The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • NCPC ends airlift of pilgrims

    NCPC ends airlift of pilgrims

    The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) successfully ended the airlift of pilgrims for the second Easter pilgrimage exercise on March 23.

    The last batch of pilgrims arrived on April 1.  The commission kept to its promise of embarking on two pilgrimages in one calendar year, October- December and March – April.

    The commission introduced the first Easter pilgrimage exercise in 2012 to give states who could not meet up with the deadline for payment of the October- December pilgrimage the opportunity to embark on pilgrimage during Easter and importantly for pilgrims to experience the power of resurrection in the holy land during the Easter pilgrimage exercise.

    The year 2013 Easter pilgrimage was officially flagged off on February 28 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

    Other dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Chairman of NCPC, Rev. Nicholas .D. Okoh , Minister of State for FCT Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, Rev Williams Okoye, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba who is the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, House Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs, Hon Nnenna Ukaeje, Senator Christopher Babajide Omoworare, Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Inter-Governmental Affairs and Federal Character, Senator Philip Taminu Aduda, among others. About 376 pilgrims from FCT and Benue State were the first batch to be airlifted.

    Welcoming the last batch of pilgrims at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on April 1, the representative of Mr. President, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, who is the Minister of Police Affairs, received the pilgrims on behalf of Mr. President.

    He addressed them in the Atlasjet aircraft which landed at 5:45pm. He urged the pilgrims to continue to pray for the success of the administration of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. He assured them that Mr. President was happy to see them back safely.

    Also, the Minister of State 1 Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, in her address, said: “I warmly and happily welcome you back to Nigeria. You came back with the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

    She further stressed: “We thank God for the grace, we thank God you came back safely without any abscondment.

    “This is great because it will encourage the government to continue to support pilgrimage exercise. The administration of President Jonathan will continue to support anything that will make the people happy.”

    Prof. Onwuliri also commended the Executive Secretary of NCPC Mr. John Kennedy Opara and his workforce for their commitment and hard work.

    She stressed that the prayers Pilgrims offered for the country during their sojourn in Israel will usher in permanent peace in Nigeria.

    In his remarks, the NCPC boss, Mr. John Kennedy Opara described Pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth. He affirmed that the Easter Pilgrimage exercise would continue to grow in leaps and bounds. He prayed and thanked God for the safe arrivals of the pilgrims and urged them to live a transformed life by impacting positively to their immediate communities.

    A total of 18 states with a combined total number of 3130 pilgrims were airlifted during the Easter Pilgrimage Exercise. It is important to state that about 83 Christians sponsored themselves to the Holy Land during the Easter Pilgrimage Exercise.

    The Commission made use of Atlasjet Airline as the official carrier for the Easter Pilgrimage Exercise. The package was the same as it was for the October- December exercise.

    The Commission rather than increase the package fee for pilgrims for the Easter Pilgrimage considering the cost and the season in Israel during the period, had to reduce the number of days from the usual 10nights and 11 days to 8nights and 9 days.

    The Commission by the grace of God recorded both zero abscondment and zero mortality rate for pilgrims throughout the exercise.

    The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), having successfully ended the second edition of its Easter Pilgrimage Exercise which in all ramifications is adjudged to be much better organized and executed than the maiden edition of 2012; it is therefore obvious that it is possible to have two pilgrimages in one calendar year and this will be sustained as the Commission will continue to strive for excellence and improve upon its service for the Nigerian Pilgrims.

    The last batch of pilgrims from the Holy Land were made up of about 138 pilgrims from Bayelsa and about 38 were self sponsored pilgrims and Consular Officers.

  • The Past Beckons

    The National Museum in Esie, Kwara State is the oldest in Nigeria. It is also reputed to have the highest collection of soapstone images in Africa. Soapstones are soft rocks which were used for many generations in different parts of the world for carving and making of household utensils.

    The museum was established in 1945 by the colonial government to house about 1,500 soapstone images brought to the limelight in 1933 by one Inspector for the Oro area under the Church Missionary Society, Mr. H.G. Ramshaw.

    At the museum, tourists have the opportunity to see some figurines that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The access to the museum for members of the public has been difficult due to the location of the museum and bad roads.

    But those who are able to brace these odds are rewarded with having the opportunity to see these rare artifacts.

