admin

Total Post: 5157

Airpeace Acquires Embraer 195-

Airpeace Acquires Embraer 195-

The Eagle has landed! The first Embraer 195-E2 Aircraft in Africa touched Nigerian soil today!

I was privileged to be part of history today when Air Peace’s much-anticipated E195-E2 jet debuted in Africa at Nnamdi Azikwe Intl. Airport, Abuja. The nation witnessed the arrival of first brand new E195-E2 aircraft out of thirteen new jets firmly ordered by the biggest indigenous airline in West and Central Africa—Air Peace Airline. Embraer 195-E2 aircraft, with passenger-capacity of 144, is nicknamed “Perfect Hunter” because of its scintillating qualities.

The second one in the series will arrive in two weeks time, while the remaining jets will be arriving one-by-one after two weeks intervals. Like the proverbial eagle, Chief Allen Onyema—quintessential entrepreneur cum aviation maven is soaring in the middle of the storm. I was not only thrilled today but greatly inspired by this uncommon feat. According to Onyeama, arrival of these 13 jets will create, cumulatively, eight thousand direct and indirect jobs.

Air Peace Airline has been increasingly raising the bar and silently revolutionizing the aviation industry against strangulating odds in the sector. Two years ago, the Airline ordered 30 brand new Embraer 195-E2 jets—thirteen of it firmly paid for, while seventeen is on Purchasing Right Order—and to be sold at the same price to the Airline anytime in the future.

With 30 ordered jets, Air Peace Airline has the second highest order cum Purchase Right of E195-E2 aircraft in the record books of Brazilian aircraft manufacturing conglomerate, Embraer, with Lufthansa Airline—European biggest airline, being number one with an order of 35 E195-E2 planes. With the expansion of its fleet, Air Peace will soon return to its Dubai route; start China and India routes, respectively. And to be followed by Houston and London routes.

I want to say a very big congratulations to Air Peace Airline in particular and Nigerians in general. Air Peace Airline is putting Nigeria on global aviation map. With the supersonic pace the Airline is racing, in few years from now it will overtake Ethiopian Airline as the biggest airline in Africa. I am proud to identify with this unparalleled milestone. 💪💪💕💕🎈

Nwobodo Chidi

GOVERNOR FINTIRI RECEIVES IN AUDIENCE THE DIRECTOR GENERAL NYSC

GOVERNOR FINTIRI RECEIVES IN AUDIENCE THE DIRECTOR GENERAL NYSC

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri received in audience the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim in the Government House, Yola.

Governor Fintiri assures his Administration commitment to continue to accord priority to Youth Development through policies and programmes that will empower them not only for Economic survival but for future leadership roles in our state and the Nation at large.


Governor Fintiri described the NYSC as a laudable scheme that needs to be sustained as it allows Nigerian Youths to understand the country better because people come from far and wide to serve their fatherland, despite the global pandemic (Coronavirus) that disrupted the scheme for some times now.

The NYSC members were led to the Government House by Director-General NYSC scheme, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, were he reiterated the mission statement of NYSC, as to mobilize and groom graduate youths for the promotion of National Unity, sustainable development, self-reliance and prepare them for the challenges of leadership.
The DG NYSC thanked Governor Fintiri and the good people of Adamawa State for the support given to NYSC in the State.

34th AU Summit strives to leverage and valorise African Arts, Culture and Heritage

34th AU Summit strives to leverage and valorise African Arts, Culture and Heritage

The thirty fourth (34th) Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) scheduled to take place on 6 and 7 February 2021 will hold under the theme: “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”. This theme of the year will be presented during the upcoming African Union Summit, by the lead Department of Social Affairs at the AUC. However, it is worth noting that, Africa is universally recognised for its rich arts and cultural diversity given that, African cultural heritage springs from different communities all over Africa. Therefore, cultural heritage, which is seen as an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values, will for the next twelve months, be at the centre of discussion in most events organised by the African Union.

African heritage is keen on the moral values while African culture is expressed in its arts and crafts, folklore and religion, clothing, cuisine, music and languages, etc. Expressions of culture are abundant within Africa, with large amounts of cultural diversity being found not only across different countries but also within single countries. Consequently, the African Union (AU) has recognised the role arts, culture and heritage can play as catalysts for the socio-economic development and integration of the African continent. To that effect, the preservation of valued African property such as historic buildings, artwork, books/manuscripts and other artefacts that have been passed down from previous generations, will take central stage henceforth as the AU strives to uphold these values by dedicating an entire year of 2021 to ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want’.

