Lagos to Abuja N80k, PH to Kano N85k — airlines increase fares over rising fuel cost

Nigeria airlines have increased fares for domestic flights to at least N80,000 depending on the trip over the rising cost of aviation fuel and foreign exchange (FX) crisis.

Checks on Friday showed that Azman Air flight from Lagos to Kano/Kaduna increased from about N60,000 to N100,000.

Air Peace also increased fares to N80,000 for flights to Abuja from Lagos, while a return journey is now N85,000.

From Port Harcourt to Kano, the flight price is pegged at N85,000 for the same airline.

Ibom Air, on its website, pegged the price at N80,000 for the same routes, while Max Air goes for N84,000 for Lagos to Abuja flights while Port Harcourt to Kano is around N130,000.

The increase in fares may not be unconnected to the multiple challenges in Nigeria’s air travel sector. The aviation industry is faced with a surge in the prices of jet A1 fuel which is significantly affecting operations.

During an emergency meeting with Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, on Tuesday, the Airline Operators Association of Nigeria (AON) decried that aviation fuel has surged to about N1000 per litre from N180 per litre.

Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, president, AON, said the forex crisis was also a huge burden on the industry.

On his part, Sirika said the variables impacting the crises in the aviation sector were beyond the industry’s control, and as such, “there is no immediate solution”.

He, however, said the federal government is working to end the hike in aviation fuel prices through the revitalization of refineries and coming on stream of the Dangote refinery.

 

Itsekiri Graduates Swears in new Executives

 Itsekiri Graduates Swears in Executives

Some of the sworn in Executives led the President, Comr. Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo(4th: R-L)

News:

Itsekiri Graduates Swears on Executives 

 

The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, has sworn in its Executive body that will pilot the affairs of the Association for the next two years.

 

The Sworn-in ceremony took place on Saturday July 23, 2022 at the NAIG Secretariat, Ugbori, Warri.

 

In his speech, President of the Association, Comr. Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo who spoke on behalf of other Executives, thanked the entire members of NAIG and the Electoral Committee for another opportunity to serve the the noble Association.

 

Comr. Eburajolo reassure the Association that the Executives will continue to strive for excellence and the confidence reposed on them for this two years,  they will not fail them.

 

“We are on course and by the grace of God, these two years, we will be able to achieve everything we have said we will achieve” he stated.

 

Chairman of NAIG Electoral Committee, Comr. Kelly Eyeogode on his parts, admonished the Executives to work in unity in order to take the Association to greater heights.

 

Other members of the Sworn-in Executives include: Thomas Ejueyitchie Ekpoto; Vice President, Esiategiwa Mino; General Secretary, Tetsoma Neyin; Public Relations Officer, Bibi Ellis; Financial Secretary, Akperi Joshua Itse; Treasurer, Anthony Amoruwa; Project Director, Adoro Eyituoyo Sisanmi; Assistant Secretary, Okotie Monday Michael; Assistant PRO, Oritseneye Fredrick; Social Organizing Officer and Egbe Kenneth; Provost.

 

Itsekiri Graduates drums support for Dibi, Olero, Abiteye Protesters, says enough of Oil Majors

 

Itsekiri Graduates drums support for Dibi, Olero, Abiteye Protesters, says enough of Oil Majors exploitation 

 

Comr. Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo 

News:

By Tetsoma Neyin 

Itsekiri Graduates drums support for Dibi, Olero, Abiteye Protesters, says enough of Oil Majors exploitation 

Itsekiri Graduates under the aegis of National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG has reaffirmed their full support to the ongoing protests by Host Communities over the constant neglect of Chevron Nigeria Limited and other IOCS despite the fact that Itsekiris are the largest producer of Crude Oil and Gas in Delta State.

 

Addressing newsmen in a Press briefing held on Wednesday July 20, 2022 at its Secretariat, Ugbori, Warri, President of Itsekiri Graduates Body, Comr. Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo said that Chevron Nigeria Limited has neglected Itsekiri Homeland for too long while they continue to benefit from the richness of the land.

