Connect with us

Business

AFCFTA: NANTA to Promote Intra African Tourism Trade

Published

on

The projected 3.4 trillion dollars Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) rated Africa Continental Free Trade Area ( AFCFTA) Initiative, is to gain a muscled buy- in by the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), which will be facilitated through aviation collaborations with four major African indigenous airlines, Kenya Airways, Egypt air, Ethiopian Airlines and Rwanda Air.

With expected liberalized free trade and duty free enabled goods and services regime across african borders despite challenges of covid 19 pandemic and teething problems, nanta believes that an organised trade and tourism marketing among african nations facilitated by well thought out aviation connectivity, African union passport and synchronized visa regime, among nations under the AFCFTA deal, could change the economic narratives of the estimated 1.3 million population of African nations.

Concerned that the trade pact has potentials of lifting out the vulnerable poor, particularly african women who bestrides about 70% the informal sectors in Africa out of poverty, Nanta President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye says AFCFTA presents a refreshing assessment of the tourism and aviation collaborations with african airlines at the forefront to exploit and boost intra African trade, create travel and tourism jobs and improve competitiveness of the unique african culture, indigenous crafts and tourism to the global community.

Mrs Akporiaye, unvieling nanta “Africa to Africa Tourism Promotion campaign” to the management of the four major African airlines at different meetings in lagos, Tuesday and Wednesday, stated that with the advent the African union passport by Africa Union (AU), and nanta driving the tourism and Culture content initiative in collaboration with the airlines, will enhance and lubricate the promotion and marketing of african tourism economy, creating jobs in the process and engendering peace and integration.

Speaking during the visit to Kenya Airways management, nanta president called for a detailed and focal attention on Kenya tourism within the AFCFTA agenda and with nanta members, pushing the frontiers of its marketing and promotion.

She believes Kenya Airways can be a veritable partner, in the nanta driven vision to create jobs across and within Africa region through intra continental tourism initiatives.

Hafis Balogun, Country Manager, Kenya Airways who received nanta President and her delegation, praised the NANTA Africa to Africa Tourism Promotion campaign, noting that Kenya Airways, will partner with the association to give a different holiday experience to Nigerians and africans interested to visit Kenya.

Mr Balogun who conducted the nanta team round the office of Kenya Holidays, noted that the office, in response to the dreams and demand for holiday visits to Kenya, will in due course, roll out specific tourism products and to which nanta will be the driving force.

” We have taken note of the desire to rebrand and drive the Kenya Holidays with safari,beach shopping tourism products enabled agenda, and with your deserving collaboration, Kenya tourism would rebound fast.

At the victoria island Office of Ethiopian Airlines, Mrs Susan Akporiaye reiterated the need for intra African tourism rebirth and challenged the management to facilitate the promotion of Ethiopian religious tourism and its agricultural offerings.

Elated at the nanta Africa Tourism Promotion campaign, the General Manager, Nigeria of the biggest airline in Africa, Mr Shimeles Arage noted that the Ethiopian national carrier, has been in the forefront of african connectivity and integration, stating that the airline hauled across the world and africa, the covid 19 pandemic medical response equipment and other cargos which helped african businesses in particular, to remain afloat at the height of the pandemic.

“We shall collaborate with nanta on this laudable campaign and would do the needful in truely letting africans and Nigerians know more about Ethiopia tourism which I must admit, we have not given the true focal attention.'” Mr Arage added , informing that Nigerians would be amazed at the religious tourism offerings of northern Ethiopia which harbours the the ark of the covenant and other relics and highpoints of early christianity, not excluding the destinct aromatic ethiopian Coffee brand.

“We are with you on this amazing Africa to Africa tourism initiative” Mr Arage assured nanta President and her team which comprised of the lagos zonal vice President, Yinka Folami, national auditor, Yinka olapade and executive secretary, slyvester olobor.

Addressing Rwanda Air management, Mrs Susan Akporiaye stressed that Rwanda Air has shown capacity and discipline since bestriding the african aviation space, hence the need to be part of the nanta driven african tourism promotion agenda, particularly in showcasing its famed tourism infrastructural renewals and agricultural offerings.

