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Keyamo promises airfare reduction

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Keyamo promises airfare reduction

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has promised that there will be a reduction in airfares soon.

Keyamo said there was a shortage of planes by local operators to meet the growing demand for air travel, saying this led to a hike in fares.

The minister also acknowledged that local operators are facing numerous challenges, including a lack of access to aircraft, maintenance, and repair facilities, as well as difficulties in obtaining foreign exchange to purchase spare parts.

Airfares have been on the rise as the most trafficked route on the network, Lagos-Abuja, now has an average fare of N120,000 per passenger for an hour flight.

This translates to about $83 rise at the current exchange rate per passenger.

However, the minister assured that the government is taking steps to address these issues as talks are underway with aircraft manufacturers to acquire more planes to service both domestic and international routes.

“There is a shortage of aircraft in Nigeria to service routes, which I think is the major problem we are facing now. The local operators are struggling to cover their routes even locally, not to talk of our international routes.

“Lufthansa is coming here, we are not going to Frankfurt, we only managed to get the London route recently for Air Peace, and we are also pushing for them to take us to Heathrow,” he noted.

Many airlines have been having challenges servicing their planes due to the scarcity of dollars in the country.

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Qatar Airways raises fleet to 94

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Qatar Airways raises fleet to 94

Qatar Airways has ordered 20 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, swelling the number of its commercial aircraft to 94.

The aviation company also said it had made another commitment for an additional 40 GE9X engines and spare engines, as well as a long-term services agreement.

The airline made this known in a statement signed by the Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Al-Meer, and made available to The According.

Meer mentioned that the airline had earlier showcased its Qsuite Next Gen, the latest version of the World’s Best Business Class, which will be featured on the 20 additional orders of the Boeing 777-9 aircraft.

The Qsuite Next Gen, he said, included updated features like movable monitors with Bluetooth connectivity, companion suits with window views, larger lie-flat and double beds, lockable drawers, a touchscreen passenger control unit, and more.

“Qatar Airways is proud to announce an expansion to the existing Boeing 777X aircraft order with an additional 20, totalling 94 Boeing 777X aircraft. We, as the World’s Best Airline, are an industry leader and operate one of the youngest fleets, offering unparalleled innovation and quality. Keeping an eye on the future, we continue to ensure that all Qatar Airways passengers are only met with the best products and services available in the industry,” the group’s chief executive officer stated.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stephanie Pope, remarked, “Qatar Airways is a leader in our industry, and we are honoured that the airline added 20 more 777-9 jets to its large Boeing order book.

 “We appreciate their confidence that Boeing’s market-leading widebody family will provide outstanding fuel efficiency and a superior passenger experience for its global operations.”

According to Qatar Airways, it currently flies to 170 destinations globally.

Imo monarchs praise late Ohanaeze leader, Iwuanyanwu’s legacy

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Imo monarchs praise late Ohanaeze leader, Iwuanyanwu’s legacy

Chairman of Mbaitoli Council of Traditional Rulers, Imo State, His Royal Highness Eze George Eke, has described the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as a great patriot of no mean repute, who placed the unity, oneness and corporate existence of the nation above every other consideration.

This is even as the Chairman of Okigwe Zone Global Elders and Leaders Council, His Royal Highness Oliver Ohanwe, hailed the departed elder statesman as a quintessential of humanitarian services, a redoubtable politician and a lover of humanity.

The two monarchs spoke separately to our correspondent in Owerri during which they enjoined the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, not to be deterred by the exit of the political iroko, renowned promoter of Igbo unity and projector of additional states for the South-East.

Eze Eke, who is the traditional ruler of Isi Ubomiri, said, “I feel sad that God took him away at this time, but as Christians, we cannot question God who gives and takes away life. He built and donated a blood bank to the former General Hospital, now Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri.”

Recalling his intimacy with the departed business mogul, publisher, politician and public opinion moulder, the monarch added, “He was indeed a great man who accepted popular opinions on national issues and who placed the interest of the Igbo race, the nation and Africa above all other agitations.”

In his reaction, Eze Ohanwe, a member of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and traditional ruler of Isiama community, in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, said that the late Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader would be remembered for his exemplary human capacity building spirit, projection of national unity, peace, corporate existence, safety of lives and properties of all Nigerians.

Igbo lawyers praise Tinubu, Kalu for S’East devt commission, condemn protests

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Igbo lawyers praise Tinubu, Kalu for S’East devt commission, condemn protests

A civil society group, League of Igbo Youth Lawyers, has hailed the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for his efforts, which gave birth to the passage of the bill for the establishment of the South East Development Commission, and its assent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last Wednesday.