 

Eburajolo who spoke on behalf of other Executives accused Chevron Nigeria Limited of the high rates of unemployment in Itsekiri Nation due to the fact that Chevron Nig. Ltd is busy giving out Itsekiri job slots to the Igbos and other tribes lIving Itsekiri graduates jobless, just as he called on the Delta State Government for effective intervention policies on the issue that has lingered for over many years.

 

“NAIG has been on the forefront of this battle of Chevron Nigeria Limited gross marginalization of our people in the distribution of infrastructural development. It is on record that Chevron Nigeria Limited has not given the Itsekiri Nation any job slot for a long time now.

 

“Our brothers and sisters in VTP5/OTP2, and VTP6 program were unjustly denied their permanent employment by the Management of Chevron, despite completion of their program over 9 years ago and Chevron's inability to issue them their OPITO Certificate buttresses Chevron’s public display of gross marginalization."

 

“The protest by Indigenes of Olero, Dibi and Abiteye fields is long overdue and could not have occurred better than now, seeing the state of abject poverty the people are living in for decades.”

 

The Group who threatened that all demands of the protesters must be met to avoid another shutdown, expressed appreciation to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III for his intervention while commending the unrelenting protesters and their leaders for making the Delta State Government and Chevron Nigeria Limited to embark physical assessment of the communities.

 

 

 

 

Lawal Africas Commends OSHAssociation, Bags Institution’s Fellowship Membership Award

  

Lawal Africas Commends OSHAssociation, Bags Institution’s Fellow Membership Award

 

News:

 

The Occupational Safety And Health Association (OSHAssociation) United Kingdom, UK has been commended for fulfilling its mandate of making occupational health and safety management an integral part of every economic sector to promote safety and save lives and most importantly the group’s recent Fellow Membership Awards to some eminent Nigerians who had distinguished themselves as Safety and Health Practitioners globally.

The Network Coordinator, Partners For Peace In The Niger-Delta Region (P4P), High Chief (AMB.) Lawal Africas made this remark on Sunday in a telephone conversation with the Daily Independent correspondent emphasized that OSHAssociation had fulfilled its motto as Safety and Health Institution.

High Chief (AMB) Lawal Africas (MICMC, FIMC, CMC, FOSHA), now inducted as a Fellow of the OSHAssociation United Kingdom, UK, is a Nigerian Community Development expert, Chartered Mediator, Conciliator with over Fifteen years of Local and International experience had pen-ultimate weekend amongst other eminent Nigerians, Africans bagged “Fellow of the Occupational Safety And Health Association (OSHAssociation) United Kingdom, UK, which is the Institution’s highest honour to its members.

Lawal Africas, the Asuku 1 of the Oloibiri Kingdom of the Ijaw ethnic Nationality of Bayelsa State was asked by our reporter to critically give a breakdown, and explain the global imperativeness of OSHAssociation as a Safety and Health Institution to Nigerians, Africans? And what Partners For Peace In The Niger-Delta Region is all about? Also media enquiries on Lawal Africa’s experiences as a global peace Ambassador and successes in the work of peace-building Initiatives, and cultural development in the Niger-Delta Region, Nigeria, Africa, and globally.

 

 

Lawal Africas, a Certified Public Speaker, Management Consultant and Enterprise Incubator, stated that the Association is an independent Professional Association with International Membership, Regional Chapters Worldwide, and that the Association is registered in England and Wales.

Speaking further, he said: “OSHAssociation is for occupational health and safety management, which is an integral part of every economic sector, whose motto is to promote safety and save lives. Partners For Peace In The Niger-Delta Region is West Africa’s largest grassroots peace-building network with over ten thousand peace actors across the Niger-Delta Region”.

He stated that P4P is a project of the Foundation For Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) established by Chevron Corporation, and the office is responsible for identifying and facilitating of a network of organizations and individuals committed to promoting peace, reducing violence and conflict in the Niger-Delta Region.