Country manager, Rwanda Air, Muhamud Wayiga praised nanta for being in the forefront of the AFCFTA tourism buy-in, requesting the association to furnish him with Nigerian tourism products and destinations to enable the airline market Nigeria not only in Rwanda but in others countries where the airline has established presence.

” Am glad to receive you and your team today in Rwanda Air and in due course, I will visit your office which I understand is representative of your progressive impact.But we at Rwanda Air will like to know more about Nigeria, we want other people, our passengers to come to Nigeria and enjoy its hospitality, not just about promoting Rwanda alone, that is why am happy about this nanta initiative. Mr Wayiga stressed

Received in audience at the Egypt air by the management team led by General Manager, Mr Muharram Abdel Rahman, Financial Controller, Ayman Mohamed Hassan and Ahmed Rasaq, chief accountant, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, said Egypt air has the history and capacity to be at the forefront of nanta driven africa to Africa tourism and aviation collaboration.

” We at nanta is convinced that if Egypt air partners with us and put its strength in the pact, the people of the continent would be better for it” nanta president explained.

Responding, Mr Muharram Abdel Rahman noted that egypt is the oldest country in africa nay the world, is determined to put its strength and experience behind the nanta Africa Tourism Promotion campaign.

” First, let me congratulate you and your team for the good work you have done so far despite the impact of covid 19 pandemic. We at Egypt air salute your courage and for coming up with this initiative, we cannot but commend you for your foresight and open doors to deepen the african tourism economy” he enthused.

Mr Rahman explained that Egypt air can collaborate in areas of training, medical tourism, logistics and security and safety.

” We must admit that our visa regime is a bit confusing to Nigerians but we now have visa on arrival but the group tour regime is also difficult to sell in Nigeria unlike what is obtainable in Europe and America, where tourists, come to Egypt in groups and have seamless visits. Nigerians don’t like to travel in groups and so we wish to encourage group visits and we can support with visa procurement, thereby helping to facilitate visit Egypt holidays” Mr Rahman explained further.

To show instant commitment to the nanta Africa Tourism Promotion campaign, Mr Rahman noted that a meeting with Egyptian ambassador and Egypt holiday outfit, will be facilitated by the management of the airline as top priority.

Highpoint of the collaborative outreach is the setting up of a Committee by nanta and the collaborating airlines
to further enrich the vision and address possible cobwebs.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

NNPC Denies Reducing Petrol Pump Price

Published

on

By

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has declared that there is no plan to reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) aka petrol and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) aka diesel.

The national oil company disclosed this through a statement on Wednesday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye.

He said: “The NNPC Limited wishes to clarify rumours suggesting a price adjustment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) at its retail stations nationwide.

“The company asserts that these reports are false and urges Nigerians to disregard them entirely.

“NNPC Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the current sufficiency in petroleum products supply across all its retail stations in the country,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Business

Midoil Unveils Three-In-One Investment Opportunities

Published

on

By

By Eric Elezuo

The ballroom of the prestigious Sheraton Hotel & Towers Ikeja, was an epicentre of history on Sunday when thriving petrochemical company, Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited, under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Omolara Akintonde, hosted the who is who in the industry to the unveiling of its tripartite investment opportunities consisting of the Midoil Refinery project, SereneCity Properties and Serene Partners Energy to be situated in various communities within it acquired land at Ikosi/Ejirin Local Council Development Area, Lagos State.

Anchored by Ben Ogbeiwi of Project Fame, and coordinated by Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, retired Acting Director of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Network News, who is also a veteran journalist, the event was graced by dignitaries both from the political, traditional, and entrepreneurial circle including Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Abuja, Babatunde Johnson Kokumo, Baale of Sekungba, Chief Solomon Omotayo, Baale of Arogbo, Chief Adesanya Oyenubi, Baale of Ererufu, Elder Gabriel Lawal, and the CEO, Gidi Real Estate Investment Limited, Tobi Akerele.