In a communique issued in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Tuesday and signed by its National Secretary, Obinnaya Asiegbu, the group noted that the SEDC, which bill was sponsored by Kalu, who represents Bende federal constituency in the House of Representatives was a landmark achievement for which the lawmaker has distinguished himself in the service of Ndi Igbo.

The communique observed that the Igbo homeland had been abandoned in the aftermath of the civil war, leading to neglect and absence of infrastructure and development in the region.

Also, the President of the group, Stanley Okafor, assured that the group would seek greater collaboration with the South-East caucus of the National Assembly as a means of making concrete and realistic developmental matters affecting the region.

Okafor, however, distanced the group and its members from the planned nationwide protests slated for August 1, arguing that Igbo youths had nothing to protest about this time, given the lack of proper integration of Igbos within the national socio-political framework.

He said, “We would work to distance Igbo youths from the planned protests for us to avoid the usual scapegoat retribution usually meted out against our people.

“Let our sister regions lead the self-expressions if they may, while we focus on persuading the government to do the right thing, and to grant freedom to detained Nnamdi Kanu.”

Naira sheds N10 to trade N1,621/$1 at official window

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Naira sheds N10 to trade N1,621/$1 at official window

The naira, slumped further against the American dollar on Tuesday.
Data from the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) showed that the domestic currency shed N10 to close the trading at N1,621/$, up from N1,611/$1 recorded on Monday.
The intra-day high and low recorded during the day were N1,635/$1 and N1,546/$1 respectively, representing a very lean spread of N89$1.
The naira gained N5 against the dollar at the parallel section of the FX market to trade N1,595|$1as against N1,600/$1 recorded the previous day.
The naira also shed N15 against the British Pound to trade at N2,080£1 as against the previous N2,065£1.
The Canadian dollar continues to close flat against the naira to trade at N1,200| CA$1.
The naira gained N10 against the Euro to trade at ₦1,740/€1 as against the previous day’s ₦1,750/€1.
By: Babajide Okeowo
The post Naira sheds N10 to trade N1,621/$1 at official window appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Senate frowns at N4.2bn personnel cost for Ajaokuta steel

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Senate frowns at N4.2bn personnel cost for Ajaokuta steel

The  Senate has frowned at the N4.2bn appropriated in the 2024 budget as personnel cost for unverifiable workers at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited.

The alleged unverifiable nature of workers at the non-functional steel company , came to the fore during an investigative hearing on the alleged incidences of corruption and inefficiency at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company from 2002 to date, by an Ad-hoc committee of the Senate.

The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central), took up the Sole Administrator of the Steel Company, Summaila Abdul-Akaba, on the number of workers collecting salaries from the N4.2bn appropriated for personnel cost in the 2024 budget.

She stated that as an indigene of the area desirous to get the steel company revamped and working, she often makes unscheduled visits to the plant and hardly finds 10 people at work.

She lamented that despite such humongous amount of money being spent as personnel cost by the steel company yearly, no steel has been manufactured and no mill rolled.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said, “The sole administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company, I have a good question for you being an indigene from the area, who is very worried about the state of the company and passionate for its revival .

“The sum of N4.2bn was appropriated for personnel cost in 2024 but from several visitations I’ve made to the complex, hardly were 10 people sighted to be around or doing anything.

“So, who are the workers collecting monthly salaries from the appropriated N4.2bn? Statistically, if N300,000 is paid monthly to 14,000 people per month for a year, you get N4.2bn or N500,000 to 8,400 workers per month in a year.”

Natasha further queried,  “Where are the 14,000 or 8,400 workers in Ajaokuta that the appropriated N4.2bn is being spent on?

“But in an embarrassment saving move, the minority whip of the Senate who is also a member of the committee, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP Enugu West), prevented the sole administrator from responding to Natasha’s question.

Ngwu in his interjection, said, “Please don’t let us indict ourselves because the said appropriation was approved by the National Assembly.”

In his closing remarks at the investigative hearing, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (APC Ondo Central), said presentations and submissions made by the various stakeholders would be thoroughly looked into by the committee for a solution to Ajaokuta Steel Company.

Key stakeholders at the investigative hearing include the permanent secretary of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, a director from the Central Bank of Nigeria, a director from Bureau of Public Enterprises, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Steel and Engineering Union Workers of Nigeria, etc.