    Getting to Esie, one gets a vehicle from Osogbo, the Osun State capital, or from Ofa which is even closer to the town.

    Although the Esie museum is rich in artifacts, it is suffering neglect. This has reduced to the minimal the number  of tourists to the place.

    Professor Bolanle Awe spoke on that: “Even though many people may not realize the importance of what we have there, others do, and I would readily cite the example of Gen. Yakubu Gowon when he came there in the 70s. He was so excited by what he saw that he gave the instruction that the road to the museum should be tarred so that people would have easy access to the place.

    “After that, the military did try in its own way to do something about the museum. Thereafter, there had also been other people who had shown recognition like the late Prof. Ade Obayemi. He was a historian and Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM). He was very enthusiastic about refurbishing the museum, but unfortunately he could not actualize what he wanted to do before he died.”

    The people  decided to come up with  a festival as a way offering visitors to the town the opportunity to experience the culture of the people.

    Awe spoke on this: “When we decided to start the Esie Monuments Festival, Dr. Eluyemi, who was the Director-General of the NCMM, then showed so much enthusiasm. One of the events we always had was the seminar to discuss the significance on an intellectual basis, of the museum, what did it connote for the culture of the people. And it was such an interesting thing.

    “The fact is that as far back as the period before 1775, people were able to carve those images out of stones. They must have had knowledge of a lot of things-knowledge of carving, knowledge of hewing stones and knowledge of all sorts. They must have had quite a high level of technology to be able to do that.

    “These were some of the things that we also wanted to highlight and Eluyemi was very keen on that. He actually came the very first time to deliver a paper and promised us a lot of support, but unfortunately he died suddenly as well.

    “During one of the editions of the Esie Monuments Festival that we had, the minister in charge of culture sent his representative. The Director-General of the NCMM also came. So, they all showed interest in the Esie Monuments Festival and we feel that the way forward is for us to sustain that interest.

    “That is why we have the Esie Monuments Festival Committee to focus attention on the museum to make the international community know about it.

    “We are already working on the idea of having a website where we would further focus attention on the Esie National Museum, look at some of the items there, talk about the history , talk about even the community there and how that community came to produce something that is so interesting.

    “The Esie festival  is still on course. The only problem is that the organizing committee is having some little challenges which it is battling to surmount.

    “The committee set up and saddled with the responsibility is still working on modalities to have a befitting festival this year, precisely next month. It is not the problem of the members of the committee alone, but they have to move in terms of mobilizing the community to support them to understand what they are doing.

    “Also for the people living outside the community and in the Diaspora to show interest in the festival will definitely take some time. There is also the factor of money. The members of the committee have been dipping their hands into their pockets to finance the activities of the committee. It does not mean that the interest has waned or that the interest is no longer there. They are just trying to take their time to see that they come out with something worthwhile.

    “Let me also inform you that the committee was established by concerned culture patriots of Esie origin with the primary purposes of ensuring the preservation, protection and projection of all Esie cultural heritages for the economic benefit of the people, Kwara State and the country. One of the platforms by which we seek to carry out this task is this annual Esie Monuments Festival which is premised on the first ever National Museum in the country.”

    She also spoke about the Esie monuments: “This is where we have the first museum set up by the government. It was established because of what the white men saw there, more so that it really fascinated them. Unfortunately, we don’t have information as to how the stone images got there. Well, there are all sorts of theories about how they got there, but I don’t think I will be competent to speak about it because my colleagues who have been working on that are the ones one can regard as the authorities on the Esie soapstone images.

    “Some have said that the people came from Ife, others said they came from Oyo North, some have said there are other figures like these in some neighbouring towns which seem to suggest that perhaps there was a community there which was highly developed technologically. But how they came to assemble there is still a mystery that people have not been able to solve.

    “Of course, the local people have their own suggestions on how they came about, how an oba went out when he was not supposed to go out and for punishment his people were turned into stone images. That is a way of explaining it. This mystery accounts for why we decided to be holding the yearly festival. Second, we have lots of tourism potential and it has been generating some revenue for quite a while. So, the tourism potential has been there for a long time and I think what we need to do now is to beef it up to actually encourage people to come.

