The 9-Man NANTA Delegation to Istanbul, Türkiye on travel trade business collaboration expedition tabled before the management of Turkish Airlines baskets full of trade opportunities and strategies that will create a win-win relationship between the two (2) Organisations.

The strategies covered areas on ease of visa regimes to Türkiye, Hajj and Umrah services, additional frequencies particularly targeting the South-East and South-South region of Nigeria through Port Harcourt International Airport and more incentives for Nigerian passengers travelling through Türkiye.

NANTA’s leadership, which met the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB) on Wednesday as part of its agenda to expand its reach and collaborate with key global industry influencers, commended the Turkish Airlines’ management, particularly the country’s management in Nigeria for its intentional support and encouragement towards Nigerian travel trade professionals.

Yinka Folami, President, NANTA, who led members of his cabinet to the meeting held on Thursday at the headquarters of the 5-Star Airline located at the heart of Istanbul, disclosed that NANTA is determined to reciprocate the gesture of support by the Airline to registered Nigerian Travel Agents, requesting that the influential global carrier should add its voice to the call for ease of obtaining Turkish Visas by Nigerian passengers as it would help galvanise sales yield for the Airline.

The Association also tabled a request for Turkish Airlines to process charter flights for Hajj and Umrah flights into, and out of Nigeria as the country has a huge Muslim population visiting Saudi Arabia annually.

***Yinka Folami explained that Nigeria is ranked fourth (4th) on the table of countries with huge pilgrimage traffic to the Holy Land, and since Turkish Airlines also have capacity to process these traffic globally and efficiently, NANTA will be pleased to see the Turkish Airlines take advantage of this opportunity”, Noting “a Turkish Airlines flight from Port Harcourt International Airport in the Eastern part of Nigeria, would be welcomed and celebrated too”

On the NANTA 50th Anniversary celebration next year, 2026, Mr. Folami disclosed that Turkish Airlines is the official partner Airline for the event, which would provide critical and crucial marketing promotion opportunities for the Airline to penetrate deeper into the vibrant Nigerian Travel Market.

“We are eternally grateful toTurkish Airlines for this transformative visit to Istanbul and for the exposure to tourism and hospitality offerings available to passengers visiting or transiting through Istanbul. Your *Touristanbul Package* is top-notch, and we commend your professionalism and your efforts to treat your passengers better. We have seen the various layers of opportunities, and it will help us market Turkish Airlines to our customers.

Earlier, Turkish Airlines Manager, Tour Marketing, Abdullah Yormaz flanked by the Charter Manager, Mustafa Pehlivan, who received the NANTA delegation, expressed the Turkish Airlines Management appreciation to NANTA for the visit and collaboration to deepen relationship with the Airline, assuring that all the suggestions and expectations by the visitors would be tabled before the Turkish Airlines’ Vice President in charge of Africa.

He explained that *Touristanbul,* the tourism arm of Turkish Airlines, provides specially tailored tour packages, including eat-out experiences for its passengers on long layouts, and generally ensure that they are taken care of.

The meeting which lasted for over two (2) hours, with about twenty minutes set aside for a documentary highlighting services and places of cultural tourism sites on offer by Touristanbul was attended by Nwza Hanim, Tugba Hanim, a young Nigerian Boozar Zakariyyah, and Hakim Cakar, all for the Turkish Airlines’ team, while NANTA paraded the 1st Deputy President – Mrs. Chinyere Umeasiegbu; 2nd Deputy President – Dr. Olatokunbo Dagunduro; Vice President, Abuja, and Kano, respectively, Mrs. Kemabonta Uloma Ibiwari and Mr. Mohammed Nasir Chamo. Also, in attendance were Vice President, Western Zone – Mr. Babatunde Adesokan; Vice President, Lagos Zone – Mr. Yinka Olapade; Financial Secretary – Mr. Yinka Ladipo; Publicity Secretary – Mrs. Adelola Adewole; National Internal Auditor – Mr. Johnson Ugochukwu; and Chief Administrative Officer – Mr. Stanley Diagi.

Oba Abimbola Owoade has finally been crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.

Owoade succeeds the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.

The staff of office had earlier been presented to the new king by the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, in January.

He completed the compulsory 21-day traditional rites known as Oro Ipebi last Saturday, March 29.

The coronation event took place on Saturday at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo, where Governor Seyi Makinde led a host of dignitaries, including notable Nigerians.

Dignitaries present at the coronation included the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and Aare Oona Kankanfo of Yoruba, Iba Gani Adams, among others.

His coronation marked the beginning of the process of enthroning a new king for the ancient and one of the most revered stool in the Yoruba Kingdom.

Today’s event also signaled the beginning of a new era for the sons and daughters of Oyo Town, the State and the entire Yoruba race home and abroad.

By Eric Elezuo

Tears, amid gratitude for a life well lived, were the mood at the two-day obsequies for for former special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Omooba Dr. Adedoyin Ajibike Okupe-Agbonmagbe, known simply as Dr. Doyin Okupe, when friends, political associates and well wishers gathered in Lagos and Iperu-Remo, Ogun State to pay to pay their last respects.

The politician, who died earlier in February, was honoured with a Commendation Service of Songs at the Trinity House Church, Oniru, Lagos, where Pastor Itua Ighodalo supervised proceedings.

In his sermon, following tributes and bible readings, Pastor Ighodalo eulogised the lifetime of the deceased while thanking God that he served humanity in every capacity he found himself while alive as well as dedicated his life to God while he walked the earthly path.

With key personalities including the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, speaking glowing about the deceased the service came to a musical end, and the corpse was moved in a motorcade to his hometown, Iperu Remo, where a Wake service was observed later in the evening at the Agbonmagbe Castle home of the late Okupe.

A lying-in-state ceremony followed the next morning where friends, family members and well wishers marched pass the casket, in a last view and payment of last respect.

Thereafter, all roads led the Westly Methodist Church, on Akesan Road for the funeral service, where Reverend Adeseun Atanda in his sermon also extoled the deceased service to humanity and for giving his life God.

Among the many programmers observed at the service was the recognition of his family, who were prayed for blessed as the body made its final journey to the Anglican Church Cemetery, where the remains were finally led to rest, amid weeping and exhortation.

Guests were thereafter treated to a sumptuous reception at the Apostolic School Hall, on Akesan Road, with ceaseless flow of local and intercontinental dishes as well as choice beverages supervised by Cloud9Events, just as Faith Musical Band entertained the guests with sonorous sounds that reverted the mood of agony.

Among high profile dignitaries at the event were Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, Tunde Rahman, Bayo Onanuga, Aare Dele Momodu, Mr. Peter Obi, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam, Pastor Dotun Ojelabi, Prince Bisi Olatilo and Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu.

Photos: Ken Ehimen