NGX: Investors lose N171bn in five hours

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NGX: Investors lose N171bn in five hours

Investors in the Nigerian capital market lost N171 billion at the close of trading on Tuesday
This follows the crash in the share prices of stocks like UCAP, NESTLE and THOMASWY amongst others on the trading floor today
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization decreased to N55.5 trillion from N55.7 trillion posted by the bourse on Monday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also decreased to 97,830.65 from 98,132.15 recorded the previous trading day.
The market breadth was negative as 19 stocks advanced and 37 declined, while 56 others remained unchanged in 10,447 deals.
ABCTRANS, OANDO and IKEJA HOTEL led other gainers with 10%, 9.84% and 9.70% growth in share price each to close at N0.77, N24.55, and N7.35 from the previous N0.70, N22.35, and N6.70 per share.
On the flip side, UCAP, NESTLE and THOMASWY led other price decliners as they shed 9.92%, 9.78%, and 9.72% each to close at N34.05, N830.00, and N1.95 from the initial N37.80, N920.00, and N2.16 per share.
On the volume index, ZENITH BANK led trading with 44 million shares valued at N1.51 billion in 731 deals followed by PRESTIGE which traded 35 million shares valued at N18 million in 731 deals.
UBA traded 27 million shares valued at N554 million in 735 deals.
On the value index, ZENITH BANK recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N1.51 billion in 731 deals followed by SEPLAT which traded equities worth N1.030 billion in 72 deals.
UCAP traded stocks worth N802 million in 908 deals.
By: Babajide Okeowo
The post NGX: Investors lose N171bn in five hours appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

NEMA reveals 8 LGA in Yobe at risk of flood

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NEMA reveals 8 LGA in Yobe at risk of flood

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has listed Yobe as one of 31 states with high- risk of flood.
The NEMA Director-General, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, disclosed this at the inauguration of 2024 Effective Waste Management and Flood Mitigation Sensitisation Campaign on Tuesday in Damaturu.
Umar, who was represented by NEMA’s Deputy Director, Finance and Account, Mr. Aminu Ringim, said the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had revealed that eight local government areas in the state were at risk of flooding.
She listed the local government areas as Bade, Jakusko, Yunusari, Gulani, Geidam, Potiskum, Borsari, and Karasuwa.
Umar said: “Recognising the urgency of the situation, NEMA conducted a Stakeholders’ Technical Meeting in April and an Emergency Coordination Forum in May.
“These meetings analysed the forecasts and designed a comprehensive communication strategy.
“This strategy involves disseminating early warning messages at the state, local government, and community levels.’’
The NEMA chief commended Governor Mai Mala Buni for taking proactive measures to mitigate the flood risks.
“While past floods have severely impacted Yobe State, I commend you for the proactive measures your government has taken to mitigate flood risks.
“Disaster management is everyone’s business; we must work together to safeguard vulnerable communities; protect vital infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted socio-economic activities in Yobe,” she added.
The post NEMA reveals 8 LGA in Yobe at risk of flood appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Two killed in Ireland helicopter crash

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Two killed in Ireland helicopter crash

Two people on board a small single-engine helicopter were killed Tuesday after their aircraft crashed into a farm building in central Ireland, said a statement by Irish police.

AFP reports that the aircraft crashed onto the roof of a pig-farm outhouse near Mullingar, 80 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Dublin, around 15:30 GMT.

“Two people on board the aircraft were pronounced deceased at the scene,” said the police statement.

One of the victims was an Irish male aged in his 40s, while the other is “understood to be from Eastern Europe” and is also in his 40s, said the police.

The incident involved a “single-engine helicopter” said the Air Accident Investigation Unit, the authority that investigates serious air incidents in Ireland.

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Chelsea sign Danish goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen 

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Chelsea sign Danish goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen 

‎Chelsea Football Club has announced the signing of Danish goalkeeper, Filip Jorgensen, from Villarreal.

The 22-year-old has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues and joins up with his new teammates during their summer tour of the USA.

A statement issued by the club on Tuesday, quoted Jorgensen as saying, “This move is a dream come true. I am very excited to have signed for Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and to start playing with all my new teammates.”

Born in Sweden, Jorgensen joined Villarreal at 15 years old after time in the academies of Swedish clubs GIF Nike and Malmo and Spanish sides Santa Catalina and Penya Arrabal and Mallorca.

After three years in the Spanish club’s youth set up, he was promoted to Villarreal B and made his senior debut against SCR Pena Deportiva in October 2020.

Jorgensen soon started training regularly with the first-team squad and established himself in the Villarreal B side. In December 2021, he was handed his debut in a 7-1 win over Atletico Sanluqueno in the Copa del Rey.

His La Liga debut followed in January 2023 and ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, Jorgensen secured his place as Villarreal’s number one goalkeeper.

He made 37 appearances across all competitions last season and helped Villarreal to an eighth-place finish in the Spanish top flight.

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