation stands at a pivotal juncture, where both stability and sustainable growth are imperative and paramount. The Nigerian Diaspora, one of the country’s greatest assets, plays a central role in shaping this future. As a reservoir of talent, resources, and innovation, the Nigeria Diaspora are key to fostering economic resilience and driving Nigeria toward long term prosperity.

“Let us be reminded therefore that our strength in navigating this global economic turbulence lies in our ability to harness the diverse talents and resources of these Nigerians across the globe. The Nigeria Diaspora Investment Summit (NDIS) facilitates this by encouraging Diaspora investment into productive ventures that not only grow and diversify the economy, but also provide jobs and transfer of skills and capacities.”

NDIS Coordinator, Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, explained that “this summit    is more than just a meeting; it is a movement. It is a call to action, inviting us all to harness our collective energies, our ideas, and our resources to shape a prosperous country for ourselves and the    generations to come.”

By Joshua Odeyemi

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed on a strategic partnership that will elevate the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

The agreement was reached when the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Right Honourable David Lammy MP, met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, according to a statement from the UK High Commission in Nigeria.

The Strategic Partnership was signed by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and Foreign Secretary David Lammy and will serve as a framework for the UK and Nigeria to advance cooperation on a range of priority issues, including economic growth, foreign policy and security.

The Strategic Partnership also confirms a commitment between the two governments to hold a Nigeria-UK Bi-National Commission, which will provide a vehicle to assess the Strategic Partnership and discuss issues of high mutual importance.

The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: “Nigeria is the first country I have visited in Africa as Foreign Secretary because our relationship is important and there are exciting opportunities to strengthen it further.

“I am delighted to have agreed today to a new Nigeria-UK Strategic Partnership. This is an overarching framework covering the breadth of what we do together from growth and jobs to national security, tackling the climate and nature crisis to strengthening our people-to-people ties.”

The Foreign Secretary also met the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, to discuss UK support for Nigeria’s economic reforms and mutual economic growth opportunities.

During his visit, the Foreign Secretary initiated a package of support for Nigeria’s economic reforms through three pillars of the UK Centre of Expertise on Public Finance.

The three pillars are Peer-to-peer support between His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs Capacity Building Unit and the Nigerian  Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); the UK’s Institute of Fiscal and Studies and Overseas Development Institute collaborating with the Nigerian Ministry of Finance on tax policy; and delivery of a major new initiative through the Public Finance Resource Centre, starting in Nigeria in 2025.

The collaboration between Nigerian and UK institutions who are sharing technical knowledge on critical reforms will support the use of evidence in tax policy formulation, help raise tax revenues in line with the government’s objectives and improve public financial management systems so that revenues are used effectively.

By Naureen S. Malik

(Bloomberg) -- Problems plaguing power supplies to more than 5 million US households threaten to reduce efficiency and damage home appliances, with Chicago the worst-affected area.

That’s according to new data from Whisker Labs Inc., which tracks power-quality metrics in real-time via about 850,000 residential sensors.

The problem stems from something known as bad harmonics, also referred to as “noisy” or “distorted” power. 

Power becomes “noisy” when the waves of electricity traveling across high-voltage lines become flatter or otherwise deviate from the ideal pattern. It’s similar to the noise or static that can be heard when a speaker’s volume is jacked up higher than it can handle. Bad harmonics on the power grid can cause home electronics to run hot, or even cause the motors in refrigerators or air conditioners to rattle.  

“It’s really truly an insidious problem, in that the damage that is caused by high harmonics — noisy power - is actually a long-term effect,” said Bob Marshall, chief executive officer of Whisker Labs. “It continues to damage everything that uses that electricity and shortens the life, and causes them to use a lot more energy.”

Of the US homes that have concerning levels of bad harmonics, roughly 70% of them are concentrated in 10 utility territories in the lower 48 states. They include the Chicago area, Denver and Boulder, Colorado, along with Seattle and large swaths of New Jersey and Baltimore.

“Noisy” power is one of the many symptoms of a US grid that is increasingly facing stress. Power supplies are being tested by extreme weather, increasing demand and aging infrastructure.

This is the first time granular data from a household level is available to the public. Total harmonic distortion is a closely watched metric by the utility industry. Engineering standards set the limits for acceptable deviations, which are measured as a percentage. Distortions exceeding 8% are red flags that can shorten the life of appliances and gadgets. 

While it’d be nearly impossible to pin down exactly when bad harmonics led to specific appliance failures, the burden over time on consumers can add up, Marshall said. 

“This is over years, billions and billions of dollars in losses that are accumulating,” he said in an interview. 

Whisker Labs will start alerting customers that have installed the company’s home sensor devices about bad harmonics starting this week, so that households inform local utilities about potential problems. The Germantown, Maryland-based company already sends notices to homes that are facing urgent fire risk because of power surges — its devices can measure power quality more broadly.

By Kayode Lawal

As part of the preparations for the 2025 Hajj operations, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, on Tuesday inaugurated two committees for the screening of applications and inspection of the offices of licensed tour operators.

A statement issued by Mariam Zubair Abubakar disclosed that the Screening of Application Committee will be headed by Alhaji Alidu Shutti, while the Inspection of Nationwide Offices Committee will be led by Alhaji Abdul-Ghaffar.

The statement added that the NAHCON’s Commissioner of Operations, Inspectorate, and Licensing, OIL, Prince Anofiu Elegushi performed the inauguration ceremony in line with the Act establishing the commission.

While quoting the NAHCON Act 4, Section 1, Elegushi said the commission is saddled with the responsibility to license, regulate, supervise, and perform oversight functions over organizations, associations (corporate or non-corporate), or similar bodies engaged in both Hajj and Umrah activities.

He reminded the committees of the importance of handling such a vital role and representing the commission, urging them to be upright and to carry out their duties without sentiment or compromise.

The commissioner, who maintained that all screened companies must have the required documents before they are qualified, further appealed to the committees’ members to be mindful of time to keep pace with the 2025 Hajj calendar.

He, however, urged them to work diligently and efficiently to fast-track the entire process to achieve the desired objectives, adding that their reports would be strictly adhered to and must be accurate and reliable, as the commission relies on them.

Responding on behalf of members of the committee, the Head of the Inspection team, Alhaji Abdul-Ghaffar, expressed gratitude to the commission for considering them worthy of the assignment and promised that they would be diligent and efficient in delivering the task entrusted to them and assured that they would complete it within the specified timeframe.