The proposed theme of the year 2021 draws inspiration in the African Union Agenda 2063, as a shared strategic framework and blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable Development; Aspiration 05 envisages:

Expressions of culture are abundant within Africa, with large amounts of cultural diversity being found not only across different countries but also within single countries

  • An Africa with a Strong Cultural Identity, Values and Ethics;
  • Strengthening the African cultural identity, values and ethics as a critical factor for Africa’s emergence on the global stage.
  • African people imbued with a sense of their fundamental cultural unity, a sense of a common destiny and African identity and Pan-African consciousness.
  • An Africa where work is a key ethic and value, where women play an important role, and in which traditional and religious leaders, including the youth as drivers of change, is recognized.

Worth recalling that, from the onset, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and, thereafter its successor the African Union (AU), has placed culture at the top of their agenda, as stipulated in the OAU Charter, which affirms the commitment of the African Union Member States to ensure the coordination and harmonisation of their policies, in the domain of educational and cultural cooperation, among others. The significant contribution of culture to the integration of societies and to the socio-economic development in general and to poverty alleviation through job creation and social inclusion in particular has been undoubtedly evident. This reiterates why the AU has not only included culture in all major development blue prints, such as the Lagos Plan of Action 1980-2000 and the African Union Agenda 2063; but it has also adopted various instruments pertaining to culture including the Cultural Charter for Africa (1978), the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance (2006), the Statute of the African Audio-Visual and Cinema Commission (2019) and the African Union (AU) Model Law on the Protection of Cultural Property and Heritage (2018), among others.

According to H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, the AU’s theme of the Year 2021 ““Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”, is an important theme and goes hand in hand with the whole movement for the institutional reform of the Union, “as culture is the main marker of identity and through it we know who we really are”. The AUC Chairperson was speaking while addressing the virtual official opening of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), on 20 January 2021.

Meanwhile, the 38th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council is scheduled to take place on 3 and 4 February 2021. This meeting will bring together Ministers of External Relations/ Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation from the fifty five (55) Member States of the African Union. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

Tizeti rolls out high-speed 4G LTE in Edo with N4000/month broadband service

Tizeti rolls out high-speed 4G LTE in Edo with N4000/month broadband service

As part of its commitment to ensuring access to affordable broadband connectivity in Africa’s underserved populations, Tizeti (www.Tizeti.com), West Africa’s pioneer solar-based internet service provider is rolling out its 4G LTE network in Edo State, with monthly fixed broadband costs pegged at four thousand Naira ($8). With this move, millions of people in Edo State previously outside the broadband envelope can now take advantage of high-speed broadband internet from Tizeti.

Announcing the rollout of its new low-cost unlimited 4G services in Edo, the Chief Executive Officer of Tizeti, Kendall Ananyi, said that this 4G broadband internet will empower more Nigerians in Edo State, stimulate economic activities and provide unlimited access to affordable and reliable broadband services as well as complement the Edo State Government’s efforts in driving investment promotion and building a robust technology ecosystem in the state.

“Rolling out 4G LTE broadband internet in Edo at the cheapest fixed broadband prices in Nigeria, and possibly Africa, is a strategic decision for us. We have been building brand-new, solar-powered, 4G-capable towers in Edo, starting with Benin City, which leverages Edo State’s expansive fiber-network built by some of our partners, MainOne and Facebook. Edo State has a large population of vibrant, young people and a high number of higher institutions, which provides a foundation for a robust and thriving ecosystem to enable digital leadership. And the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is implementing reforms in investment promotion and determination to build a robust technology ecosystem in the state, with an agenda that prioritizes Information Communication Technology (ICT)-compliant pedagogy in primary schools, improves digital skills for students and graduates and revamps technical education to increase productivity. This has created a perfect environment for us to roll out our low-cost broadband service, starting in Edo State, but with plans to expand across the country over the next few months”, Ananyi said.

At 4,000 Naira monthly costs with a one-off installation cost of 4,000 Naira, we believe the plan is affordable, especially to undergraduate students

Corroborating Ananyi, Tizeti’s Chief Operating Officer, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, states, “The launch in Edo State is personal to us as founders of Tizeti because we are alumni of the University of Benin. At 4,000 Naira monthly costs with a one-off installation cost of 4,000 Naira, we believe the plan is affordable, especially to undergraduate students. This provides a huge opportunity for people in Edo to benefit from unlimited broadband internet for use in online learning, eCommerce and entertainment, especially interactive games, video consumption, and music”.

