Travel News
SAHCO Sacks Employee for Allegedly Extorting Money from Passenger at Lagos Airport - THISDAY
Chinedu Eze
The Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has sacked its staff member for harassing and extorting N100, 000 from South Africa-bound passenger at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, recently.
The company took the action after it confirmed the allegation to be true in an investigative panel set up to scrutinize his activities.
The investigation revealed that the staff, in connivance with some other airport workers, extorted the sum of N100,000 from the passenger last December.
It was gathered that though the suspect attempted to debunk the allegation, the thorough job done by the investigating panel found him guilty of the offence.
A source close to the ground handling company disclosed yesterday that the handling company was also planning to meet with the extorted passenger, Mr. Oyewale Oyesiji, an Osun State-based automobile engineer, to update him on the development and declared that SAHCO would not tolerate any unprofessional behaviour or conduct from any of its staff, irrespective of the person’s position.
He said: “I can tell you categorically that our management has sacked the erring staff. Immediately we got wind of the allegation, the management set up a panel to investigate the matter. The panel was able to confirm the staff actually committed the offence and it made this known in the report submitted to the management.
“The management, in accordance with the Nigeria labour laws, also implemented the report of the investigative panel by dismissing the culprit immediately. You should know that we are an internationally certified handling company with major foreign and indigenous carriers as our clients. We cannot afford to allow any staff or anyone to soil our name. We give them the best of training locally and internationally and we expect everyone to comply with the set standards.
“Definitely, SAHCO has lots of exemplary staff who have performed excellently-well in the discharge of their duties. This cannot affect our hard earned image and we will not compromise in entrenching the best industry standards at all times.”
When contacted, the Head, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia, declined to comment on the issue, but insisted that SAHCO does not tolerate any corrupt practices among its staff.
Uansohia, however, assured all stakeholders and its clients of utmost commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in its operations at all times.
She said: “We condemn any act of extortion, harassment, unethical behaviour or misconduct among our staff or operations. The reported incident is contrary to our values and code of conduct that governs all our staff.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of corruption or misconduct and this case is being thoroughly investigated.”
SAHCO has been commended severally by industry stakeholders and clients for displaying exemplary leadership in the discharge of its duties, especially with the inculcation of industry best practices on its staff across board.
2025 Hajj Operations: Presidency Confirms Selection of Four Air Carriers - THISDAY
•NAHCON Signs 2025 MoU
BY Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
The Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, Monday, announced the Presidency has approved four airlines as official air carriers for pilgrims of the 2025 Hajj.
He disclosed the carriers were selected out of the 11 companies that submitted applications for the airlift of Nigerian Muslim pilgrims.
The selected airlines, Usman said are Air Peace Limited, Fly-Nas, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Limited (in alphabetical order).
The air carriers were screened and shortlisted by a team of 32 members that was inaugurated by the NAHCON Chairman on 26th November 2024, he added.
In a statement by Assistant Director, Information and Publication, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, Usman said the composition of the Aviation Screening Committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
The statement added: “Similarly, one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
“Others were NAHCON Board members representing each geo-political zone of the country, NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, Special Duties as well as Board Member representing the Aviation industry.
“Similarly, three excess cargo carriers were selected for the year’s Hajj operations. They are Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargozeal Technology Limited and Qualla Investment Limited (also in alphabetical order).”
The Chairman congratulated the successful companies while urging them to fulfill their responsibilities as promised during the screening.
In another development, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of Nigeria.
The event was held yesterday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to formalize the year’s Hajj engagements.
On the NHCON Chairman’s entourage were Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello; Chairman House Committee on Muslim Pilgrimage Hon. Jafaru Muhammed Ali; Nigeria’s Chargé de Affairs in Riyadh, Dr. Ibrahim Modibbo; Nigeria’s Consul General in Jeddah, Ambassador Mu’azzam I. J. Nayaya, and Ambassador Mahmud Lele from Foreign Affairs.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was represented by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat, at the signing ceremony.
Depots raise petrol price to N950/litre - PUNCH
The loading cost of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and other refined petroleum products at the depots increased on Monday.
The PUNCH gathered that marketers raised petrol and diesel prices at depots by N43 or 4.74 per cent due to the rising crude oil prices.
Recall that the cost of Brent, the global benchmark for crude, reached $79.76 per barrel on Sunday.
This current situation indicates that filling stations nationwide may adjust their pump prices to reflect the higher costs of refined products.