    “This is an area where the media can be of great help to us by letting people know what we are doing and inviting them to come. The community is already putting in place the infrastructure for tourism. You will note that there is now a hotel where people can stay and where they can have something to eat.

    “Some years ago, some of us women wanted to have chalets, a small canteen and small shops, but we didn’t quite make it. Then, there was somebody else who had a play ground for children there. So, the potential is there. It is just a question of getting support in the right places and we are happy that the Elesie himself sees it as his own and has been giving tremendous support.”

  • Becan Garden begins operation

    The Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has been urged to beef up security, improve power supply and open more intra-community roads in the state.

    If this is done, it will further enhance tourism in Lagos while also encouraging free movement of Lagosians across the state without fear of arrest, intimidation, kidnapping or killing.

    Chairman, Becan Garden/Suites,Okota, Chief Donatus Nwanfor, made this appeal at the formal opening of the hotel located at Ariyo Akinloye , Jakande Estate, Isolo, penultimate Saturday.

    Commending Governor Fashola on good leadership in the state, especially in the area infrastructural development, Chief Nwanfor said Ariyo Akinloye where the hotel is located is an eyesore, adding that if opened up, it would be more accessible to all prospective lovers of tourism, thereby increasing government’s revenue base.

    He said: “I would like to call on the government of Lagos State to come to our aid by accelerating the road construction which is very expedient for a hotel-tourism venture to thrive. Security is another problem. Without it, clients will not feel safe within the area. Sustainable power supply is also a factor in tourism management.”

    In the presence of friends, guests, hotel owners and traditional singers, Nwafor said Becan Gardens and Suites had come to take its rightful place in the tourism industry with the one of the best services to clients.

    Assuring all that the new tourist centre would bring peace and success in Okota community and its environs, Nwafor further said the management of the hotel would cooperate with the people and the public in ensuring best customer service.

    Earlier, supervisor of Becan Garden, Miss Obidike Onyinye, said the official opening was to show appreciation to God for the completion of the project and to “bring to public notice the kind of world-class quality services that we provide trough our good facilities.”

    According to her, each room is equipped with a flat screen TV with free channels, refrigerator, internet wireless, bath tub, and well-stocked mini bar.

    Other facilities are: word desk, complimentary daily newspaper and centralized heating air conditioning, among others.

    “You don’t need to travel overseas before you can have a wonderful vacation. Give us a trial. I am proud to say that a trial will convince you. Our vision is to be a leading continental hotel. We guarantee your privacy and safety, Oyinye added.

  • Nyanya, Karyn White for Easter show

    This Easter celebration is set to be an unforgettable one for fun lovers as La Campagne Tropicana, Beach Resort Ikegun, Lagos State has put together a package to cater for every category of guests.

    The package tagged Easter and More is a mixture of music, beach fun and culinary experience. Top artistes like Nyanya, Karyn White of the United States of America, Afe Onikoko and other local artistes are expected to perform at the beach resort.

    Outside these, the beach offers opportunity for nature walk on the mangrove forest and the beach front.

    The Chief Executive of the resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, said: “As our tradition, La Campagne will once again offer exquisite experience.

    He said: “The Easter festivities will kick off on Good Friday when the guests are expected to start coming in for the weekend of fun. Activities for the first day will include dance aerobic, swimming, canoeing and many other outdoor sporting activities. There will also be a mini-carnival in which people will parade on the beach front to dance of good music.”

    La Campagne Tropicana is the nation’s leading beach resort with the state-of-the-art facilities for sports and other forms of relaxation.

  • The allure of Oba Ileriji

    The allure of Oba Ileriji

    The receding evening sun was partially hidden by a dark cloudy sky, but not completely as its dark golden glow splashed over the beach fronts, giving it a yellowish hue. The breeze whistled gently sweeping across the coconut trees. The coconut fronts bowed at the touch of the cool breeze as if in reverence to a deity.

    Being intimate with nature has always been a key lure of La Campagne Tropicana, Ikegun. Currently, the romance with nature has gone a notch further with the introduction of a new concept, the Oba Ilerigi (Tree House) range of nature’s suites. It is an audacious new concept in luxury suites that combines modern luxury and the Ijaw primeval architectural design.

    Further from this local flavour, the world over, the concept of sustainable tourism in destinations has become very imperative.