In his words: “As a student leader, I have served in various capacities as the coordinator, Amnesty international. Am a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt and an Alumnus of the Kofi Annan International Peace-keeping Training Centre, Accra, Ghana. Am presently a member of the Knowledge Network of the United Nations office, SpecialAdviser on Africa (UN-OSAA)”.

“Presently, I sit on the Boards of Initiative For Sustainable Peace And Entrepreneurship Development (ISPED) and Sustainable Initiative For Nurturing Growth (SING). Am an Ex-officio Member, International Society For Cooperative Education, Science And Technology of Nigeria”.

“I had previously worked in an exchange program with the Polish Ministry of Education in conjunction with AIESEC to promote African Culture, Teaching in over 20 high schools in Poland on Entrepreneurship and Cultural Education”.

“Finally, I must commend my colleagues, fellow inductees who were also honoured by the OSHAssociation United Kingdom, the UK which included amongst others are: The Commissioner for Health, Akwa Ibom State, Prof Augustine Vincent Umoh, The Head of Service Akwa Ibom State, Elder Efiong Essien, Lecturer, University of Uyo, Prof James Asuquo, Criminologist, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpe, HSE Manager, Ibom Power Company, Iniobong Udofia, Assistant HSE Manager, Port & Cargo Handing Services, Representative, Mobile Producing Nigeria, Recipient of Outstanding Safety Leadership Award, Engr. Meyen Ekpo Etukudo, inductees on as full members, graduate, associate and student members, and other Fellow Membership inductees so numerous to mention”.

 

Iwere Women Prayer Network holds one day Prayer Retreat, declares no more dryness in the Land

 

Iwere Women Prayer Network holds one day Prayer Retreat, declares no more dryness in the Land 

 

Her Majesty, Olori Atuwatse III 

News:

Iwere Women Prayer Network holds one day Prayer Retreat, declares no more dryness in the Land 

 

Iwere Women Prayer Network, an initiative of her Majesty, Olori Atuwatse III, and backed up by wives of Chiefs from Warri kingdom has put together a one day prayer retreat to intercede for Iwere land for God to wipe all forms of dryness in the land.

 

The one day prayer retreat with the theme  'No more dryness in the Land' which was held on Wednesday July 6, 2022 at the Olu’s Palace(Aghofen) Warri, had in attendance prominent Itsekiri women as well as other tribes from within the three Warri Local Government Areas.

 

Bishop Anirejuoritse & Bishop Juliet Olley in a group photograph with wives of Chiefs 

In her opening remarks, the Coordinator of the programme, Bishop (Mrs.) Juliet Olley who spoke on behalf of Olori Atuwatse III, stated that women are the voice and salt of Iwere nation, and when they go on their knees to God in prayers, nothing can stand against them.

 

She thanked Olori Atuwatse III for opening the Programme to accommodate other tribes who are willing to lend their voices in prayers for the growth and development of Warri kingdom, adding that the prayer retreat is a quarterly event.

 

Bishop Anirejuoritse in a group photograph with Iwere Women 

 

In his thought provoking sermon, Bishop Anirejuoritse who took his sermon from the book of 1 Chronicles 26 verse 3 declared that Iwere land has become the glory of God right from the day the King sat on the throne and handed over the kingdom to God.

 

L-R: Mrs. Patience Omolubi, Bishop Juliet Olley, Bishop Anirejuoritse, Mrs. Otumara, Mrs. Mayuku & Mrs. Awala

 

Bishop Anirejuoritse further charged the women to always back up their prayers with faith because, faithless prayers are like mockery in God’s ears and has no bearings.

 

 

Warri Voice Newspaper can state authoritatively that the women who attended the prayer retreat prayed earnestly during the different sections of prayers for the King and the land.