Data obtained by our correspondent while analysing petrol price movements at loading depots on Monday showed that Swift depot increased its loading price to N950 per litre from N907 last Friday.
Wosbab Depot increased its price to N950 from N909, while Sahara Depot made a similar change to N950 from the N910 it sold a litre of petrol last Friday.
Also, a private depot, Shellplux, increased its loading costs to N960 from N908. Chipet Depot asked retailers to pay N960 per litre to receive products. It sold at N908 per litre last week Friday.
Nipco Depot increased its price by N38 from N912 to N950 while the Matrix Warri Depot increased its cost from N925 per litre to N945.
Our correspondent also gathered that marketers who picked products from the Dangote refinery and resell to other retailers increased their costs to N923 per litre despite picking products from the refinery at N899 per litre.
For diesel, some loading depot prices including Stockgap depot increased its price from N1,080 to N1,150. Ibeto Depot approved an increase from N1,050 to N1,150 per litre. Sahara Depot sold its product at N1,150 from N1,045 last week.
Nipco Depot increased its price to N1,150 from N1,120 while Optima Depot approved a N72 increase to N1,120 per litre from N1,048.
The average increase in depot prices for PMS stands at approximately 7-10 per cent while AGO prices have surged by 5-10 per cent, depending on the depot and location.
Reacting in an earlier interview, an oil and gas expert, Olatide Jeremiah, said depots are poised to increase the loading price of refined petroleum products.
Jeremiah, who is the Chief Executive Officer of petroleumprice.ng, said, “It implies that there is a possibility of increased fuel prices, particularly diesel prices.
“As of Friday, when Brent crude neared $80, prices selectively increased in some depots in Lagos, and on Monday, prices might be jacked up by importers because a large chunk of oil marketers import petroleum products and Brent crude is a major determining factor in the refining process.”
Another marketer, Bayo Adelaja said, “Depot rates have escalated sharply, and this is directly affecting pump prices. Consumers should expect further fluctuations in the coming weeks,” he noted.
With depot rates showing no signs of stabilising, the coming weeks may bring further adjustments, emphasising the need for long-term strategies to mitigate the impact on consumers and the economy.
Nigerian army says 76 Islamist militants killed in Borno state - REUTERS
ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian troops have killed 76 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the country's northeastern Borno state in recent weeks, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
The militants were believed to belong to the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, who have been waging a deadly insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009 that has displaced millions and killed thousands, with Borno at its epicenter.
The militants have stepped up attacks in Borno since the turn of the year, including an assault on Dumba community on Sunday where at least 40 farmers were killed.
Military spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba said troops killed 24 fighters during offensive operations in Damboa, Bama, and Chibok areas of Borno between Jan. 7 and 13.
He did not provide details on troop casualties during the operations.
Troops arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight hostages during the operations, he said in a statement.
Buba said weapons and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices, were recovered during the operations.
(Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
By Camillus Eboh
UK set to introduce digital driving licences - BBC
BY Maia Davies
Digital driving licences are to be introduced in the UK as the government looks to use technology to "transform public services".
They will be accessed on a new government smartphone app and could be accepted as a form of ID when buying alcohol, voting, or boarding domestic flights.
Physical licences will still be issued, but ministers believe the voluntary digital option will "drag government into the 2020s," according to The Times.
A government spokesperson told BBC News: "This government is committed to using technology to make people's lives easier and transform public services.
"Technology now makes it possible for digital identities to be more secure than physical ones, but we remain clear that they will not be made mandatory."
The virtual licences could be used at supermarket self checkouts, The Times said,, external allowing customers to verify their own age without waiting for a member of staff.
The new digital licences will be introduced later this year, the newspaper reported.
A possible feature could allow users to hide their address in certain situations, such as in bars or shops.
It was estimated there were more than 34 million full driving licence holders in England in 2023, according to government data., external
The digital licences are likely to be launched as part of a "wallet" within a new government app called Gov.uk.
The wallet is understood to be secured in a similar way to many banking apps, and would only allow the genuine owner of a licence to access it.
It will use features found on many smartphones, such as biometrics and multifactor authentication, like security codes.
The government is said to be considering integrating other services into the app, such as tax payments and benefits claims.
Other forms of identification, such as national insurance numbers, could also be added - but it is not thought physical identification will be replaced entirely.