Interested users in Edo State can pre-sign up at https://WiFi.com.ng/EdoState/; installations are expected to commence in Benin City on April 1st, 2021.

For many countries in Africa, there is still a huge digital divide. This boundary between connected and unconnected translates into clear consequences for employment, education, family and social life, and access to information. According to the World Wide Web Foundation, ensuring fast internet in Africa will enable billions more to come online, and to take advantage of the life-changing socio-economic opportunities that access to the Internet provides. Companies like Tizeti are playing a significant role in addressing the digital infrastructure deficits in Africa with innovative technology and capabilities, to improve development outcomes for millions of people.

Tizeti currently has 1.7 million unique users, with broadband services which include a new Skype-like personal and business enterprise communications service — WiFiCall.ng, and access to video streaming sites and services.

Danbatta Receives MoneyReport’s Man of the Year 2020 Award

Danbatta Receives MoneyReport’s Man of the Year 2020 Award

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has received the prestigious “Man of the Year 2020” award from the Publishers of MoneyReport Magazine.

The award was presented to Danbatta at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 by the Board Chairman, MoneyReport and former Director-General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Prof. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke who was represented by Dr. Eke Agbai, the Executive Vice President at the Center for Policy and Foreign Engagement (CPFE) and Board member of MoneyReport Magazine.

Dr. Agbai acknowledged the impressive growth recorded in the telecoms sector over the years under the leadership of Danbatta. He said the development in the telecom sector, have been duly acknowledged by the Editorial Board of MoneyReport Magazine, and has made the Commission and its leadership a model in telecommunications regulation in Africa.

“After an exhaustive Board examination, probe and investigation of the activities of the Nigerian Communications Commission, under the current leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman, the MoneyReport Magazine concluded that the excellent combination of vision, character and capacity of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, qualified him for the Publication’s ‘Man of the Year 2020’ Award,” Okereke-Onyiuke said.

He further stated that “the emphasis of the Commission’s 2015-2020 Strategic Vision Plan, which is anchored on an 8-Point Agenda, on transforming the Nigerian telecoms industry to meet up with 21st century standards and international best practices, has clearly defined the success recorded by the Commission under the leadership of Danbatta and earned him this prestigious recognition.”

While receiving the award, the Danbatta appreciated the management of MoneyReport Magazine for considering him worthy of the honour, adding that the success story recorded in the telecoms sector under his leadership, is a product of collective efforts of the board, management and every member of staff of the Commission, while expressing NCC’s commitment to deepen partnership with MoneyReport to the benefit of the country.

“The recognition by MoneyReport Magazine is a clarion call on the Commission to continue in discharging its duties in line with the statutory mandates, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003 with a view to meeting the Federal Government’s targets to leverage the transformation in the telecommunications landscape to facilitate digital economy,” Danbatta said.

The award presentation was attended by other Advisory Board members of MoneyReport as well as directors and senior management staff of the Commission.

SANWO-OLU DELIVERS 216 HOMES IN ETI-OSA, SURULERE

SANWO-OLU DELIVERS 216 HOMES IN ETI-OSA, SURULERE

•Names LagosHOMS Iponri Scheme After Fashola, As New Housing Project Takes Off In Ikoyi-Obalende

•Lagos Builds, Hands Over Research Lab To FG

In line with his administration’s effort to close the deficit in provision of comfortable housing scheme in Lagos State, the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday formally opened two housing projects in Surulere and Eti Osa axes, which were revived and completed by his administration.

They are 132-unit LagosHOMS projects at Iponri in Surulere area, and 84-unit Lekki Phase II housing project in Ikota, along Ajah corridor.

The inauguration of the projects came four days after the Governor commissioned another 252-unit flats in Idale, Badagry. The Iponri and Ajah housing schemes were delivered through a joint venture between the Ministry of Housing, STB Mortgage Bank and Lekki Ultimate Company Limited.

Sanwo-Olu named the 132-unit Iponri Housing Scheme after former Lagos State Governor and now Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who conceived the project.

Besides, the Governor also inaugurated and handed over a laboratory and new office complex which Lagos State Government built for the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI).

Sanwo-Olu said the resuscitation and completion of the two housing projects further testified to his Government’s commitment to improving the lives of Lagosians through service delivery in the area of infrastructure.

