General News
AFARN Calls for Expansion of MMIA Apron

Kingsley Nwokoma, president of Association of Foreign Airlines and their Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN), has called for the expansion of the cargo apron at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja.
According to Nwokoma who spoke at this year’s safety summit of the Association of Foreign Airlines and their Representatives in Nigeria said the expansion of the apron will generate more revenue for the government especially at this time of dwindling oil prices.
He noted that one of the positives of the year was the construction of the ultra modern SAHCOL warehouse stressing that it has added value to the industry and also entrenched healthy competition.
Nwokoma declared “With safety in our hands, we must prioritise it, practice it and promote it”
He noted that with the challenges in the aviation industry that the sector was still on the path of recovery which can only recover fully when stakeholders in the sector make safety related issues to be on the front burner.
Nwokoma commended the minister Osita Chidoka for setting up committee to look into aeronautical and non aeronautical charges which AFARN has made representatives.
Dr. Alex Okoh,director, Port Health Services, Lagos, in her speech appealed to air travellers to always cooperate with health officials at international airports in the screening process against diseases, including the Ebola Virus .
The Director, Port Health Services, Lagos, Dr. Alex Okoh made the appeal at this year’s safety summit of the Association of Foreign Airlines and their Representatives in Nigeria.
Dr. Okoh noted that with the high volume of passengers this season, caution must be taken to avoid another out break of any dreaded disease in the country
She explained that safety in the industry was also in focus at the event with the theme: Aviation Safety Management in Nigeria: Evolution or Revolution?
According to Dr. Okoh, though nigeria has been certified Ebola free by the World Health Organization, WHO, there may still be the risk of any outbreak due to the large movement of people through the various port of entries.
The health director cautioned that complacency was dangerous, adding that awareness and sensitization drive had to be intensified due to the attitude of passengers at screening points.
Dr. Okoh noted that to stop Ebola through the nation’s airports, passengers and airlines must subject themselves to screening and support the measures put in place in containing the spread to make the job of the port health officials seamless.
She said on a daily basis 6 to 10 thousands passengers were screened and that efforts were being made to install walk through body scanners at the airports.
The health personnel also called for continued implementation of public health measures and screening activities at all points, assuring air travellers of constant monitoring of in bound and out bound passengers.
Captain Henry Omeogu, director, Airport Operations, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), harped on the need for other agencies to join hands in protecting the lives and safety of traveller
On the issue of safety, various speakers in their presentations emphassised the need for effective implementation of the safety management system as required by ICAO.
They commended government for the remodeling of airports and continuous investments in the industry to make it safe, attractive and comfortable to passengers
The theme of this years conference is, Aviation Safety Management in Nigeria: Evolution or Revolution?
General News
Fortune Global Shipping Aims to Transform Nigeria’s Business Landscape

Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics Limited is set to transform the business landscape of the logistics industry through services in oil and gas logistics, project cargo and lots more.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Eric Opah, in a statement said the organisation is expanding into more regions across the globe with its latest addition of a corporate office in Benin Republic, while the Abuja and Lekki free trade zones which follow soon will be part of asset acquisition to serve the clients better.
In the statement tagged, “Plans for 2025: Global Business Expansion, Exciting Benefits for Customers Top the List,” Opah said he remains committed to upholding and promoting global standards and will stop at nothing in providing value added services to support clients and help them thrive this year.
He said: “The organisation is expanding into more regions across the globe with its latest addition of a corporate office in Benin Republic, while the Abuja and Lekki free trade zones which follow soon will be part of asset acquisition to serve the clients better.
“Much more, the number one Africa logistics partner has reiterated the commitment to provide innovative and ‘value-centric’ services in oil and gas logistics, project cargo and lots more.
“We remain committed to upholding and promoting global standards and will stop at nothing in providing value added services to support our clients and help them thrive this year.”
General News
Investing in Innovation Africa Shifts Focus to Growth-stage Startups in Response to US Aid “stop-work” Directive

Investing in Innovation Africa (i3), a pan-African initiative for startups building the future of healthcare supply chains, has made a pivotal change to its third cohort selection to prioritize the immediate support for between five and seven growth-stage companies building the future of pharmacy care in Africa.
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and sponsored by MSD, Cencora, Endless Foundation, HELP Logistics, Sanofi’s Global Health Unit and Chemonics, i3 is dedicated to facilitating the commercialization of promising early- and growth-stage companies.
Selected startups receive introductions to leading potential customers in industry, donor agencies and governments, grant funding, and tailored investment readiness support from leading accelerators Villgro Africa, IMPACT Lab, Startupbootcamp Afritech, and CcHUB.
This comes in response to the United States (US) State Department’s “stop-work” directive for foreign aid issued on January 25, which is anticipated to impact the distribution of essential medicine in Africa’s healthcare supply chains.
The order highlights and intensifies the need for locally-driven, market-creating approaches to health product distribution and service delivery across Africa.
General News
Fidelity Bank to Launch Dedicated SME Hub for Small Businesses and Creative Entrepreneurs

Fidelity Bank, a leading financial institution, has announced the imminent launch of its dedicated physical facility for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SME) and entrepreneurs in the creative sector.

Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc
Known as the Fidelity SME Hub, the multipurpose facility features training halls, meeting rooms, networking spaces, podcast rooms as well as music, photography and content production studios.
“For nearly four decades, Fidelity Bank has been at the forefront of supporting small businesses in achieving their potential and driving the nation’s economy. During this time, we have recognized that SMEs require more than just financial assistance. This realization has led to the implementation of various non-financial initiatives tailored to support this sector.
“The Fidelity SME Hub is our latest non-financial solution for SME growth. The facility is designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building -vital elements necessary for strengthening Nigeria’s SME ecosystem and driving economic growth”, commented Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc in a chat with journalists recently.
Located at the heart of Lagos, the Fidelity SME Hub will provide entrepreneurs with networking and stakeholder engagement initiatives as well as access to industry experts and mentors for hands-on guidance and business advice. A key feature of the facility is the Creativerse, a well-equipped space for entrepreneurs in the creative industry.
The bank has also announced the launch of dedicated courses to be hosted at the SME Hub in areas such as Financial Management & Investment Readiness, Digital Transformation & Technology Adoption, Marketing, Branding, and Business Growth Strategies. Furthermore, a fully-fledged creative academy will be established to cover courses on Music Production, the Business of Music, Website Design & Development, Mobile Videography, Disc Jockey and Photography. To see a comprehensive list of available courses or to apply, please visit https://www.fidelitybank.ng/smehub/.
Explaining further, Onyeali-Ikpe said, “Beyond empowering small businesses, the Fidelity SME Hub will also serve to bolster our non-oil exports drive as we empower SMEs to increase their contribution to Nigeria’s non-oil GDP thus supporting government’s economic diversification drive. Through our investment in Creativerse in particular, we anticipate that content creators will unlock new revenue streams in entertainment, digital media, and arts, an industry already contributing 2.3% to GDP.”
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank serving over 8.5 million customers through its 255 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, as well as through digital banking channels.
The bank has garnered multiple local and international awards, including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023, and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards. It was also recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023 and the Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.
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