The new technology appears to stop short of being a broad digital ID card – as previously called for by Sir Tony Blair and Lord William Hague.
At the time, the head of privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch said such a move "would be one of the biggest assaults on privacy ever seen in the UK".
In 2016, the then-boss of the UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) said digital licences were being developed.
Virtual licences are already in use in Australia, Denmark, Iceland and Norway, as well as some US states.
In the European Union, every member state is required to introduce at least one form of digital ID by 2026.
Egypt approves visa waiver for Nigerian diplomats - THE GUARDIAN
By Kareem Azeez
Nigerian diplomats will now enjoy a visa waiver to Egypt following the elevation of the relationship between both countries to a Comprehensive Partnership level.
A statement released by the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that both countries will also explore other areas of collaboration and partnership during their meeting in Cairo, Egypt, with security cooperation being a key agenda item.
The statement further noted that both countries have committed to intensifying coordination on regional and international issues.
The Minister of Water Resources, Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, are leading the Nigerian delegation in Cairo to participate in the third round of political consultations with Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty.
According to the statement, both countries aim to strengthen the African Union’s role in addressing continental challenges and promoting integration.
They also pledged to advance democracy, good governance, and the objectives of Agenda 2063.
Egypt and Nigeria have agreed to enhance security cooperation by sharing experiences in implementing comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies.
The discussion also included conflict resolution in Africa through peacebuilding and sustainable development initiatives.
“The ministers acknowledged the potential for increased bilateral economic engagement and agreed to encourage both governmental and private sector participation in areas such as agriculture, energy, telecommunications, and infrastructure.
“They also discussed plans to establish a Nigeria-Egypt Chamber of Commerce by the end of 2025, with a formal launch anticipated during the fourth round of ministerial-level consultations in Abuja in 2026,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The Nigerian delegation commended recent agreements on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and the adjustment of visa fees for citizens of both countries, reflecting a mutual commitment to facilitating easier movement and stronger people-to-people connections.
Nigeria Immigration Service Announces System Upgrade on Passport Portal - VON
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced a system upgrade and maintenance on its passport application portal to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery.
This upgrade commenced on 19 January 2025 and is expected to take 72 hours to complete.
In a statement, the NIS explained that the upgrade would affect domestic applicants using the passport portal within Nigeria. However, the agency clarified that the system for Nigerians applying for passports from outside the country would remain fully operational.
The NIS expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the temporary disruption, assuring applicants that the upgrade is necessary to enhance the portal’s functionality. The agency emphasised its commitment to providing seamless and efficient services to all Nigerians, both at home and abroad.
During the maintenance period, domestic passport applications will be temporarily unavailable. Applicants have been advised to monitor the NIS’s official channels for updates on the progress of the system upgrade and when the portal will be fully restored.
The upgrade is part of ongoing efforts by the NIS to modernise its operations and ensure the delivery of excellent services. It aligns with the agency’s goal of adopting advanced technology to address challenges in the passport application process, such as delays and inefficiencies.
For further updates, applicants are encouraged to stay connected through the NIS’s official website and social media platforms. The NIS has assured the public that a dedicated team is working round the clock to ensure the system upgrade is completed as scheduled.
This initiative underscores the importance of robust digital infrastructure in facilitating public services and improving user experience in line with global best practices.
Nigeria Seeks to Grow December Reveler Jamboree Boosting Tourism - BLOOMBERG
- Lagos state saw activities generate more than $71 million
- Devalued currency meant many tourists were flush with cash
FG plans N300m fine against Royal Air Maroc over infractions - PUNCH
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, is set to fine Royal Air Maroc up to N300m for alleged unprofessional conduct and non-compliance with regulatory standards.
The NCAA is gearing up to impose what could be the largest sanction in the history of Nigeria’s aviation industry against the airline.
This was revealed to our correspondent by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the NCAA, Michael Achimugu.
Royal Air Maroc is Morocco’s national airline, primarily owned by the government. Operating from its hub at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, the airline offers a wide domestic and regional network across Morocco and Africa, along with international routes to Europe, the Middle East, and America.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Achimugu said, “We are preparing heavier sanctions against Royal Air Maroc. Possibly going to be the biggest sanction in Nigeria’s aviation history. The airline has been quite unprofessional and unresponsive as well.”
As part of the pending sanctions, the NCAA is considering a fine of between N200m to N300m against Royal Air Maroc.