The Governor observed that the quality of the projects delivered indicated that his administration’s promises to raise the bar of good governance was not a fluke, stressing that implementation of his development blueprint – Project T.H.E.M.E.S – would continue to be done in line with needs of the residents.

Sanwo-Olu said the LagosHOMS projects, being supervised by his administration, were being packaged to give citizens comfort through stress-free ownership structure and mortgage scheme.

He said: “Today, we are gathered to mark yet another fulfilment of our promises in the housing sector. At the inception of this administration, we pledged to provide decent shelter for the people. This promise was made out of the conviction that housing is one of the basic needs of humans and a critical factor that determines quality of life.

“In the past months, a lot of efforts had gone into completing many of the housing schemes inherited from past administration. While some of these projects are funded through budgetary allocations, others are being financed through joint venture with our development partners.

“It is with great pleasure that I perform the commissioning of LagosHOMS Iponri by which we are adding 132 homes to the housing stock in this area. Through the same joint venture, we have delivered another 84-unit Lekki Phase II Housing Scheme in Ikota, Ajah. These feats marks successful collaborative effort geared towards bridging the housing deficit in the State.”

As his administration builds and delivers quality homes across Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said his Government is also generating ideas on how it would increase affordability and access for low and middle income families.

Comfortable houses, the Governor said, should not only be for the affluent. He said more convenient ownership packages would be introduced to make more people come on the home ownership ladder, regardless of socio-economic bracket.

Sanwo-Olu charged more private investors to partner with the State Government in addressing the housing deficit, while also reiterating his administration’s willingness to make unencumbered land available for housing development by private investors on the basis of mutually agreed terms.

He said: “As we commission these housing projects today, I wish to express my appreciation for the invaluable support this administration has enjoyed from the good people of Lagos. We will not take this support and goodwill for granted. In spite of the hurdles, our commitment towards actualising the Greater Lagos of our dream is irrevocable. Things can and will only get better.”

Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, assured that the Government would leave no stone unturned in providing decent and affordable shelters to all categories of residents in the State.

The scheme delivered 44 units of single-bedroom, 44 units of two-bedroom and 44 units of three-bedroom flats in Iponri, while the Lekki Phase II scheme consists of 28 units each of single-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments.

The comforting features in the two schemes include water reticulation plant, central sewage treatment plant, street light, and leisure facilities, among others.

The NVRI edifice and research laboratory situated on Keffi Street, Ikoyi were built by the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC) in fulfilment of partnership agreement entered into by Lagos and the Federal Government to end a protracted dispute over land ownership.

The two-storey complex will now be the new regional headquarters of the Institute founded in 1924.

NVRI Governing Board chairman, Mr. Marlin Daniel, praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for fulfilling his pledge to make the project becomes reality. He said the laboratory would raise the nation’s capacity to bring about cutting-edge research on controlling and providing surveillance on communicable animal borne diseases.

Sanwo-Olu assured the Institute that the State Government would immediately issue title documents on the facility to NVRI to further strengthen the agreement. The Governor also promised to raise funds for the laboratory equipment required to make the Institute functional.

He said: “The NVRI laboratory will boost our capability in the diagnostic aspect of animal health surveillance, while the block of flats is to complement the complex and serve as staff quarters for its workers. We will be supporting the Institute by raising funds to equip the complex with modern and world-class facilities, because we believe in excellence and this has to reflect in all aspects including care for our pets and animals in the State.”

Sanwo-Olu also formally kicked off the construction of Keffi Suite, a housing scheme being jointly developed by LSDPC and Rindsan Nigeria Limited. The project will be completed in 24 months.

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS NEW SERVICE CHIEFS

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS NEW SERVICE CHIEFS

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service


Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar
.
President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours..

The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)

CATHOLIC CANON LAW CAN’T BE WAIVED FOR BIDEN – Kaigama

CATHOLIC CANON LAW CAN’T BE WAIVED FOR BIDEN – Kaigama

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, speaks with NINA NNENNA on the emergence of Joe Biden, a Catholic, as President of the nited States of America and the church expectations


Joe Biden has been inaugurated as President of the United States and he is said to be a member of the Catholic Church. What’s the implication of this for America and for the world?

Yes, Joe Biden, the President of United States is a Catholic. But he is an American, born and bred in America. His allegiance is to America and the Americans. He is a Catholic and I am very certain that he will allow his faith in God to help him in his leadership. We are not over excited that he is a Catholic; all we want is that we have a good human being, who has good leadership qualities and the fear of God to lead America and if it happens this time to be a Catholic, we give God the glory and we congratulate Joe Biden and his deputy, Kamala Harris. We wish them the best in the performance of their duty to serve the American citizens well and to also have a positive impact on the rest of the world, especially Africa and other continents struggling to develop.

