Delta Air Lines transports 89,000 passengers from Nigeria to US in 2017

United States carrier, Delta Air Lines, on Wednesday said it transported 377,000 passengers from Africa to the US in 2017, with 89,000 of the passengers from Nigeria.

Mr Corneel Koster, Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, Delta Air Lines, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Lagos on the airline’s recent launch of direct flights between Lagos and New York.

Koster said the airline was targeting a 36 per cent increase in its Nigerian operations this year.

He said the airline, which also operates flights to Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Gambia, was also targeting a 10 per cent increase in the African market in 2018.

“Delta has launched a new nonstop service from Lagos to New York-JFK, linking the financial capital of Nigeria to the financial capital of the world.

“The New York-JFK route complements the airline’s existing flight to Atlanta, providing a daily departure and more travel choice to the US than ever before,” he said.

The new route, according to him, underscores the airline’s commitment to the market by facilitating trade and commerce between both nations.

He said the airline was proud of its 10-year history in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Mr Bobby Bryan, Delta Air Lines Director, West, East and Lusophone Africa, said Lagos was the airline’s largest base of operation in Africa.

” The World Bank forecasts a 2.5 per cent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Nigeria in 2018.

“We believe that there is a positive trend in the Nigerian economy and it makes a lot of sense to connect Lagos to New York because both cities have high volume of businesses,” Bryan said.

He said the New York-JFK flight would operate three times weekly, with Delta’s existing services to Atlanta departing on the other four days.

Bryan said that the flights from Lagos to New York would be operated using a 234-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft in order to ensure the safety and comfort of travellers.

Dana Air Bags 3 Awards at NIGAV

Dana Air has been announced as the airline of the year 2017, at the 8th edition of the Nigerian Aviation Awards and Presidential Dinner, held recently at the Oriental Hotel Lagos. 

 

The airline’s CEO,Jacky Hathiramani, Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa also bagged the CEO of the year, and Aviation Corporate Promotions Personality of the year 2017 awards respectively, while the airline’s crew members; Collins Ginika and Chiogo Okani, won the King and Queen of the Air contest at the event.  

 

The king and queen of the air contest is a newly- introduced initiative by the organizers of the NIGAV awards, where the various domestic airlines' crew get to answer questions on how they handle safety issues, ensure comfort of passengers  and how to be a good crew member. 

 

The duo from Dana Air, also performed their first assignment at the event by presenting cash gifts to an orphanage present at the event.  

They have also become ambassadors of the NIGAV awards and will represent the industry at various aviation events for their intelligent display at the awards and mastery of civil aviation regulations 

 

The Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, who received the award  on behalf of the airline said," we thank the organizers of the Nigerian Aviation Awards for recognizing our efforts towards providing safe, reliable and affordable air transport in Nigeria, and  we wish to assure our guests of our unwavering commitment towards maintaining our standards and upping the ante on all fronts.''

 

On the CEO of the year award, Ezenwa said" a big thank you to all those who voted our indefatigable CEO, Mr Jacky Hathiramani. 

"Our CEO is a detribalised Nigerian and one who believes in the maxim - slow and steady wins the race. His managerial acumen is second to none, and doesn't believe in noise making but doing things right and creatively too." 

 

Speaking further on Dana Air crew winning the King and Queen of the skies contest, Kingsley said, ''our crew winning the king and queen contest organised for the crew of all domestic airlines, only shows the difference in standards , procedures and the level of training that our crew have received. They have also shown great knowledge of the job and smartness, and we are proud of them."

 

 Having flown over 2.7 million passengers in the last 9 years of its operations, Dana Air is one of Nigeria's leading airlines with over 27 daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, PH, UYO and Owerri. 

 

The airline is reputed for its innovative online products , world-class in-flight and customer service and unrivaled ontime performance. 

Air Peace emerges Leadership Company of the Year

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace has been selected as Leadership Company of the Year 2017 for maintaining quality flight operations and making bold investment decisions in the nation’s aviation industry.

A three-member delegation comprising Leadership Newspapers’ Deputy Editor, Mr Olajide Omojolomoju, Acting General Manager, Advert/Special Projects (Southern Operations), Mrs Angela Tony-Iji and Senior Correspondent, Bukola Idowu was at the Corporate Headquarters of Air Peace in Lagos to notify the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allen Onyema of the development.

A letter signed by the Group Managing Director of Leadership, Mr Abdul Gombe said the Board of Editors of the media outfit voted Air Peace company of the year for “taking on the risks of expansion, maintaining high technical and service standard in the face of harsh economic climate, and giving hope to other investors that Nigeria is still an investment destination.”

Omojolomoju, who represented the managing director of Leadership at the visit to Air Peace, said the carrier got the award strictly on merit. 

He added that the newspaper’s awards  were not for sale, adding that it would be officially presented to the airline at a ceremony being planned by Leadership.

Responding, Onyema said the airline was grateful to Leadership for recognising and rewarding merit and excellence.

He said the  newspaper had continued to distinguish itself as one of the most credible and reliable sources of news and information in the country. 

The Air Peace boss urged the newspaper to sustain its high reporting standard.