“We are looking at a N200m to N300m fine. We are preparing the case, especially because they have not been very responsive to the inquiries from the authorities. And that in itself is a crime, it’s wrong, it’s an offence by the NCAA regulations,” Achimugu told The PUNCH.
According to him, Royal Air Maroc has been flagged as a serial offender, prompting the NCAA to initiate a detailed investigation into their conduct. “We are gathering all the facts to ensure that Nigerian passengers will get world-class service from every airline operating in Nigeria,” he said.
The NCAA had reportedly initiated an enforcement action against the airline, a step that Achimugu clarified was still in the administrative and legal processing stages.
“It is going through legal processes. Every initiation of enforcement, that’s why it was called initiation of enforcement action. It is not yet a sanction, it is an initiation,” he explained.
Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA is committed to ensuring due process before any final sanctions are imposed.
“Legal has to ratify it, clear it up, and then the Director General will sign it into effect. However, the airlines were already responding, and most of them were quickly resolving the issues for which we sanctioned them. However, every resolution that came after the announcement of that enforcement action was still going to be sanctioned,” he said.
He assured the public that the NCAA is determined to follow the rules while holding airlines accountable for their actions.
“We will not sanction them unjustly, but we are gathering a case that is going to be a record in the history of Nigerian civil aviation from the consumer protection perspective,” he said.
The PUNCH recently reported that Achimugu warned airlines against exceeding the timelines outlined in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 for processing passenger refunds, emphasizing that any violations would result in sanctions.
A week later, the NCAA took enforcement actions against Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors.
This decision followed a warning issued by the agency in response to a surge in passenger complaints.
Recall that the Nigerian government had taken steps to address complaints against the airline concerning an issue when an Abuja-bound flight from Casablanca made an emergency landing in Marrakesh due to a technical problem, leaving passengers, most of whom were Nigerians, stranded.
Passengers reported being left without adequate care, including food and proper shelter, with women and children forced to sleep on the floor. This led to widespread complaints about ill-treatment.
In response, the Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directed the Consumer Protection Department of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to engage with the airline and ensure the situation is remedied.
Preliminary investigations by the NCAA revealed that while refreshments were provided to stranded passengers, visa requirements in Morocco prevented them from being accommodated outside the terminal.
However, the NCAA summoned the airline’s management, signaling the government’s commitment to addressing passenger grievances.
Over 5,000 Nigerian women stranded in Iraq – NiDCOM - DAILY TRUST
Over 5,000 Nigerian women are currently stranded in Iraq, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has disclosed.
Chairman of the Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated that the women were sent to Iraq as caregivers only to be stranded.
She disclosed this in Lagos while addressing participants at the seminar on “Sensitisation and Advocacy Program for Promoting Diaspora Investment Potentials in South-West Nigeria” organised by NiDCOM in conjunction with G-Consulting International Services Limited.
Daily Trust reports that many Nigerians especially women have been stranded abroad after traveling through irregular means with promises of jobs.
Dabiri-Erewa told the participants selected from the Six South-West states that there are huge opportunities in Nigeria instead of migrating in the name of seeking greener pastures.
The Chairman disclosed that a husband sent his wife to Iraq to be a caregiver but the woman died mysteriously and the Nigerian Mission is helping to bring back the corpse.
She said: “As I speak with you today, there are about 5,000 women stranded in Iraq. I just dealt with a case last week. A husband sent his wife to Iraq to go and be a caregiver. She’s dead.
“Can you imagine! Now how do you bring the body back? That’s what is worrying the husband. He doesn’t know where to start. So we had to intervene. The mission had been able to intervene, they would do an autopsy to see how she died because she just died mysteriously being a caregiver.”
Dabiri-Erewa told the participants selected from the Six South-West states that there are huge opportunities in Nigeria instead of migrating in the name of seeking greener pastures.
The Chairman disclosed that a husband sent his wife to Iraq to be a caregiver but the woman died mysteriously and the Nigerian Mission is helping to bring back the corpse.
She said: “As I speak with you today, there are about 5,000 women stranded in Iraq. I just dealt with a case last week. A husband sent his wife to Iraq to go and be a caregiver. She’s dead.
“Can you imagine! Now how do you bring the body back? That’s what is worrying the husband. He doesn’t know where to start. So we had to intervene. The mission had been able to intervene, they would do an autopsy to see how she died because she just died mysteriously being a caregiver.”
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