Excessive charges killing Nigerian airlines, others — IATA

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36__MyvhTvoCp0glL-RebLaQmXsRXLSWJMuwfgIixnYu_Wg8B6nyHmrArtSjSSv_KcKKN3qaHUBI8WqC4DJbTGxoZeUhQ7dlVjCUojbHBDBx0WkI0-4fha6b5YFZ7aZWvnG-YNkb25dk/s1600/iata.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="281" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36__MyvhTvoCp0glL-RebLaQmXsRXLSWJMuwfgIixnYu_Wg8B6nyHmrArtSjSSv_KcKKN3qaHUBI8WqC4DJbTGxoZeUhQ7dlVjCUojbHBDBx0WkI0-4fha6b5YFZ7aZWvnG-YNkb25dk/s400/iata.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The International Air Transport Association has asked the Nigerian government and other governments in Africa to address charges being slammed on airlines.<br /> <br /> The IATA stated that airlines in the region were burdened by excessive charges, which accounted for 11.4 per cent of their operating costs.<br /> <br /> “User charges are excessive. They account for 11.4 per cent of African airlines’ operating costs. That is double the industry average. And there is a plethora of taxes and charges, some unique,” the Chief Executive Officer of the IATA, Alexander de Junaic said.<br /> <br /> IATA also called on government and aviation industry stakeholders to focus on priorities that will allow aviation to drive economic and social development on the continent, enrich people’s lives and enable the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to IATA, the four priorities are safety, cost-competitiveness, opening the continent to travel and trade as well as gender diversity.<br /> <br /> He stated that already, the industry had supported with $55.8bn in economic activity and provided 6.2 million jobs.<br /> <br /> “As demand more than doubles over the next two decades, the critical role that aviation plays in Africa’s economic and social development will grow in equal proportion. With the right tax and regulatory framework, the opportunities aviation creates to improve people’s lives are tremendous,” he said.<br /> <br /> He stated that three priorities would improve aviation safety in Africa.<br /> <br /> According to him, more states need to incorporate the IATA Operational Safety Audit into their safety oversight systems as Mozambique, Rwanda, Togo and Zimbabwe had done so.<br /> <br /> He said, “Smaller operators should consider becoming IATA Standard Safety Assessment certified.  ISSA provides a valuable operational benchmark for carriers not eligible for IOSA.<br /> <br /> “African states need to implement ICAO standards and recommended practices in their regulations. Currently, only 26 states meet or exceed the threshold of 60 per cent implementation.”<br /> <br /> He said the top priority should always be safety, adding that global standards had helped to make aviation the safest form of long-distance transport.<br /> <br /> He noted that African airlines had been good examples in the safety performance in the past three years.<br /> <br /> “The continent had no fatal jet accidents in 2016, 2017 and 2018. That is largely due to the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders with a focus on global standards, guided by the Abuja Declaration. But there is still more work to do. Taking these three steps will raise the safety bar even higher,” he said.<br /> <br /> He also highlighted the need for a cost-competitive operating environment for airlines in Africa.<br /> <br /> “African carriers lose $1.54 for every passenger they carry. High costs contribute to these losses Flying is not a luxury—it is an economic lifeline for this continent. That’s why it is critical for governments to understand that every extra cost they add to the industry reduces aviation’s effectiveness as a catalyst for development,” de Juniac said.<br /> <br /> He stated that governments should follow ICAO standards and recommended practices for taxes and charges, adding that close hidden costs such as taxes and fees and benchmark them against global best practice.<br /> <br /> He called on governments to follow treaty obligations and ensure the efficient repatriation of airline revenues at fair exchange rates, noting that currently funds were blocked in 19 African states.<br /> <br /> He also called for liberalisation of intra-Africa access to markets and urgent implementation of three key agreements which had the potential to transform the continent.<br /> <br /> These key agreements, he said, were the African Continental Free Trade Area, the African Union Free Movement Protocol and the Single African Air Transport Market.<br /> <br /> The IATA CEO stated that for the aviation industry to grow, stakeholders should also do more to improve its gender diversity and for airlines in the region to support the recently launched 25 by 2025 campaign which commit to increasing female participation at senior levels to at least 25 per cent or improve it by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

Latest-News Excessive charges killing Nigerian airlines, others — IATA

The International Air Transport Association has asked the Nigerian government and other governments in Africa to address charges being sla...

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9ice to get married for the third time?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6PDtli9HMMRxiNNjM2BhXSwVPpSIATj6pg0DqdzgQOKgV6YmCydLZ-eO70oQGcUd3CIojNu54qWwYfdIJzmiWUdt-j5qE28eBckiqq-caJ48uj6bGQvjASHkxp3zLZ8etRYqh_EWXSc/s1600/9icem-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6PDtli9HMMRxiNNjM2BhXSwVPpSIATj6pg0DqdzgQOKgV6YmCydLZ-eO70oQGcUd3CIojNu54qWwYfdIJzmiWUdt-j5qE28eBckiqq-caJ48uj6bGQvjASHkxp3zLZ8etRYqh_EWXSc/s400/9icem-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> There are multiple reports that ‘Gongo Aso’ crooner, Abolore Adegbola Akande popularly known as 9ice is set to get married for the third time in December 2019.<br /> <br /> According to reports, the singer is getting married to his baby mama, Sunkami Ajala, who he has a daughter Mitchelle with. The couple are expected to get married at an already fixed date in December 2019.<br /> <br /> Sunkanmi Ajala and 9ice have been in an off and on relationship before the wedding. The two welcomed their first daughter, Michelle Abolanle Akande, five years ago. Sunkanmi Ajala is an event planner based in Lagos.<br /> <br /> Recall that 9ice got married to Adetola Anifalaje, a United States based software engineer in 2018. This was his second marriage. They had three wedding ceremonies which took place between March, July and August of the same year. The marriage with Adetola is blessed with a daughter, Milani- Francoise Imisioluwa Akande.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Back in 2008, 9ice married Toni Payne, and they had a child together. After the marriage collapsed, 9ice got into a relationship with Vickie Godis who bore him a set of twins.<br /> <br /> Back in 2018, there were rumours that 9ice was expecting 5th child with another lady identified as Olori Oluwayemisi.

