Air Peace’s new E195-E2 aircraft soon to be deployed as aircraft commence test flights

Air Peace Nigeria’s foremost airline is currently operating its two brand new Embraer 195-E2 aircraft on test flights in preparation for deployment into service.

Spokesperson for the airline, Stanley Olisa who made this revelation on Friday stated that one of the aircraft was flown empty from Lagos to Owerri, Abuja and Port Harcourt for familiarisation on Thursday. Air recurved first of 13 brand E195 in Abuja says aircraft to create 8000 jobs..

Olisa hinted that test flights to other destinations would continue, adding that in no time, the planes would commence scheduled flights, offering a superior travel experience to customers.

He disclosed that the third brand new E195-E2 aircraft would be coming in very soon as he stated that the airline’s fleet expansion is driven by the commitment to satisfy the air travel needs of Nigerians.

The operation of test flights by newly acquired aircraft is a regulatory requirement that must be met before the aircraft is deployed for regular scheduled operations.

It can be recalled that Air Peace took delivery of the two brand new ultramodern 124 seat capacity Embraer 195-E2 aircraft in January and March this year, with 11 more slated for delivery subsequently.

PILA awards Mathematics genius, Faith Odunsi, N1m education grant

Caption:

L- Mrs Margaret Moore, Deputy President, Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA); Faith Odunsi, PILA Awardee and maths genius; Mrs Joyce Ojemudia, PILA President; and Mrs Abimbola Onakomaiya, Vice President, PILA at the presentation of a N1m Education Grant to Faith Odunsi in recognition of her feat at the Global Open Mathematics Tournament.

 

By admin

 

The Professional Insurance Ladies Association (PILA) has announced the institution of its social good initiative, the PILA Foundation.

The Foundation will be the vehicle through which the professional association’s social responsibilities would be delivered to its teeming stakeholders.

Making the announcement at her 25th Annual General Meeting held virtually yesterday at the newly completed PILA House in Lagos, PILA President, Joyce Ojemudia, said it was the culmination of the association’s well stated desires to give back to the society especially its stakeholders and the female folk.

She thereafter announced the award of an Education Grant worth one million naira to Faith Odunsi, the 15-year-old girl who stunned the world when she made history by winning the Global Open Mathematics Competition beating contestants from Europe, Asia and the Americas earlier in the year.

“Faith is that child that has become an inspiration to many. Her historic win at the Global Open Mathematics Tournament is testament to her brilliance and excellent spirit. We at PILA want to use this Grant to congratulate her and to offer her our support as a girl child who has brought honour to her family and motherland,” Ojemudia said. “We would be available to mentor her and give her more support as she continues her academic exploits,” she added.

Accompanied by her mother, Oluwasijibomi Odunsi and Yinka Kawonise, the personal assistant to the Proprietor of The Ambassadors School, Ogun State, Samson Osewa, Faith was handed her prize to a resounding applause. The recipient’s mother thanked the association for the award and prayed for the continued growth of the body.

Recall that at her inauguration as President of the 48-year-old Association at the height of the pandemic last year, Joyce Ojemudia had promised to lift the revered body of insurance women to enviable heights by taking on audacious projects which would be seen to fruition by collaborative efforts.
Established in 1973, PILA is the elite body of insurance women committed to ensuring the very best of ladies in the fast growing insurance industry.

Leadway Pensure gathers customers for health, wellness webinar

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Leadway Pensure PFA, has continually  demonstrated that the welfare of its customers is of utmost priority, with the just-concluded Health and Wellness Seminar for retirees.

The virtual session tagged “Maintaining Good Health at Retirement” was anchored by Dr. Olumuyiwa Odugbesan from Leadway Health; a medical practitioner, who educated the retirees on the benefit of having a meal plan, exercising, mental wellness, and maintaining mental balance. He also spoke about managing and preventing sicknesses associated with advanced age.

In order to drive home the points for the participants, Dr. Odugbesan showcased mild exercises and simple medical practices that the retirees could practice at home to enhance their health.

