The Nation Newspaper

Tag: KLM

  • Ogun : KLM commends Amosun on zoning

    Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, and a major actor in the politics of Yewa-Awori area in the state, Chief  Kolawole Lawal Mobolorunduro  (KLM), has commended the state Governor, Senator  Ibikunle  Amosun,  for  giving  the people  of  Ogun  West Senatorial district comprising Yewa and Awori areas,  the rare opportunity to produce the next governor of the state come 2019.

    The Commissioner, who is also the Adele Oba of Oke Odanland, regretted that since the creation of the state in 1976, the people of the zone have   been marginalized   in   respect  to   governance  at   the  centre,  leading   to stagnant growth of the area. The commissioner opined that the pronouncement by the governor would put   an   end   to   various   agitations   by   the   people   of   the   district   adding   that‘’producing the next governor of the state in 2019 would bring an end to the era of neglect just as our people will begin to enjoy the dividend of democracy we all fought for’’.

    KLM said:“Governor Ibikunle Amosun has written his name in gold by coming up with his declaration that only a credible candidate from YewaAwori will succeed him come 2019. Our people will never forget him for takingthis bold step.

    ‘’Let me take you down memory lane. In 1979, Chief Bisi Onabanjo from Ijebu won  the  governorship election  on  the platform of  Unity Party  of  Nigeria(UPN). He was represented by the party in 1983 and won again. An Egba man, Chief Segun Osoba succeeded Onabanjo in 1993. He returned in 1999 under AD as the Executive governor of the state.

    In 2003, Gbenga Daniel came in through the PDP from  Remo and he ruled   for  eight   years   beforeSenator Amosu took over power in 2011.”

  • Five Nigerian entertainers make first KLM ‘Celebs Around Town’ tour

    Five Nigerian entertainers make first KLM ‘Celebs Around Town’ tour

    Five Nigerian celebrities have hinged their summer holiday trips on Royal Dutch Airline’s destination hype initiative tagged KLM ‘Celebs Around Town’.

    The five celebs, in joining what may evolve into a series of summer holiday experiences, will be visiting some notable cities in Europe and America from where they are expected to connect to their hordes of fans on new discoveries.

    They include comedian turned filmmaker Ayo Makun, aka AY, who will be going to London; Urban Highlife singer Adekunle Gold who will be visiting Manchester; Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw who will be visiting Rome for the first time; Kannywood  actress Rahama Sadau and ace filmmaker Kunle Afolayan who will be jetting to Berlin and New York respectively.

    With these journeys, which will be filmed by Golden Effects Productions and aired daily by HipTV, KLM will be introducing and highlighting some destinations in Europe and America to its esteemed clients, in what could be tagged journeys of inspirations.

    To make this interesting and interactive, the celebs are expected to engage fans via their different social media platforms, by showcasing the most interesting sights and hang-outs in the cities they visit through video posts and live interactive sessions, also on KLM’s social media platform.

    Speaking during the unveiling of the initiative in Lagos, Commercial Director, Air France KLM Nigeria & Ghana, Mr. Arthur Dieffenthaler said, “KLM’s global ambition is to be the most innovative customer oriented network carrier in the world, hence we always aim to put our customers first.  In KLM Nigeria we have asked ourselves the question “ How can we translate this into a Nigerian context?  In order to do this, we have selected five individuals who we believe really embody these ambitions.  They are innovative, and have a good relationship with their fans. I am sure this would be a unique experience not only for the celebs travelling but also for their fans”

    The Dutch carrier was founded in 1919, making it the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name. In 2004, it merged with Air France to form AIR FRANCE KLM. The merger produced the strongest European airline group based on two powerful brands and hubs – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Retaining its own identity, the group focuses on three core businesses: passenger transport, cargo and aircraft maintenance.

    KLM is a member of the global SkyTeam airline alliance, offering customers an extensive worldwide network. The KLM network connects the Netherlands to every important economic region in the world and, as such, serves as a powerful driver for the economy.

    The airline’s strong tie to Nigerian entertainment scene is through its partner, Air France, of which filmmaker Kunle Afolayan is a brand ambassador.

     

  • Marketing Nigeria with KLM ‘Celebs Around Town’

    Marketing Nigeria with KLM ‘Celebs Around Town’

    Adekunle Gold is known to promote the African attire through his dress sense and music. Kunle Afolayan too, has undoubtedly promoted African languages, foods, attires and lots more in his award-winning films, just as AY’s hit movies are themed on how local characters triumph in foreign lands.

    AS KLM introduces journeys of inspirations to its esteemed clients through the “Celebs Around Town” campaign this summer, the Royal Dutch Airlines in partnership with Air France has showed its regard for the Nigerian market. Hence, driving this campaign for the entire Africa, are notable Nigerian entertainers whose experiences in some destinations in Europe and the United States of America will pave the way for others.

    Through anticipated interactions with their huge followers on social media platforms, these artistes which include singer Adekunle Gold, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw, Kannywood actress Rahama Sadau, comedian Ayo Makun, aka AY, and rave-of-the-moment filmmaker Kunle Afolayan will be showcasing the most interesting sights and hang-outs in the cities they visit through video posts and live interactive sessions on KLM’s social media platform as well as theirs.

