General News
Emirates Art & Engineering at Decals
It was a busy year for the team at Emirates’ Aircraft Appearance Centre, who successfully completed more than three aircraft decal installations in an average week, bringing the total number of installations to 157 in 2014.
When a new aircraft arrives to join Emirates’ fleet, the team at the Aircraft Appearance Centre get busy working on the aircraft for decal installations, such as the “World Expo 2020 – Dubai Host City” logo which is proudly emblazoned on all of Emirates’ 58 A380 aircraft.
The largest decal ever installed, was the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ logo, measuring 21 by 9 metres.
A team of 14 are specialised in the installation of decals on aircraft at Emirates’ Aircraft Appearance Centre.
The in-house decal production facility is approximately 250 square metres in size and has the capability to print and install decals like the World Expo 2020 logo, in less than four hours with a team of two people.
Larger and more complex decals could take up to 24 hours to print and install.
“It’s a fairly detailed process,” said Naveed Khan, manager of the Aircraft Appearance Centre, when asked about how decals are made and then installed on an aircraft.
“In terms of the fabrication phase, we first receive the master design from the Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand department. We then convert it into a working document and then match the colours in the master design to the print output by testing different combinations of colours. The graphic is then broken down into various parts or tiles according to the print media being used. Finally, it is printed, laminated and cut to size.”
“When it comes to the actual installation, we prepare the area, take the necessary reference points on the fuselage, temporarily lay down the decal and then affix it, piece by piece, to the aircraft. Decals which are installed for longer periods of time are also scratch guarded and a clear coat is applied to prevent any erosion.”
Emirates’ in-house decal installation facility means that the paint shop team no longer need to source decals from third parties, resulting in significant cost and time savings, as well as the ability for last minute revisions to be made the decals, and ensuring a perfect fit on the aircraft fuselage.
“Aircraft decals are a bit like temporary tattoos. We wear them proudly on our fleet to tell a story, and celebrate Emirates’ association with key global events and activities that touch and inspire our customers and people around the world,” said Keith Carter, Vice President, Overhaul Workshops, Emirates Engineering.
Emirates first began putting decals on its aircraft 13 years ago to promote the Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises.
The airline is a long-time sponsor of both these key calendar events in Dubai.
Emirates has also created and installed aircraft decals for the 2014 Fifa World Cup™, its sponsorship of Real Madrid C.F. and Paris Saint Germain and even installed a one-off decal celebrating Mauritius’ 45th anniversary of independence during the first commercial A380 flight to the country in 2013.
Currently, in addition to the “World Expo 2020 – Dubai Host City” logo, Emirates also has 10 A380 aircraft emblazoned with the ICC Cricket World Cup logo flying across the globe, spreading the excitement for the sport and reaching out to passionate cricket fans across the world.
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Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a forward-looking strategy that places satellite-enabled mobile connectivity at the heart of the country’s drive to bridge its long-standing coverage gaps.
The draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector for 2025 to 2030 lays out how satellite technologies could help deliver reliable voice and data services to millions of Nigerians who live beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.
The direction is outlined in the Commission’s draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector covering the period.
The proposed approach highlights non-terrestrial networks as a complement to existing mobile infrastructure, especially in areas where terrain, insecurity, or high costs limit the deployment of base stations.
The NCC said D2D satellite technology, which allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, is gaining traction globally as a means of delivering voice and data services without reliance on ground towers.
According to the regulator, the technology could help close persistent coverage gaps in rural, riverine, and border communities that remain outside the reach of conventional networks.
It also noted that satellite-backed connectivity could improve network reliability by providing alternative links during fibre cuts, power failures, or other disruptions affecting terrestrial systems.
The Commission added that wider adoption of D2D services could support emergency communications, public safety operations, Internet of Things applications, and services such as smart agriculture in underserved regions.
It also pointed to potential investment opportunities through partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, including more efficient use of shared spectrum resources.
Beyond D2D services, the roadmap places emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit satellites to expand broadband access to remote parts of the country.
It also proposes better utilisation of Geostationary Orbit satellites and the exploration of high-altitude platforms, such as stratospheric balloons, to support mobile backhaul and rural connectivity.
The policy signals come shortly after Airtel Africa announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria.
The NCC’s roadmap is expected to shape future spectrum allocation, licensing decisions, and technology adoption across the telecommunications sector.
General News
House of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims
House of Representatives has released certified true copies of the four tax reform Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, addressing public concerns over alleged discrepancies between legislative versions and circulated gazetted documents.
Tax Reform Acts
House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the immediate publication of the Acts—including endorsement and presidential assent pages—for public verification, in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The move followed allegations raised by Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki on the House floor, highlighting inconsistencies between Bills passed by the National Assembly and executive gazetted versions, which he warned could erode legislative integrity and public trust.
Abbas constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Rep. Aliyu Betara, with members including Idris Wase, Sada Soli, Adedeji Faleke, Igariwey Iduma, Fred Agbedi and Babajimi Benson, to investigate the alleged alterations, unauthorised circulation and preventive measures.
The committee’s mandate includes probing circumstances around the discrepancies, while Abbas ordered internal verification and public release of certified copies to dispel doubts and safeguard legislative records. Legal experts, tax professionals and civil society had demanded clarification and implementation suspension amid heated debates triggered by Dasuki’s intervention.
The released laws comprise the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, 2025, described as foundational to modernising Nigeria’s tax system.
These reforms aim to enhance compliance, curb inefficiencies, eliminate overlaps and bolster fiscal coordination across federal, state and local tiers, following extensive stakeholder consultations, committee reviews and plenary debates under Abbas’s leadership.
Rotimi reassured Nigerians: “The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory. Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway.”
He emphasised that only National Assembly-certified versions hold authority, urging the public, institutions and stakeholders to disregard all other circulating documents as unofficial.
MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, has retained the distribution rights to 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels following the signing of a new multi-year, multi-territory agreement between CANAL+ Group and Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a significant expansion of their long-standing partnership.
MultiChoice
The new deal, which spans several regions across Africa and Europe, covers the distribution of HBO Max as well as the renewal of selected Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels. It represents a major milestone in the companies’ international collaboration and strengthens content offerings across MultiChoice Group territories.
MultiChoice disclosed that this agreement builds on earlier partnerships concluded in Europe. “It builds on the landmark agreements concluded in France in 2024,including the renewal of the exclusive pay-TV window for Warner Bros. Pictures films just six months after their theatrical release in France and the integration of HBO Max within select CANAL+ group offers – as well as in Poland in 2025, with the renewal of the distribution agreement for 22 thematic channels (including TVN 24 and Eurosport) and 4 free-to-air channels (including TVN).”
Under the renewed arrangement, MultiChoice Group will continue to distribute 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across its territories, with some channels offered on an exclusive basis. CNN International and Cartoon Network will remain exclusive to South Africa while being distributed non-exclusively in other markets. Cartoon Network Porto will be exclusive in Angola and Mozambique and non-exclusive elsewhere. Other channels such as Discovery Channel, TLC, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Africa, Travel, ID and Cartoonito will be offered on a non-exclusive basis.
According to the partners, the deal reinforces CANAL+ Group’s channel portfolio on the continent. “This agreement enables CANAL+ Group to strengthen its entertainment, kids, news, and documentary channel offerings in African markets.”
The agreement is also expected to improve access for CANAL+ Group subscribers to Warner Bros. Discovery’s premium content through HBO Max and selected channels, including globally recognised series and films, further extending the studio’s international reach while consolidating MultiChoice’s content offering in key markets.
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