 

Olu of Warri gives Sights to Cataract Patients in Delta

 Olu of Warri gives Sights to Cataract Patients in Delta

His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri 

 

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III has organized a one week free cataract surgeries to restore sights back to over 500 Nigerians suffering from cataract.

 

This laudable initiative of the revered Monarch which attracted people from within and outside the shores of Delta State was done in collaboration with Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation, Elena Baraquer Foundation and GB Foods respectively.

 

The seven days event was held on Saturday July 2, to Friday July 8, 2022 at Agbowu Medical Center, Ekurede Itsekiri, Warri.

 

The Olu of Warri, who was ably represented by Chief Edwin Olley said that the free cataract surgeries are opened for all Nigerians irrespective of location, saying that it is of great joy for him to see everyone blind through cataract regain their sights.

 

Dr. Mejuya Okorodudun & Dr. Elena Baraquer 

Addressing the Press, Founder of Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation, Dr. Mejuya Okorodudun appreciated the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III for his Fatherly love towards his people and Deltans at large by ensuring that every tribe benefit from the free surgery, just as he commended the Monarch for procuring 40 feet container and 20 feet container for mobile cataract services to at Ogheye Community, Ugborodo, Forcados and Benin River.

 

Dr. Okorodudun whose sole aim is to eradicate cataract from Deltans disclosed that on the orders of the Olu of Warri, his team paid a visit to the Oroje of Okpe and Ovie of Uvwie to register cataract patients in their domain for them to partake in the free surgery.

“Like the Olu of Warri said, blindness does not know a tribe. Once you are blind, you are blind. So, if you say you do not want other tribe to come, then you will be missing the point. 

“We also have our mobile cataract services because we are not Surgeons that remain in our offices and wait for people to come to us, we take our practices to them, especially those in the riverine communities”.

 

Dr. Okorodudun   further thanked Elena Baraquer Foundation and GB Foods for their robust partnership which has recorded a huge success, assuring Deltans of better days ahead.

 

Representative of GB Foods,  Adeleye Adubi who was overwhelmed with the massive turnout of cataract patients, said that the management of GB Foods are truly happy to be one of the partners of  the initiative of the Olu of Warri to restore sight to the blind.

 

Dr. Mejuya Okorodudun, Staff of Elena Baraquer Foundation & Mr. Adeleye Adubi

A beneficiary of the free cataract surgery, Mrs. Jemide Lawal expressed joy and thanked the Olu of Warri,  Elena Baraquer Foundation, Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation and GB Foods for giving them back their sights.

 

 

 

 

 

NAIG Re-elect Executives for Second term based on Excellent Performance

 NAIG Re-Elect Executives for Second term  based on Excellent Performance  

President of NAIG, Comr. Ben Eyitemi Eburajolo casting his vote 

News:

NAIG Re-Elect Executives for Second term  based on Excellent Performance 

 

The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates, NAIG, has re-elected its Executives to run for a second term based on their excellent performance during their first term in office.

 

This was done in the just concluded general election of the Association, held on Saturday July 9, 2022 at the NAIG Secretariat, Ugbori, Warri.

 

Mr. Martins Ejueyitsi Otuedon, Prince Clem Ade Omatoye & Mr. Fregene Taiwo in a group photograph with some of the re-elected Executives 

The Executives were re-elected unopposed except for the position of the Provost with 21 votes out of 47 members accredited for the exercise.

 

In his acceptance speech, re-elected President, Comr. Ben Eburajolo who spoke on behalf of other Executives thanked members of the high table and the electorates for their votes of confidence, assuring that his major priority is to see how to source for jobs for the Association, get a permanent Secretariat for NAIG and boost the economic welfare of members, especially the committed ones.

 

Some members of NAIG Electoral Committee led by their Chairman, Comr. Kelly Eyeogode (3rd; Right-Left)

Comrade Eburajolo, appealed to all Itsekiri sons and daughters in prominent offices to support the Association.