    Sustainable tourism has been described as tourism that minimizes the costs and maximizes the benefits of tourism for natural environments and local communities, and can be carried out indefinitely without harming the resources on which it depends.

    Tourism is one of the largest global industries, with much of the growing market focused around pristine natural environments such as coastal and marine protected areas. Sustainable tourism is deliberately planned to benefit local residents, respect local culture, conserve natural resources, direct more of the profits to the local community and the investors. This is where the new concept of the Tree House accommodation facilities at La Campagne Tropicana Resort scores the bull’s eye.

    Oba Ilerigi is built on about eight wooden sticks, about six feet high that carries the house. Just under the house is a small swimming pool. The swimming pool sides are demarcated by sliced trunks of coconut trees which are in abundance on the Lagos beach front.

    The stairs to the Tree House is also made of slices of wood. The dry stems of small trees serve as part of the staircase. They turn golden in colour as the shaft of the late evening sun cascades on them.

    At the entrance to the house is gangan (Yoruba drum). On the right is a mini-balcony with wooden stools and tables. One could sit here and watch the sun recede and gradually welcome the night that would immediately cast its spell on the earth.

    One could also watch the ocean water in its monotonous crashing on the shore and then receding to repeat the same again.

    The floor is made of wood with an overlay of marble. A six-by-six bed is at the centre of the tree house. The interior décor is purely African. There is a clean modern bathroom and a toilet. The rest room is also built with the bamboo. The house has a thatch helping to cool the inside.

    Although close to 70 per cent of the content of the Tree House is locally sourced from the area, things like the bathroom and toilet are imported. The design of the house is such that it has huge, wide windows overlooking the ocean.

    Dr. Wanle Akinboboye, the founder of La Campagne Tropicana, said of Oba Ilerigi. “Its materials and the builders are from this community and I am indeed very pleased with this development.

    “My joy is that more of it will be built in the nearest future and replicated across Africa. This would no doubt lead to more jobs and opportunities for the entire community where the facilities are made.”

    It is located at Ikegun Village, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, a distance of an hour from the bustling of Lagos. It’s a land of palm-fringed, white sandy beaches where time slows down in sync with the rhythm of the waves that gently laps the shore.

    At the resort, you may choose between a dip in the refreshing surf of the Atlantic Ocean on your left or the placid water of fresh water lake on your right. Or simply dive into a book while remaining firmly on the golden sands in between.

    La Campagne Tropicana is the type of resort you dream about, but never realise it is right at your doorstep. Yet, for those lucky enough to have discovered it, this is the tropical getaway that allows you to escape the stress of city life and breathe again.

    As you stroll along the beach, sipping a cocktail at sunset or enjoy the nightly entertainment, you’ll have to remind yourself that you’re still in Nigeria. It is on 65 acres of expansive lawns, scented tropical gardens, mysterious savannah and cool mangrove forests that give La Campagne its unique ambience.

    The rooms and villas mix traditional African architecture and furnishings with all the modern conveniences you would expect in a well-appointed resort, including air conditioner, hot water and room service.

    The view outside your window may look Caribbean, but it is distinctly African inside – with cool circular rooms, high ceilings, basket-woven chairs, traditional fabrics and locally hand-made furniture in dark, polished mahogany.

    For those in search of the authentic African experience, the Oba Ilerigi experience is the ultimate in the sense that it combines the adventure with pure luxury. While one is indulging in the adventure of living on a tree top for a change, comfort and luxury are not by any means sacrifice.

    The house is part of the wider Nigeria’s top leisure resort, La Campagne. During this Easter it might not be out of tune to take a break and head for the resort. It is about 100 kilometres from Lagos. From Lagos, one would take the Lekki-Epe Expressway and then go to the right at the Akodo junction and then head to Akodo, passing also the Lagos Export Processing Zone and Lekki town. Ikegun is towards the end of the long stretch of the expressway. Although is quite a journey getting there, but the one could be rest assured the experience would be worth the trouble.

    At the resort, guests have many options to choose from, ranging from spacious standard rooms, doubles or villas, all with en-suite bathrooms and gorgeous objects that decorate every interior.

    Without doubt, the resort lively bars have on parade vibrant performances of talented artistes. Each night unveils music, dance and comedy of surprising quality, honed to perfection.