Onyema assured them that Air Peace was working flat out to maintain its reputations for safe flight operations and on-time performance.

Easter: Dana Air Introduces Buy One, Get One free, Partners Royal Films on Movie against Migration

Dana Air has announced a 'Buy one, Get One free'  promo for any of its  guests that books a return ticket between 12 Midnight on  March 29 and 12 midnight on March 30, being Good Friday. 

The airline has also partnered Royal Films Academy on a movie titled 'Forgotten in Libya.' as part of efforts towards encouraging the youths to stay in the country and avoid migrating to countries where they are not welcome. 

The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Obi Mbanuzuo, who made this known during a chat with newsmen in Lagos said, 'the buy one, get one free promo is just our way of appreciating our valued guests for their patronage.''

 ''Also in the spirit of Easter, we have introduced special fares of 18,000 premium economy and 45,000 business class to any of our destinations and you can avail these special fares by booking online at www.flydanaair.com. 

"The BOGOF promo is for any of our guests that books a return  ticket between 12 midnight on Thursday 29th March, and 12 midnight on Good Friday.''

On the partnership with Royal Films, Obi noted that ''Dana Air's commitment towards anything and everything that will contribute positively to the well-being of Nigerians has always caught our interest and we will continue to support projects and movies like this to encourage our youth not to leave our dear country for another country where they are not welcome.'' 

''Recently, we were regaled with stories of Nigerians who were deported from another African Country and subjected to inhuman treatments and that was really uncalled for and unacceptable.''

The movie - Forgotten in Libya'' will be premiered on March 30 in Owerri and will be distributed free to all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. 

Only recently, and as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Dana Air flew some US-based doctors on free medical mission to Uyo, where minor surgeries and other treatments were carried out for free. 

Having flown over 2.7 million passengers in the last nine years of its operation, Dana Air is one of Nigeria's leading airlines with daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri.

The airline is reputed for its innovative online products, world-class in-flight service and unrivaled ontime performance.  

Arewa, Oodua, IPOB youths hail Air Peace boss over US training

Arewa, Oodua and Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) youths have commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema for spending about N.3 billion on their two-part nonviolence and peace training in Lagos and the United States of America, describing him as God’s gift to Nigeria.

The youths made the commendation at the end of their two-week nonviolence training at the Emory Center for Advancing Nonviolence, Emory University, USA,.

They urged other well-to-do Nigerians to emulate Onyema’s patriotism and selflessness to guarantee peace, unity and development in the country.

Onyema’s non-governmental organisation, The Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN) had earlier mobilised about 50 youths from the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Arewa Youths and IPOB to Lagos for the Level 1 Nonviolence Training and Conflict Management Programme.

The one-week training conducted by a former aide of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. 

Dr Benard Lafayette and his team of nonviolence experts from America, held in September 2017 after the Air Peace boss embarked on a peace mission to IPOB and Arewa groups in the heat of the October 1 quit notice Arewa youths issued Igbo living in North.   

Onyema had said the training was part of his contribution to the quest for unity and ethnic harmony in Nigeria, promising to send the participants for the Level 2 Nonviolence Programme at the Emory Center for Advancing Nonviolence, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA to equip them with the necessary skills to campaign for peace in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the participants at the end of their two-week training at Emory University in the US, leader of Arewa Transformation and Empowerment Initiative (ATEI), Mohammed Danjuma said: “In every generation there are a handful of people who are defined as a gift to their nation; people who positively impact their generation directly or indirectly through selfless acts of generosity and a magnanimous penchant for peace. Barr. Allen Onyema fits that particular set of gifted individuals for this current generation.”

He described their training in the US as a “life-changing experience that left a huge imprint at the conclusion of the programme. 

"It has exposed me to a new way of life, new approaches and principles never known to me before.”

He pledged to use his new skill to influence his group and other youths in the country to embrace peace in their agitations.

“I believe being agent peace, there is no other way than spreading this new-found knowledge from person to person, thereby affecting the society and in turn the nation. 

"As head of the Arewa Transformation and Empowerment Initiative, we rubbed minds when we got back from the programme and came up with building a project to bridge the gap between all tribes of our country.”

For her part, Director of Global Independent Pan-African Youth Parliament, Ms. Ifunanya Kanonye said: “Barr. Allen Onyema is an angel God has used to touch many lives and I have heard about him a lot through one of his proteges. He is a special breed. If we had two of his type in Nigeria, there will be no problem. People like him are only seen once in a century.”

She pledged to ride on her training to encourage reconciliation in the country, saying: “Attending the Kingian Nonviolence Programme was an eye opener for me. The programme has really changed my approach to matters.”

Also speaking, Secretary General of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-cultural Fulani Association, Mr Saleh Kuba Hassan said Nigeria needed more people like Onyema to change the country.

“We rarely see individuals like him who take up such challenges against what people might see as fruitless ventures. We see that he has the selfless character needed for the nation’s progress and we believe in his ideas,” he said.

Director of Programmes and Public Affairs of FEHN, Joy Imeli, who led the beneficiaries to the US, however, urged them to make good use of their training. 