Speaking on what prompted the health and wellness seminar, the Managing Director, Leadway Pensure PFA; Mrs. Ronke Adedeji said “Customers are Leadway Pensure PFA’s most prized stakeholders and we will continue to push out initiatives that reassure them of this value.” This sentiment was emphasized by Tade Gbadebo, Head of Benefits Processing at the organization who mentioned that “the Leadway Pensure Brand goes beyond paying pensions to retirees, we are committed to making retirement and living better for them.”

It is important to recall that the organisation recently received an award for customer care excellence and this seems to be an opportunity to reiterate the achievement.

To serve their customers better, Leadway Pensure has several easy to reach touch points like the Online Enrolment Portal, Mobile App, Interactive SMS 07018000800, Pensure Online (P-Online.leadway-pensure.com) and SureCal (Pension Calculator), all of which provide convenient and transparent access to all their pension funds under management.

PTAD commences consequential payment of pension increment

Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has began payment of consequential adjustment to pensioners under Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

The Executive Secretary, PTAD, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme’s promise made when she announced President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the implementation of the consequential adjustment to the pension benefits occasioned by the new minimum wage increase of 2019.

Ejikeme stated, according to the statement released by the Head, Corporate Communications, PTAD, Mr. Olugbenga Ajayi, that this is in fulfilment of that the upward adjustment of Pensioner’s benefit will take effect from May 2021.

Consequently, Pensioners in the four operational departments of the Directorate namely: Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD), Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD), Police Pension Department (PPD), and Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Department (CIPPD), have begun to receive their accrued arrears.

While reacting to the messages of gratitude received from some pensioners, the Executive Secretary assured them of PTAD’s commitment to the welfare of the DBS Pensioners.

She cautioned them to beware of pension fraudsters who call pensioners pretending to be staff of PTAD, reminding them that no staff of the Directorate will request for gratification before processing their pension payment.

The PTAD boss further urged the pensioners to report such phone calls and other activities of the scammers to PTAD for adequate investigations and possible prosecution

Green Africa declares website open for booking with N16,500 airfares

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Green Africa Airways has commenced sale of flight tickets on their website with offerings as low as N16,500 as a value airline
The booking website greenafrica.com is now open to the public for ticket purchase activities following the pre-sales approval of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Cities to be served are Lagos (LOS) connecting Akure (AKR), Ilorin (ILR), Abuja (ABV), Owerri (QOW), Port Harcourt (PHC) and Enugu (ENU).

Flights as low as N16,500 are available on the website with flight dates starting from June 24th, 2021.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Green Africa, Babawande Afolabi said, “Today is a great day for every member of the gTeam and we are thrilled that our customers can now book their trips with us. We are building a value carrier that will connect customers to their opportunities and be a catalyst for positive change across the region.”

The ongoing “gFlyer Special Offer” which takes 10% off ticket prices will last till 11:59pm WAT on June 23rd, 2021. Corporate package known as “gBusiness” is planned for roll out within the coming weeks to cater to SMEs and corporate travels.ub

Three products are available – gSaver, gClassicTM and gFlexTM giving customers the flexibility of purchasing the product that suits their travel plans.

gFlyers who register on the booking website – greenafrica.com get a unique code that gives 10% off their first booking to celebrate this milestone.

Ngozi Nkem retires as Non-Executive Director of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc.

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The Board of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc has notified shareholders and the investing public, of the retirement of one of its Non-Executive Directors, Mrs Ngozi Nkem from her position after many years of meritorious service.

This is according to a notification signed by the Company’s Secretary, Rukevwe Falana and sent to the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.

According to the notice, the retirement decision was duly considered and ratified at the Board of Directors’ meeting of the company, held on 28th of April, 2021. The disclosure is in line with the Corporate Governance Code and Guidelines of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

About the retiree

Ngozi Nkem is an experienced banker with many years of experience. She is an alumna of Abia State University, where she obtained a BSc. degree in Banking and Finance.