    Over the years, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort has continuously offered an assortment of packages and deals for family getaways, romantic escapes and group discounts.

    For no one to be left out, the management of the resort created a bespoke experience for every guest’s or visitor’s requirements and ensuring that both corporate and private events go without a hitch.

    Despite all these array of leisure options to choose from, Oba Ilerigi is still the ultimate experience.

  • NCPC boss tasks church leaders on pilgrimage

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara, has tasked church leaders and the privileged few in the church to encourage dedicated church workers by sponsoring them on holy pilgrimage.

    He disclosed this recently in Abuja during the 19th annual synod of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Abuja diocese.

    Mr. Opara, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, was represented by the Chaplain of the NCPC, Rev. Ayodele Jato.

    The NCPC boss congratulated the church on their synod which he said was timely in view of the numerous social ills plaguing the peaceful co-existence of the country.

    He described the synod as an opportunity provided by the church to “reflect, brainstorm and project on the spirituality of its existence and the way forward for the church”.

    Consequently, he called on the church leaders to pray against everything that is affecting the country negatively.

    The NCPC helmsman stressed that pilgrimage should be for those who are spiritually rich, but materially poor. Thus, he admonished the church leaders and wealthy Christians to encourage and sponsor Christians on holy pilgrimage, especially those who cannot afford the cost of pilgrimage.

    He equally stated that the era of government sponsoring pilgrims was over as the commission now emphasizes self- sponsorship.

    He said “the commission now operates biannual pilgrimages- October-December and March- April in one calendar year.

    He explained that the Easter pilgrimage, which was flagged off on February 28, would be rounded off on April 1.

  • Lagos Water Regatta holds tomorrow

    Lagos State will come alive tomorrow with troupes from all over the state when the state holds the fourth edition of its annual Lagos Water Regatta.

    A statement from the organizing committee, signed by its Chairman, Olusegun Jawando, said the Lagos Water Regatta is an annual water-based cultural sporting and recreational activity put together to showcase what the various coastal communities have to offer in terms of water sport, cultural beauty and aquatic splendour.

    Jawando said Lagos Water Regatta was planned to coincide with the Easter, and it was meant to energize the tranquil nature of the Lagos Island waterfront during the festival

    The event, jawando said, was part of the activities lined up to celebrate the 2013 edition of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, adding that the regatta was a private sector-led initiative with support from the organized private sector and the state government to promote the tourism potential of the state.

    “The Lagos Water Regatta was conceived as a means to preserve our socio-cultural sporting heritage in water sports, traditional games and other ways of exploiting the water for human social needs. Above all, we are using the annual Lagos Water Regatta to promote the state into the global tourism destination map”, Jawando said.

    The Chairman disclosed that the Regatta will consist of large fishing boats, ferries, water lightening, barges and other marine vessels adorned with each depicting the social, cultural, traditional folklores and occupational aspects of the Lagos people.

    “There will be a parade of floats and canoes with traditional, cultural and social troupes from all communities within the state,” he said.

    Jawando explained that Lagosians will be treated to a pot-pouri of quality fun and entertainment at the Regatta Village, situated at the waterfront area on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, adding that the theme for Water Regtta still remains the same “Splash the excitement”

    “While all activities will take place on the water, there will be a lot of side attractions taking place at the Regatta Village. There is going to be a children’s fun park, music concert pavilion, rib cracking comedy, live artiste performance and disc jockey raves.

    “In terms of security, adequate provision has been made with the navy, police and ambulance boats. We are going to have participation from LASWA, all boat clubs in Lagos, boat and ferry operators in Lagos and representatives of riverside communities in Lagos”, he said.

  • Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel fetes customers

    Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel fetes customers

    Southern Sun Ikoyi Hotel, Ikoyi is putting together a special Easter package for its guests-individuals, couples and families.

    According to the hotel, the essence of the special Easter package is to offer its guests the opportunity to experience a pleasant stay at discounted rates without compromising the usual high quality service rendered.

    The package would run from March 29 to April 1 .

    Mark Loxley, the hotel’s General Manager, said: “For all our in-house guests who love sea food, the Friday sea food dinner buffet would come with a 20% discount. Not forgetting the 20% discount that comes with the popular Special Easter Sunday brunch with in-house guests enjoying priority table reservation’’.