The event x-rayed the opportunities inherent in investing in these lucrative ventures, which have been designed to change the landscape of Lagos State in particular, and Nigeria in general, in both human capacity development, provision of employment and reduction of poverty.

In his speech as the Chairman of the occasion, DIG Kokumo lauds the efforts of Mrs Akintonde and her team for their assiduous efforts in ensuring that the day came to pass, adding that the unveiling of the tripartite investment opportunities is another way of stabilizing Nigeria’s economy, and giving the populace a reason to live, as well as making the environment habitable.

He reiterated that the meddling of government in matters of refineries should be discouraged as it is deterring private investments, he gave kudos to the Midoil team for a job well done.

“Today, I am glad that we have Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited unveiling its long-time coming investment to the general public, and I want to commend the efforts of the Executive Chairman and the Board of Directors for these laudable investments.

When we examine the real estate aspect of what is being unveiled today, SereneCity Properties; provision of habitable homes, providing structures for Nigerians which have been the responsibility of the government, and what they have been able to do have been grossly inadequate.

Midoil, having diversified into the creation of SereneCity Properties is not a tea party; it is a project that calls for stocks and investment in Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals; stocks and investments in SereneCity Properties and stocks and investment in Serene Partners Energy.

“I consider these investment opportunities a veritable option for investors, who are seeking commensurate returns on their investments,” Kokumo said. He, thereafter, advised all dignitaries in attendance to give all the required support to the threefold opportunities.

In her address, the Executive Chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Akintonde, went down memory lane to dissect the origin and birth of the projects, which has spanned over 12 years, giving unhindered appreciation to Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, with whom the concept was birthed; to the Sekungba, Arogbo and Ererufu communities, where the projects are to be sited, and their Baales, who have shown immense support to the company and the projects from inception.

She exposed that the projects, rooted in the magnum, The Vision, The Journey, The Reality, were consequences of her desire to leave a legacy, and contribute generously to the growth of Nigeria, and to generations yet unborn, who basically, are the target beneficiaries of all the efforts.

Noting that the Vision is rooted in the foresight to establish a modular refinery in Lagos State, Nigeria, leading to the establishment and registration of Midoil Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited in 2012, she informed that the Journey has been about procuring the large expanse of land required for the projects and all its ancillary, which include housing for expatriate staff, other senior, middle and junior staff.

“Today, March 17, 2024, we are unveiling our vision, our journey and our reality. We received our land allocation letter on April 24, 2014, and subsequently, on January 24, 2017, we were approved the Licenses to Establishment (LTE) by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR),” Mrs Akintonde informed of the journey so far.

“To the traditional rulers here present, you have refused to be enticed with cheap money. Therefore, on behalf of the Board of Directors of Midoil Refinery, I once again thank you for your patience and perseverance,” she enthused.

She however, expressed disappointment at some traditional rulers, including the Kabiyesi of Ejinrin, who reneged, and encouraged other Baales to work against the mutually signed MOU.

“Our mutual agreement for Midoil to inhabit the land in peace, as well as having received some financial benefits from Midoil over the years was breached with the latest activities of some communities including Ejirin in the sales of Midoil acquired land,” the Executive Chairman lamented.

She used the opportunity to call on governments at all levels to monitor the activities of land grabbers, and eradicate them completely, stressing that if not stopped, could jeopardize the many proposed development of the communities.

She also called on the Lagos State government “to create expansive awareness among traditional settlers on the land on the need to support developmental efforts by citizens, who wish to give back to the society that has been there for them.”

In addition, Mrs Akintonde urged the government through the Surveyor General’s office “to ensure proper documentation of all lands in the state as well as remove unscrupulous staff assisting ‘Omo Onile’ in perpetuating illicit land grabbing” as they are the reasons for unnecessary delays.

She further revealed that in the 10 years of hard work behind the scenes, Midoil has secured the interest of investors, and the consortium of investors are ready to invest a whopping sum of Five Billion Dollars ($5,000,000,000) in the project.