Mrs Nkem currently manages Zopon Nigeria and also sits in the board of three other firms- Transglobe Securities Nigeria Limited, Binez Hotel Limited and Abia State Hotels Limited.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Over 1000 Deliveries To Date

By admin

 

Boeing has now delivered over 1,000 of its 787 Dreamliner. This meant the 787 beat its predecessor, the 777, to the milestone by seven years. Meanwhile, circumstances surrounding the occasion may have led the planemaker to let it pass by without particular fanfare.

Over 500 orders before first delivery
Boeing has been on quite the journey with its Dreamliner program since it launched in 2004 with a firm order of 50 from All Nippon Airways (ANA). After years of delays caused by issues in the supply chain, worker strikes, and onboard electrical fires, the 787 took its first flight in December 2009. Boeing then finally delivered the new aircraft to ANA in September 2011.
The 787 was the first plane to pass the 500 order mark before the first delivery, as Boeing had already received 677 pre-orders. In 2013, a full 50 of the model were then grounded after the battery of a Japan Airlines 787 caught fire on the runway. However, when it all works, it is an amazing aircraft and a favorite of both airlines and passengers.

By the end of April this year, Boeing had delivered 1,003 of its 787 Dreamliners. Out of these, 376 are of the smallest 787-8 variant, 566 are 787-9s, and 61 are the stretched 787-10. The 787-9 also makes up the bulk of Boeing’s Dreamliner backlog, representing two-thirds of the 486 unfilled orders.

African entrepreneurs agree to form alliance for private sector financing

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

African Entrepreneurs have agreed to form an alliance in order to help mobilize all partners to support through financial assistance the private sector as well as the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, MSMEs.

With this, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron is said to be planning to host an African Business Summit later in the year.

This is expected to bring Nigerian and other African businessmen together with their European counterparts to address the issues of partnerships, the problem of African financing needs and supporting vibrant private sector initiatives on the continent.

These, among others were some of the resolutions at the just concluded summit in Paris, France on financing of African POST-COVID-19 economies participated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu in what he titled, “The takeaways from President Buhari’s visit to France”, enthused that Nigeria has a lot to benefit from the outing.

According to him, “An important resolution of this summit is the agreement for the formation of an Alliance for Entrepreneurship in Africa “to help mobilize all partners ready to support, through technical and financial resources, the development of African Private Sector, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) including women entrepreneurs promoted by the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA).

“To actualize this major aspiration, President Macron plans to host an African Business Summit later in the year. Nigerian and other African Businessmen will sit together with their European counterparts to address the issues of partnerships, the problem of African financing needs and supporting vibrant private sector initiatives on the continent.

“It is hoped that this summit will open the channels to more private financing for Africa, and lead to reduction in poverty levels, boost jobs and employment among youths, and widen the donor base especially for climate change initiatives.

“Climate change is very important to both Nigeria and France. For Nigeria, President Buhari is of the strong view that recharging the Lake Chad, which shrank in size to only 10 percent of its original size, with water from the Central African rivers will be actualized if and when France comes on board the idea.”

Shehu said that President Buhari’s journey to France was the first official visit to Europe since the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the summit was convened by Emmanuel Macron, his counterpart in France, on the financing of African post-COVID economies.

He explained that, “The beginning of the idea of this meeting is traced to a conversation between the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. The conversation started like this: How would Africa come out of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic?

“It is a notorious fact that COVID-19 has led to unprecedented economic and health challenges all over the world. Africa which has recorded continuous growth in the last 25 years suffered its worst recession in 2020.

“The International Monetary Fund, IMF postulates that the continent needed a whopping USD 285 billion between 2021 and 2025 to achieve the growth momentum lost to the pandemic. Where do they start from?”

“That is why President Macron called this important summit, bringing together about 20 African leaders, about a dozen others from Europe and Asia as well as an impressive gathering of all the big players in the global financial system, the AfDB, the World Bank, the IMF and others.

Also present were the G7 and G20 groups of countries, the World Trade Organization, WTO, the Organization for European Cooperation and Development, OECD and very many operators in the Financial Sector as well as investment and manufacturing.

“The meeting ended with a strong resolve to make African states attractive to investment. This should change the existing notion that investment on the continent is risky and something to be avoided”.