Though Biden is the President of USA, it is believed that every American President, in one way or the other, would have an influence on other parts of the world including Nigeria.

Yes, it is a powerful position and that is why we hope he will approach this task with great calm and have a calculated disposition to be able to govern America and by extension have a very positive impact on the rest of the world. America is definitely a country to look up. I have no doubt that Biden with his antecedents and with his faith background, the Catholic social teachings which I am sure he has imbibed since his younger days, will help him tremendously in giving genuine leadership to America. The rest of the world needs America just like America needs the rest of the world. I am sure his foreign policies will be favourable and it will promote the good of human beings. I think what he should focus on is the progress of humanity and to promote the common good of humanity and ensure that no group or geo-political area suffers unnecessarily.

He must channel his energy through conquering poverty, illiteracy, diseases and all the vices that inundate our world today because people believe they are so independent, they have freedom to do whatever they want to do. They want to take the life of a baby in the womb, they take it; they want to start a war for very trivial reasons, they do it; they want to redefine what the institution of marriage is, they do so, that a man marries a man and a woman marries a woman. These are issues of freedom that I think will need to be studied carefully and I believe with his background, the new President of the United States will give quality leadership.

Biden is a leading figure in the US Democratic Party, and reportedly once denied communion by a South Carolina Priest before. Based on this premise and what have been said about him, does the church consider him a true Catholic, given his view on same-sex marriage and abortion which the Catholic Church abhors?

He is a Catholic by baptism and upbringing and we expect that he will remain a Catholic for the rest of his life and that he would be bound by Catholic social teachings and doctrines. It is difficult for me to judge why he was refused communion in the US. As Catholic, there are certain reasons which warrant not being allowed to take the sacrament. The priest or cardinal who denied him communion must have a specific reason. But generally, every Catholic who is Catholic to the core cannot be denied communion or any sacrament.

Even with that disposition towards those vices?

Well, if somebody is very clear about a particular vice and says he is dedicated to promoting such then, we will know that it is a very deliberate action and therefore there are consequences in the church.

NAF, NCAA, NAMA SET TO DEEPEN STRATEGIC COOPERATION FOR ENHANCED SECURITY OF NATION’S AIRSPACE

NAF, NCAA, NAMA SET TO DEEPEN STRATEGIC COOPERATION FOR ENHANCED SECURITY OF NATION’S AIRSPACE

In line with one of the Key Drivers of his Vision for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), which addresses enhanced strategic partnerships with Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar yesterday, 22 January 2021, received the Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, and the Managing Director (MD), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu, at the Headquarters (HQ) NAF, Abuja. The duo, who were accompanied on the visit by the Director of Operations, Licensing and Training Standards, NCAA, Captain Bahago Elisha, held high level deliberations with the CAS bordering on collaboration and synergy of the 3 organizations in the areas of security of navigational infrastructure, calibration of navigational aids, training of personnel, safety of the airspace and exchange programmes.

Speaking during the visit, the CAS expressed delight at the proposed deepening of the partnership with the NCAA and NAMA, noting that collaboration would further enhance the efforts of the NAF to improve flight safety and, by extension, operational effectiveness. Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that the Federal Government has so far acquired 23 brand new aircraft for the NAF, while 15 more were expected to be delivered during the course of the year, alongside 8 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The 15 expected manned aircraft, the CAS said, comprised 12 Super Tucano attack aircraft that would be based in Kainji as well as 3 JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircraft. He further disclosed that amongst the expected UAVs were the Wingloong II, which has endurance of between 16 and 20 hours depending on its operating mode, as well as the CH-4 and CH-3 UAVs. The CAS also disclosed that the NAF was expecting 3 special mission aircraft that would be based in Benin to cover the maritime environment and handle some of the challenges in Nigeria’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). “Therefore, it is nice that we keep you updated on what we are doing and ensure continuous interaction with you in terms of management of the airspace”, the CAS said.