The highpoint of the event was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, (MOU), with the three Communities led by their Baales.

Contract was also signed with UNILAG Consult for the conduct of the Pre-Feasibility Study for the proposed refinery.

The event rounded off with awards of loyalty and certificates of appreciation to deserving MPIC Member and other stakeholders in the Midoil adventure.

Notable among the awardees were Engr Sunday Ashaolu (MPIC Member) the Baales of Sekungba, Chief Solomon Omotayo, Baale of Ererufu, Elder Gabriel Lawal; Midoil First Media Coordinator, Mr. Babajide Morounfolu; Midoil Oversea Supporter and Consultant, through whom the $5billion investment was secured, Mrs Ngozi Louise Ogboru; Renowned Toast Master, Bennett Ogbeiwi; Mr. Daniel Adeleke Ogungbe, Very Reverend Oluwafunminiyi, Venerable (Dr.) Olusiji Olumide Kolawole, Mrs Kofoworola Olowolagba and Alhaja Bolanle Jafojo-Adedeji.

The groundbreaking at Sekungba/Ejinrin of the Midoil Refinery project is expected to take place on July 12, 2024, which incidentally is Mrs Akintonde’s birthday, as a follow-up to the March 1, 2024, groundbreaking of SereneCity Properties at Ererufu.

The refinery, when completed, will be producing at a capacity of 100,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Pix by Ken Ehimen

Continue Reading

Business

Airtel Performs Groundbreaking Ceremony for its NXTRA Data Centre, Promises 1000 Jobs

Published

on

By

By Eric Elezuo

Prominent Nigerians were present as network communications service provider, Airtel Africa, performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the establishment of its NXTRA data centre project in Nigeria, at the prestigious Eko Atlantic City, in Victoria Island, Lagos, informing that the project is programmed to create over 1000 jobs for Nigerians.

The company noted that the facility, nicknamed the Nitra frontier, and reported as the first of five hyperscale data centres to be developed by Airtel Africa on the continent, will deliver 38 megawatts of total power and host high-density racks that integrate the latest best practice construction to achieve 1.3 power usage effectiveness (PUE).

It was also revealed that the data centres at full capacity will offer 180-megawatt capacity, distributed across 13 major data centres, and over 48 edge data centres.

Speaking at the event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Airtel, Segun Ogunsanya, who informed that the project is expected to go live by the first quarter of 2026, further stated that out of the 1000 jobs expectedto be created, 250 will be permanent once the project is deployed and at capacity.

He praised the project as marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey and is a cornerstone of the organization’s growth strategy, with a particular focus on Nigeria, which unarguably is its largest market.

He added that the project will enhance data sovereignty, security, and preservation within the continent, as well as reflect the group’s commitment to make Nigeria a major hub for access to digital services as it propel Africa towards a sustainable and inclusive digital age.

“This mega project will provide over 1000 jobs. More significantly, once deployed and at capacity, it will create over 250 permanent jobs for Nigerians whilst supporting companies in manufacturing, financial services, and health care as they move their data and computing into third-party data centers like ours.

“Ultimately, we have to store data and content closer to where it is being consumed,” Ogunsanya said.
Boost for digital economy

Ogunsanya was also of the opinion that with Airtel Africa’s extensive fibre footprint, NXTRA “offers secure and scalable integrated solutions to global hyper-scalers, large African enterprises, startups, SMEs and governments.

“Through locally available data centre capacity, speed to access digital services will improve and the cost of managing data will be reduced, thus helping power increased innovation, while supporting a new generation of African tech talent,” he said.

In his remarks at the event, that also has the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in attendance, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani laud the creativity attached the innovation, saying it is in tandem with technology revolution that is fast engulfing the universe, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a main point of reference.

“Data is a key driver in our economy. Not only do we need to connect our people, we also must invest in the digital economy, and through the investment that companies like Airtel have made in our economy, we are fully able to participate in the digital economy,” he said.

Other personalities that graced that event include traditional rulers and stakeholders in the telecoms sector.

Continue Reading

Trending