“That is one of the reasons why many African countries had turned towards China. From here going forward, Macron is promising that there would be in place, a guarantee scheme to make it less risky to invest in Africa.

“The Macron-Africa summit also scored big on the issue of debt forgiveness. It made a strong case for debt cancellation or a new relationship between Africa and Europe.

“Equally significant is the decision to support the private sector financially to form partnerships between the players in Europe and their counterparts on the African continent.”

Another important issue the summit addressed he said was the inequitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

He said,” Nigeria and all African countries face the danger of a COVID crisis similar to that of India without the western nations opening the doors to a fairer vaccine access. France, which is believed to hold a surplus of COVID-19 vaccines, says it will help Nigeria.

“In the area of business, France and Nigeria agreed that outside of Morocco, Nigeria is the biggest destination for French Foreign Direct Investment, FDI”.

“There are 120 active French businesses in Nigeria with oil giant, Total leading the pack. Altogether, they have investments worth more than USD 7 billion”

“The two countries agreed to increase trade and investment especially in agriculture, aviation, consumer goods, the creative arts and renewable energy, among others.

” The important issue of security in Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin area and the entire stretch of the Sahel was also enthusiastically discussed. Both countries agreed that security is an important part of our relationship.

” France already participates in the Abuja-based intelligence fusion center which brings the West European nations and the countries bordering Lake Chad Basin together in sharing information.

” President Macron promised a strong solidarity with Nigeria as the country squares up to the security challenges in many parts of the country.

He also expressed support for the emergency meeting of the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, LCBC coming up on Tuesday 25th of May, called to discuss the demise of Idris Deby-Itno and the future that lies ahead for Chad, its new leaders and the ongoing war against terrorism in the sub-region.

“In addition to the summit and the bilateral with the French leader, President Buhari held six meetings including that which he traditionally holds with the Nigerian communities wherever he went.

” He met Total, the largest French investor in Nigeria; the Dassault Systems, a leader in digital communications and software development; and Airbus, makers of airplanes and a prospective-partner in the new national airline starting in 2022.

Airbus is also doing so much with the Nigerian Air Force and other players in the aviation sector. He also met Danaflex, a spare parts manufacturer in France, founded by a proud, inspiring Nigerian from the Southeast.

“On a final note, the trip to France was a highly successful one for Nigeria with concrete promises and agreements.”

Nigeria’s GDP rise by 0.51% in Q1 2021

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.51 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the 0.11 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the1.87 percent in the first quarter of 2020.

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) made the disclosure in its GDP Report for Q1 2021 released on Sunday.

NBS said oil GDP contracted -2.21 percent in Q1 2021 (-19.76 percent in Q4 2020; 5.06 percent in Q1 2020) while non-Oil GDP grew 0.79 percent in Q1 2021(1.69 percentin Q4 2020; 1.55 percentin Q1 2021).

Agric real GDP grew by 2.28 percent in Q1 2021 compared to 3.42 percent in Q4 2020 & 2.20 percent in Q1 2020.

Crop Production under Agric real GDP grew by 2.31 percent compared to 3.68 percent in Q4 2020 & 2.38 percent in Q1 2021.

Livestock under Agric real GDP grew by 1.65 percent compared to 2.38 percent in Q4 2020 & 0.63 percent in Q1 2020.

Fishing under Agric real GDP grew by 3.24 percent compared to -3.60 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.49 percent in Q1 2020.

Forestry under Agric real GDP grew by 1.28 percent compared to 1.24 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.71 percent in Q1 2020.

Industry real GDP grew 0.94 percrnt compared to -7.30 percent in Q4 2020 & 2.26 percent in Q1 2020.

Mining & Quarrying Under Industry real GDP contracted -2.19 percent compared to -18.44 percent in Q4 2020 & 4.58 percent in Q1 2020.

Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas real GDP contracted -2.21 percent compared to -19.76 percent in Q4 2020 & 5.06 percentin Q1 2020.

Coal Mining under Mining & Quarrying GDP grew 0.66 percent compared to -23.16 percent in Q4 2020 & -43.41 percent in Q1 2020.