    He further added that guests could upgrade to executive rooms as well as enjoy early check- in and late check- out privileges upon availability.

    “Guests who stay within that period are also automatically entitled to the hotel’s frequent hotel loyalty programme,” he said.

     

  • ICAO, UNWTO to co-operate on aviation

    The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and UNWTO have signed a special joint statement on aviation and tourism, acknowledging the intention of the two UN agencies to begin cooperating more closely on issues of common priority.

    The statement was signed by ICAO Secretary General, Raymond Benjamin, and UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, on the occasion of the official opening of the ICAO Sixth Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf/6).

    Visa facilitation, taxation, the modernization of aviation regulations and the development of convergent rules for traveller and enterprise protection were stressed in the statement as key areas for improved collaboration.

    “Separate sectorial policies on air transport and tourism result in a fundamental, and too often even conflicting disconnect which constitutes a severe constraint on the development of travel and tourism.

    “The signing of this statement, therefore, represents a defining moment – one which can set air transport and tourism on a common path on matters of shared concern with considerable mutual benefit,”Mr Rifai said.

    More than one billion tourists crossed international borders during 2012, over half of who travelled by air to their destinations. The total number of international tourists, which includes both business and leisure travellers, is expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030.

    “Based on ICAO’s latest forecasts, aircraft departures are forecast to grow from 30 million to 60 million by 2030,” noted ICAO’s Benjamin.

    “These figures support the UNWTO’s tourism projections and highlight how important it is that our organizations continue to address air transport system capacity and related challenges today, in order to maximize the economic development aspects of air transport and tourism tomorrow,”Benjamin said.

    Additional areas outlined for future cooperation by ICAO and the UNWTO included air passenger flow management at airports, air capacity for least developed countries and the continued reduction of environmental impacts resulting from international air travel and tourism. Due consideration will be maintained on the importance of air transport to tourism development in long-haul destinations and landlocked or island states.

    Benjamin and Rifai concluded their ceremony by jointly highlighting the considerable contributions of aviation and tourism to raise employment, fuel economic growth and social development.

    Together, their organizations will now be focusing on addressing existing obstacles to aviation and tourism growth as to ensure both sectors continue to contribute in a sustainable manner to global prosperity.

  • Bombardier, Ethiopian Airlines on intra-Africa travel

    Pierre Beaudoin, Group President and Chief Executive Officer of Bombardier Inc., held extensive discussions with Ethiopian CEO Tewolde Gebremariam and other senior executive management members regarding Ethiopian successful Q400 NextGen aircraft operations.

    The two companies are working to enhance their already strong and mutually beneficial relationship, in view of the expected high growth of regional intra-Africa travel in the coming years.

    With its fleet of 13 Q400 NextGen aircraft, Ethiopian is the largest operator of the Bombardier-manufactured Q400 aircraft in Africa, deploying the aircraft in domestic and regional operations. The airline recently phased-in five new Q400 NextGen aircraft that were the first outfitted with a dual-class configuration on Bombardier’s production line. With seven fully dedicated business class seats, a second lavatory and hot meal capability, Ethiopian is able to offer more services to its customers. Ethiopian plans to reconfigure its existing fleet of Q400 aircraft with a fully dedicated business class.

    “We are very happy with the performance of the Q400 NextGen aircraft in our domestic and regional operations.

    “The regional intra-Africa travel is set to boom in the coming years and we see a bright future for our relationship with Bombardier. In line with our Vision 2025 strategic roadmap, we will need more regional aircraft, not just to cater for our own fast-growing domestic and regional network, but also to realize our multi-hub strategy in Africa. Already, we have a strong regional partner in West Africa ASKY, which is also using the Q400 aircraft. We plan to build similar strong regional hubs in Southern and Central Africa,”said Mr Tewolde.

    “Having the right fleet with commonality, optimal range, load and passenger comfort will be critical to be competitive in this market. We look forward to working with Bombardier to expand our mutually beneficial relationship in the coming years,” added Mr. Gebremariam.

    “Africa has significant growth potential over the next 20 years and is an important part of Bombardier’s globalization strategy.

    “We are excited about the opportunities for expanding business and commercial aviation in the region and look forward to working with leading carriers like Ethiopian to develop the market fully,”Mr Beaudoin said.