    The journey that begins on June 2, 2017 starts with AY who will be exploring London, to be followed by Adekunle Gold in Manchester; Kate Henshaw in Rome; Rahama Sadau in Berlin, and Kunle Afolayan in New York.

    In what seems like a reality show to debut on HipTV through daily recap of the celebrities’ holiday experiences, it is expected that this relationship with KLM and Air France will be explored maximally by taking Nigerian cultures to these destinations in a stylish way.

    KLM wants to be the most innovative customer-oriented carrier, hence the choice of these set of artistes who in the words of Arthur Dieffenthaler, Commercial Director, Air France KLM Nigeria & Ghana, embody innovations and style.

    He said: “KLM’s global ambition is to be the most innovative customer oriented network carrier in the world, hence we always aim to put our customers first.  In KLM Nigeria we have asked ourselves the question “How can we translate this into a Nigerian context?  In order to do this, we have selected five individuals who we believe really embody these ambitions.  They are innovative, and have a good relationship with their fans. I am sure this would be a unique experience not only for the celebs travelling but also for their fans”

    These artistes who I also have great regards for are tourism ambassadors in their own rights, and there is no doubt they will bring Nigeria to the front burner, as they interact with the world.

    Kate Henshaw showed a trait of what is to be expected, spotting an Ankara top, during the unveiling of this initiative to the media at the Air France Office, Lagos, on Thursday. Hausa language actress Rahama is every bit a Northern Nigerian diva whose elegance oozes with style. Adekunle Gold is known to promote the African attire through his dress sense and music. Kunle Afolayan too, has undoubtedly promoted African languages, foods, attires and lots more in his award-winning films, just as AY’s hit movies are themed on how local characters triumph in foreign lands.

    In tasking them to do more for Nigeria at this time when our tourism industry is in dire need of patronage, they should market our fabrics in the best possible ways and help to identify notable Nigerian food spots and entertainment rendezvous for potential travelers.

    In addition to the tourist attractions in these cities, we would like to see who the Nigerian artiste making us proud in some of these cities are, who the Nigerian entrepreneurs in Europe and America are, and so on and so forth.

    In bringing these cities to their numerous fans, they should showcase the impacts of Nigerians and Nigerian communities in those cities as well.

  • Day Jakande, Tinubu, others wished KLM 70 gbosas

    Day Jakande, Tinubu, others wished KLM 70 gbosas

    The book’s title speaks volumes: The Balogun Institution in Yorubaland: Changing Fortunes of a Military Institution. Its presentation was in honour of a former Commissioner of Lagos State, Chief Lanre Razak ( also known as KLM), who turned 70 on Sunday. Razak is Balogun General of Epe.

    The book, edited by two historians, Oluwasegun Jimoh and Philip Oloruntola, situates the Balogun debate, tracing the influence of the Balogun in the pre-colonial era to date.

    The event, which took place at the MUSON Centre, Lagos was witnessed by former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande and his wife Abimbola. The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by a former Minister of Defence, Demola Seriki. Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Senator Ganiyu Olawale Solomon, past chairman, Lagos Mainland Local Government, Chief Tayo Oyemade, Chief Biodun Martins and past Chairman of Island Club,  Prince Ademola Dada were also present.

    Also at the event were former Lagos State Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Hon Sikiru Adebayo Osinowo and Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, among others.

    Razak, who is the President of Epe Club, said: “I feel happy and fulfilled. I thank God for being kind to me. It has been a journey of 70 years and I don’t have any regret. I think it is good to leave a record, if you don’t put down record, people will never know you passed through it.

    “I know I’m going to pass away in that biological sequence and I know the book will remain for long. Those who come across the book in future, will know one Balogun chose to collate record; history of what Balogun was, what Balogun should be and what the future should look like.

    “As a community leader, the role the activists play at ensuring that there is good governance, nobody is cheated, fundamental human rights are allowed, those are the kind of things Balogun should do since we don’t have a war situation where you try to expand your territory. Baloguns should see themselves as frontliners when it comes to fighting for the rights of the people.

    “In those days Obas were in government while Baloguns were the military. Now, it is the president that is in charge and we have the ministry of defence and the generals and we are in the background. We can only encourage and pass information to them to be able to do their job.

    “We must educate our people and sensitise them and at the time, criticise the government; but it must be constructive. These are the roles of Baloguns now, defenders of people’s rights from time to time and must assist for good governance. The enabling environment then is no longer there now. What the Balogun should be doing is in the book, it is good for scholars and students of History.”

    In a lecture, a Professor of Islamic Affairs, Afis Ayinde Oladosu of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, who spoke on the topic “Leadership in the Season of Change”,  said: “What the scions of contemporary Nigerian politics, such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu actually did in the days leading to the last elections was to play the role of the chief. They guided the huge energy in the Nigerian masses to that in which lay their fortune.”

    He added: “Put differently, leaders in the season of change in this country would likely agree with the proposition that the phenomenon of change happened on the Nigerian landscape simply because the ordinary masses were ready to act as change agents; that ordinary Nigerians are de facto custodians, not passive onlookers in power-politics.