Metal Ore real GDP grew 28.83 percent compared to -9.38 percent in Q4 2020 & -4.10 percent in Q1 2020.

Quarrying & Other Minerals under Mining & Quarrying GDP contracted -59.78percent compared to 48.42 percent in Q4 2020 & -83.03 percent in Q1 2020.

Manufacturing under Industry real GDP grew 3.40 percent compared to -1.51 percent in Q4 2020 & 0.43 percentin Q1 2020.

Oil refining under Manufacturing real GDP contracted -57.05 percent compared to -56.50 percent in Q4 2020 & -52.81 percent in Q1 2020.

Cement under Manufacturing real GDP grew 11.20 percent compared to 6.59 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.67 percent in Q1 2020.

Food, Beverage & Tobacco under Manufacturing real GDP grew 7.11 percent compared to 2.15 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.10 percent in Q1 2020.

Textiles,Apparels & Footwear under Manufacturing real GDP contracted -4.53 percent compared to -5.55 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.03percent in Q1 2020.

Wood Products under real GDP contracted -2.36 percent compared to -3.17 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.25percent in Q1 2020.

Pulp & Paper under Manufacturing real GDP contracted -0.26ercent compared to -4.52 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.99 percent in Q1 2020.

Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals real GDP grew 3.91 percent compared to -0.78 percent in Q4 2020 & 0.58 percent in Q1 2020.

Non-Metallic Products under Manufacturing real GDP grew 2.88 percent compared to -9.92 percent in Q4 2020 & -1.35 percent in Q1 2020.

Plastic & Rubber under Manufacturing real GDP grew 1.68 percent compared to 0.23% in Q4 2020 & 1.28percent in Q1 2020.

Electrical/Electronics under Manufacturing real GDP contracted -4.46percent compared to -12.14percent in Q4 2020 & -1.59 percent in Q1 2020

Base Metal, Iron & Steel real GDP contracted -1.63 percent compared to -3.92 percent in Q4 2020 & 1.19percent in Q1 2020.

Motor Vehicles & Assembly under Manufacturing real GDP grew 3.29 percent compared to 2.02% in Q4 2020 & 1.04 percent in Q1 2020.

Other Manufacturing real GDP grew 3.75 percent compared to -4.26 percent in Q4 2020 & -1.78% in Q1 2020.

Germany restricts travel from the United Kingdom

By Favour Nnabugwu

 

The German Government is banning all but essential travel from the United Kingdom from Sunday amid concerns that a variant of COVID-19 first detected in India is circulating throughout the British population.

On Friday, Germany’s Ministry of Public Health declared Great Britain and Northern Ireland a virus variant region

Only German citizens or people holding resident status will be allowed to enter Germany from the United Kingdom from midnight tonight.

With the UK now classed as a coronavirus variant zone, anyone entering Germany from the UK must prove a negative PCR test taken no longer than 72 hours before arrival, or a rapid antigen test that was taken within 24 hours. These rules also apply to people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Germany wants to play it safe
As of Thursday, the UK has reported 3,424 cases of the B.1.617 Indian variant that is believed to be a more virulent strain that is more contagious than other variants.

The World Health Organization has called B.1.617 a mutation of concern despite having limited scientific knowledge of how transmissible it is.

When speaking about the quarantine decision newswire service Reuters quotes a German government source as saying:

“We want to play it safe during this important phase of the vaccination campaign; the entry of problematic mutations must be avoided as far as possible.”

Earlier in the pandemic, the big worry was the spread of the highly contagious and deadly B.1.1.7UK or Kent variant, which surged in the UK during December and is now the dominant strain of the virus in the United States. And it is not just the Kent and Indian variants that have health officials concerned, with the South Africa variant B.1.351 and Braziliant variant P.1 also present in the UK.

There is no evidence to suggest that the Indian or other mutations are more deadly than the original strain. The big worry, however, is that the variants are more easily transmissible.

This means a greater risk of people becoming infected and overwhelming the health system. As with the original version of COVID-19, the risk of getting severely ill is highest for the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.