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INEC assures readiness to conduct Kogi/Bayelsa elections

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaOTUYse6UtZzXt_CjqCENKG2L9ULqSpm0CC-wDY8kb_1a9iP1o2el1d0haNYyP7i3osZpIbOWJKJRsJmn9NawnEkd_mYhY5UnCIX1tFHmZuhd89t5MHMy6gW9nP3hKMU7lNbdTadT4U/s1600/INEC+boss.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="412" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAaOTUYse6UtZzXt_CjqCENKG2L9ULqSpm0CC-wDY8kb_1a9iP1o2el1d0haNYyP7i3osZpIbOWJKJRsJmn9NawnEkd_mYhY5UnCIX1tFHmZuhd89t5MHMy6gW9nP3hKMU7lNbdTadT4U/s400/INEC+boss.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday said it was ready for the smooth conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa.<br /> <br /> INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this at a stakeholders meeting in Lokoja.<br /> <br /> Yakubu said that 12 out of the 14-point steps for the smooth conduct of the election had been achieved.<br /> <br /> “Only four days to the election, how prepared is INEC?<br /> <br /> “The short answer is that we are ready. So far, the commission has successfully implemented 12 out of the 14-point plan for the election as required by law. We have just two more activities outstanding.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The first one is the last day of campaign which is at midnight on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. The second is the election day itself which is Saturday, Nov. 16.<br /> <br /> “The commission has delivered nonsensitive materials for the election to our office here in Lokoja. The sensitive materials for both the governorship and Kogi West Senatorial re-run elections are ready.<br /> <br /> “As usual they are being handled by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he said.<br /> <br /> Yakubu added:“The normal process of inspection and distribution of sensitive materials within the state will be done in the presence of party leaders, security agencies and the media.<br /> <br /> “We are combining the governorship election with the court-ordered re-run election for the Kogi West Senatorial District in seven Local Government Areas.”<br /> <br /> He urged stakeholders to abide by the slogan, “Election No Be War, Vote Not fight,” saying that he was praying the Almighty God to guide INEC’s efforts towards hitch-free conduct of the election.<br /> <br /> Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), pledged that corps members would be apolitical during the poll.<br /> <br /> Ibrahim said that corps members had been consistently selfless in serving the country.<br /> <br /> He appealed to traditional rulers and other stakeholders to help safeguard corps members on election duties in their various communities, saying they were precious to the nation.<br /> <br /> The Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, represented by High Chief Joseph Osagbemi, said democracy was about quality representation to the people and leadership which could only be actualised through credible election.<br /> <br /> He said that the traditional institution in the area had held regular meetings in Kabba towards ensuring peace before, during and after the election.<br /> <br /> “We want to ensure that democracy is given the right meaning,” he said.

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AFCON qualifier: Rohr, NFF at war over players selection

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlu29n2ofwOhXn4_wPD3rP1pwuS6I1I6-aaSuhW8s0fp9caoepQ6AY3RNJ6bnUjt33ohhZU7wUSkADsCBF7ccPBk85WsDq4GC0lZjENnaje_XO55QUv2q5KnyR7WfQ7Z9REGKo-rboG8/s1600/Rohrr-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlu29n2ofwOhXn4_wPD3rP1pwuS6I1I6-aaSuhW8s0fp9caoepQ6AY3RNJ6bnUjt33ohhZU7wUSkADsCBF7ccPBk85WsDq4GC0lZjENnaje_XO55QUv2q5KnyR7WfQ7Z9REGKo-rboG8/s400/Rohrr-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has explained that he left out Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players, from his squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, because they are not fit enough.<br /> <br /> The three-time African champions take on Benin in their opening Group L fixture in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> Enyimba defender, Ifeanyi Anaemena, is the only home-based player selected, after he replaced Bryan Idowu in the 23-man squad.<br /> <br /> President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, had said Rohr will be tasked to monitor the NPFL, when he renews his contract which will expire in June 2020.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> However, addressing the media on Tuesday, the German said: “He didn’t speak on it at all, I know he sometimes has a different opinion like me but then, it is football. I never accept it to make a choice coming from the officials, my choice is the choice of sports arguments only, to take the best players.<br /> <br /> “Unfortunately, we could not take more players from the local league because they did not play so it was difficult for them to be fit.<br /> <br /> “And also the Chan team, unfortunately, did not qualify that’s also a problem perhaps, the missed competition. I’m sure we have good players here and we see one of them coming from Enyimba, Ifeanyi [Anaemena] who replaced Idowu who has a passport problem.<br /> <br /> “Instead of calling someone from Europe in the last moment, we took this player and he has the chance like the Olympic squad, I watched them in their first game [vs Ivory Coast] and they have a chance but we can take one of them who will be able to show something.<br /> <br /> “I know that some people cannot be happy about my choice but I can tell you it is my choice, it is always honest.”<br /> <br /> After Wednesday’s game in Uyo, the Super Eagles will depart for Maseru, where they will play Lesotho on Sunday.

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Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has explained that he left out Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players, from his squad f...

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