    “Before the season of change, one thing over which Nigerians were unanimous about was that this nation lacked a leader who would and could inspire it. It felt as if we were short of heroes. To say Nigeria is a land without heroes is to bring to mind Aeschylus, the great Greek philosopher who posited that the land without a hero is a very unhappy land indeed.”

    He expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari would meet the people’s aspirations.

    Tinubu said Nigerian leaders in the past few years were operating on parochial interests.

    Tinubu added that with the advent of APC’s leadership under Buhari, a change to revitalise the economy and bring infrastructure to world-class standard would be witnessed. He believes the President possesses the right qualities to reposition the country.

  • 250 KLM passengers stranded at Lagos airport

    250 KLM passengers stranded at Lagos airport

    Over 250 passengers of KLM Airlines heading to Europe and other destinations across the world were stranded for almost 48 hours, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, (MMIA) Lagos, following a technical fault developed by the airline’s aircraft on Thursday night.

    Some of the passengers who spoke with The Nation were apprehensive that they might not meet up with their appointments, as they alleged that the management of the airline was not communicating with them after they were checked into a hotel at Amuwo-Odofin area of the state.

    One of the affected passengers who simply identified himself as Chris, told our correspondent that they had already boarded before the airline’s crew informed them that they would not be departing Lagos as arranged due to technical fault developed by the aircraft, adding that they were disembarked at 11pm and later taken to the hotel.

    Though, he agreed that their inability to travel as scheduled because of the technical fault was in line with international best practices, he lamented that none of the officials of the airline had since Thursday, told them when they would depart the country to their various destinations.

    He said: “Apart from checking us into the hotel, none of us was given ordinary refreshments as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO). Such maltreatment would not have happened in Europe and other countries.”

    Chris, who claimed that he was on his way to New York for a conference scheduled to hold between today and Monday expressed doubts about meeting up with the event which he said was crucial to his professional advancement.

    Threatening  to press for the refund of his money, he said: “It is sad that these people are treating us this way in our own country. We were supposed to have travelled since Thursday and up till now, there is no information about our departure. There ought to be a helpdesk for passengers through which we could communicate with the airline’s officials  but they did not provide that.

    “To make matters worse, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) that is even supposed to protect us is not doing anything about our plights. We are just like displaced people here. People are angry and hungry here because there is no provision for dinner for us as I am talking to you now. They can’t do this in Europe or elsewhere because  they would pay heavy compensation. It is unfortunate that they come here and get away with so many atrocities without any protection for the flying public the relevant government bodies. They appear not to understand that it is not all of us that are going to Amsterdam. A number of us are going to the United States of America and   other destinations in Europe.”

    When our correspondent contacted the spokesman for NCAA, Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, he promised to contact the Customer Protection Directorate of the agency for more information, but as at the time of filing this report, he was yet to do so.

    The spokesman of KLM could not however be reached as at the time of filing this report for comments.

  • Travelstart, KLM partner to launch campaign

    Travelstart, KLM partner to launch campaign

    Travelstart.com.ng, an online travel agency in Nigeria, has developed a partnership with KLM to organize a marketing campaign with the aim to increase awareness and to promote flights booking and destinations KLM flies to.

    During this campaign, KLM will be rewarding travel consumers with some travel incentives, including free round trip tickets to Amsterdam, visa procurement assistance to Holland and free hotel accommodation for the lucky winner.

    Travelstart Nigeria has distribution rights to sell KLM tickets, which can be booked through its website. KLM, also known as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines operates more than 200 aircraft and serves more than 130 destinations. Travelstart said customers can  access KLM flights on its website; this, they say, has made flight booking online even more convenient for Nigerians travelling to France, Amsterdam, Paris and other destinations KLM flies to.

    The KLM/Travelstart marketing campaign which started in April, 2015, draws on marketing strategies to promote KLM flights and destinations to Nigeria travel consumers, to provide broader brand visibility and increase database for both brands. The campaign is in two phases; the first phase ran for two weeks and gave successful results – increased conversions and leads. During the first phase, Travelstart’s followers and fans were asked trivial questions about KLM on their social media platform; winners were picked randomly and awarded some gifts. The campaign made its online debut with an extension on Travelstart Nigeria homepage, www.travelstart.com.ng and on Facebook.com/TravelstartNigeria.

    The second phase of the campaign will begin on the 25th of May and end on the 14th of June, 2015; it entails a travel competition where Nigerians can submit their names and email addresses to be entered for the competition.

    Speaking about the campaign, Lilian Obinna-Igwe, Country Manager of Travelstart Nigeria, said, “We are happy to partner with KLM and we appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this campaign, without question this partnership is beneficial to us, apart from giving out to Nigerian, it helps us to promote KLM flights and destinations to Nigerians.

    “ We are confident this partnership will cement the already existing relationship Travelstart Nigeria has with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and we also look forward to more collaboration with them going forward”

    The second phase of the campaign will be promoted through all marketing channels including social media from the partners. With all these resources in place, the campaign will reach more people within a short period of time.