Speaking further, the CAS noted that, other areas of concern include the certification of all the aviation personnel in the industry to ensure that ” the right person is doing the right job”. He added that the NAF has highly skilled human resources that could be of tremendous assistance to the NCAA and NAMA upon retirement. He also asserted that there are quite a number of areas in which the NAF, NCAA and NAMA had been working together in the past, which included civil licensing of NAF pilots. The CAS equally noted that there was the need for NCAA to revisit NAF Aviation Medicine facilities in Kaduna and Lagos to further address the issue of their certification for aircrew medical examinations. Air Marshal Abubakar also highlighted the need to reactivate the Airport at Azare in Bauchi State as it would go a long way in aiding the fight against insurgency in the North East. He therefore assured that a Team would be constituted, comprising personnel from the NAF Training and Operations Branch, that would liaise with the NCAA and NAMA to work out modalities on how to further improve the inter-agency collaboration for mutual benefit as well as enhanced security and management of the Nigerian airspace.

Speaking earlier, the DG NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, emphasized that, though cooperation exists between the NAF and NCAA, there was a desperate need to formalize it with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). He noted that there were many areas of cooperation to be explored, for enhanced safety of operations and security within the Nation’s airspace, especially at this time when the NAF is playing a very critical role in the fight against insurgency. He noted that the NCAA has adequate understanding of the NAF, and with that understanding, he said, there is a better idea of how both agencies can collaborate to put the country on the cutting edge and ensure greater effectiveness and efficiency of operations. “We can form a committee and give them the task to come up with systems or ideas on how we can formalize the cooperation between the civil and the military,” he said.

While making his remarks, the MD NAMA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, noted that the importance of inter-agency collaboration in airspace management could not be overemphasized. He said his Agency was looking at having a mutually beneficial relationship with the NAF. Captain Akinkuotu reiterated that the partnership between the NAF and NAMA would provide opportunity to have an extra eye in the management of the airspace for stakeholders in the security of the Country. He therefore urged the NAF to exploit the opportunity of the partnership to the fullest for the overall benefit of the Nation.

Also present during the visit were HQ NAF Branch Chiefs and other senior NAF officers.

IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Vice Marshal
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force

Inclusive design is transforming the customer journey as digital accelerates and expectations skyrocket

Inclusive design is transforming the customer journey as digital accelerates and expectations skyrocket

Embracing inclusive design is a pathway to innovation that organisations ignore at their peril says Reynhardt Uys, Chief Experience Officer, Immersion Group. “Before now, it was common for the industry to see accessibility and inclusion as a box to tick somewhere within the design or process, but as Covid-19 has accelerated the digital world, inclusive design has now moved up the list of priorities for many organisations.”

Inclusive design has evolved from simply optimising a product or service for a specific user with specific needs, to creating a customer journey that considers all customers, and potential customers, of the business. “Whether it’s considering left-handed customers, people with disabilities, and individual preferences or aversions, understanding all your customers is critical to the development of any product or service, process and framework,” notes Uys.

Forward-thinking organisations are beginning to see the value of inclusive design not only as a means of improving their bottom line, but as a meaningful way to nurture positive brand sentiment, a happy customer culture, and brand loyalty. “We’re seeing a huge improvement in conversions of sale when we make even minor improvements or enhancements to the customer journey. A few examples of these solutions in action include text-to-voice, audio adjustments, colour changes, as well as multi-channel improvements to ensure that customers can reach businesses irrespective of the device they use or their level of digital literacy. User context and circumstance remains a crucial piece of the design and development journey,” adds Uys.

Reynhardt Uys - Immersion Group

Head of Digital at the Immersion Group, Geoffrey Hardy says modern businesses cannot afford to rely on old customer data and outdated processes to deliver a superior customer experience through digital platforms. “Organisations that fail to implement an iterative and continuous user-based data model risk failing their customers. The world is moving fast, customers are faster. Customer demands are ever-changing, and expectations are at an all-time high.” Hardy adds that with customer experience now very much at the centre of the customer loyalty conversation, principles of inclusive design will play a central role in ensuring an entire customer base is considered. “Businesses are losing large swathes of customers when minor improvements or enhancements could very easily solve for many different customer challenges, increase their sphere of influence and, ultimately, their bottom line.”

While embarking on any new journey can be daunting, Hardy and Uys both agree that the smooth navigation of a carefully constructed roadmap, coupled with advice from industry specialists can offer organisations a return on investment right from the offset. “Seeking the help of experts in inclusive design will have your teams set up for success and mitigate the risks of potential failure, late-to-market execution and budget waste,” says Uys. Hardy recommends choosing a partner with a proven track record as experts in current best practice, years of in-the-work training together with real-world tried-and-tested methodologies to ensure any inclusive design project gets off the ground timeously and delivered at quality.