 

Addressing the Executives, Chief Barr. Robinson Ariyo who was ably represented by Prince Clem Ade Omatoye, Esq. congratulated the Executives for their re-election, even as he assured the Association of his readiness to render advise and support whenever he is called upon to see a better NAIG.

 

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman, Board of Trustees(BOT) of NAIG, Dr. Martins Ejueyitsi Otuedon, an academician, congratulated members of the reelected Executives promising them continued support in the quest to move NAIG forward.

 

Dr. Otuedon admonished Comr. Eburajolo to consistently consult leaders for support and work in harmony with other members of his Executives in order to achieve great success.

 

Also speaking, Chairman of Warri Progressive Society, Otonloye (Warri Chapter), and one of the Observers, Comrade Fregene Taiwo, commended the Association for conducting a peaceful and credible election, just as he offered NAIG the famous Otonloye Hall at Ugbori at no cost for all its events going forward. 

 

Chairman Electoral Committee for NAIG 2022 general elections, Comr. Kelly Eyeogode congratulated members of the Executives and the electorates as well as other members of the electoral committee for a successful election.

 

Other members of the elected Executives include: Thomas Ejueyitchie Ekpoto; Vice President, Esiategiwa Mino; General Secretary, Tetsoma Neyin; Public Relations Officer, Bibi Ellis; Financial Secretary, Akperi Joshua Itse; Treasurer, Anthony Amoruwa; Project Director, Adoro Eyituoyo Sisanmi; Assistant Secretary, Okotie Monday Michael; Assistant PRO, Oritseneye Fredrick; Social Organizing Officer and Egbe Kenneth; Provost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warri Kingdom Prepares for First Coronation Anniversary of 21st Olu of Warri.

 

Warri Kingdom Prepares for First Coronation Anniversary of 21st Olu of Warri.

 

The first Coronation Anniversary of the 21st Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, begins from Wednesday August 17 to Sunday August 21 in Warri, Delta State. 

 

The Coronation schedules was gathered from a press statement issued by the Palace, signed by the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the Anniversary ceremony, Prince Yemi Emiko and sent to Warri Voice Newspaper Friday July 8, 2022.

 

Recall that the crowning of the King, “brought so much excitement, vitality, innovation and hope to the Itsekiri people and all those living within the kingdom, spread across three local government areas in Delta State and beyond”.

 

The Events, would be kick- started with Praise Day activities, including extensive thanksgiving, praise and worship session, inside the main Church Auditorium at the Palace in Warri. 

 

It will be followed the next day with ‘Warri Food Festival’, a novel idea of His Majesty, to showcase different food items, sources, mode of preparation as well as serving of the cuisines. This would be followed closely same day with the Iwere Music Concert and launch of the Iwere Royal Society.

 

Friday August 19, has been declared Health Day, where various health care services, would be launched and delivered to the people by His Majesty, at the Palace of Chief Nana Olomu, the great Merchant of the Niger Delta and successful Itsekiri businessman, who was Governor of the Benin River Protectorate, under the British Colonial administration. Health Care service delivery is one of the corner stone policies of Ogiame Atuwatse III’s reign.

 

The statement, further affirmed that activities will shift to Ode Itsekiri, Headquarters of Warri Kingdom, on Saturday August 20, where Itsekiri in their hundreds of thousands, will take turn to pay homage to their revered First Class Monarch, amid cultural display, traditional dances, drumming, singing, exhibition of Itsekiri arts and history as well as show off of family heirloom by various Itsekiri Nobles, in a joyous and exciting atmosphere.

 

Prince Emiko, disclosed that the anniversary would be rounded off on Sunday August 21, which is the actual coronation day of the 21st Olu of Warri, with a thanksgiving service inside the church at Aghofen, the Palace of the Olu of Warri in Warri mainland.

 

The Statement, assured all and sundry that the gates of the Palace, would be opened to all Itsekiri sons and daughters, home and abroad, friends of Iwere land and to their neighbors and well-wishers, who desire to partake peacefully in the celebrations.