Her organisation, she said, was relying on the beneficiaries to spread the culture of peace and nonviolence across Nigeria. 

I Love Nigerian Foods- Ethiopian Airlines General Manager

Pretty and delectable Firiehiwot Mekonnen is the General Manager of Ethiopia Airlines in Nigeria.Before rising to her new position, the mother of one was head of traffic and sales in Abuja. In the wake of the news of Ethiopia Airline powering with an all female crew of pilots, engineers and cabin crew members in an international flight from Boles International Airport Addis Ababa to Lagos, she speaks of the massive responsibility of managing ET’s huge business of five daily flights to and from Nigeria and her love for and relationship with the country. She also speaks about the new ET policy of empowering women to be the very best of what they could be and other issues.
 
 
What was your first impression about Nigeria upon your arrival?
My first impression about Nigeria was very nice and very beautiful. Nigerians are very enterprising people. They are very happy and bubbly with energy. I like that. They can start up a conversation with  you  even when they do not know you.
 
 
Did you hear any stories about the country before your arrival?
Yes I heard a lot about Nigeria before my posting that Nigeria is Africa’s giant with lots of blessed resources. I also heard some crazy stories about how Nigerians act. I have since found out that most of the stories are exaggerated. Yes to some outsiders, Nigerians are different but Nigerians are one of the most welcoming people I have met.
 
 
Did your real impression fit into the stories you heard?
In fact the impression I got once I came to Nigeria was different from what I heard. I came to really connect with Nigeria and Nigerians. I eat Nigerian food, dress in Nigerian attire, participate in different social gatherings. All these and others doubled my love for the country and its people who are really friendly. I cannot describe how it feels to attend Nigerian parties and events. It is so colorful.
 
 
Are there Nigerian foods, culture and traditions including fashion that you connect with?
I love Nigerian food. In fact, I go out with friends to Nigerian restaurants. I love the culture of friendship and family ties too. The attires are really different and I have quite a number of Nigerian national dresses because they are beautiful, colorful and graceful. I feel happy whenever I wear them. Even my family members and friends now have Nigerian dresses. I have been exposed to the richness of Nigerian culture and its people, Nigerian films (Nollywood) and the music. Do you know that Dangote has become a household name in Ethiopia since he built one of his factories in Ethiopia?
 
 
There are very few women managing many big organizations including airlines like you; do you see this development as a change from the norm and a win for women in the world and especially in Africa?
I see the world as continuously changing as to give more opportunity to women to become more leaders at the top of organizations and this is already proving itself by the way of increased productivity and improved efficiency Ethiopian Airline, the leading aviation group in Africa is taking the leading path in making this come true. One of the value statement of Ethiopian Airline is “equal opportunity, employer committed to diversity and fairness” So you can see that this is happening already.

ET has given women the chance to be pilots, engineers, ground handlers,   aviation instructors, regional and country managers. If you come and see the biggest aviation Academy in Africa is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia you will see lots of women studying these fields from all over Africa countries.
 
 
ET did an amazing thing recently when it launched an all women crew; do you see this as also one of the winning ways for African women?
ET brought the all women operated flight to Lagos on December 16, 2017 to show that women can do anything and to show that Nigeria can be a leading country that empowers women. This all women operated international flight was the first in Africa and it got applause from all corners of the world. Again on March 8, 2018,  ET will do another all women operated flight to one of our new international destinations   Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is intended to inspire African girls. This very bold statement is very important.
 
 
Could you make an assessment of ET business in Nigeria and Africa in general?
ET the only SKYTRAX 4 star airline in Africa is now flying to five destinations in Nigeria everyday including to Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Enugu. It airlifted the highest number of international passengers out of Nigeria in 2017 according to NCAA analysis. This is history; that an African airline carried the highest number of passengers in another African country. We are happy that we were able to defend Africa in this rating. Even during the closure of Abuja airport, ET was the only international airline that agreed to fly Kaduna. Already we are seeking partnerships with other African countries to strengthen their capacity to thrive like us. We are doing this in Togo, Malawi, Zambia, and more recently in Guinea. We fly to over 100 destinations worldwide with the most modern fleet of Boeing B787, Dreamliner B777 and Airbus A350. With our vision 2025 strategy, we are opening up more international routes in the next six months including to Geneva Switzerland, Buenos Aires Argentina, Nosybe Madagascar, and Kisangani DRC.

Arik Air resolves dispute with Bi-Courtney, begins Port Harcourt flight operations from MMA2

Arik Air Limited on Saturday began its flight operations to Port Harcourt from the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA 2), Lagos.

The move signified the end of the the over 10 years dispute between the airline and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the MMA 2.  

Speaking, Mr Murat Ozcan, Vice President, Ground Operations, Arik Air, noted that the airline was delighted to have been able to move its daily Port Harcourt flights from the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Mohammed Airport to MMA 2.

According to him, the decision to move all outbound and inbound Lagos-Port Harcourt flights to MMA2 is informed by the need to enhance passenger flying experience.

"The MMA2  offers spacious ticketing and departure experience, modern and functional escalators and lifts.

"The terminal also has automated check-in, generous waiting space, lounges, restaurants and shops.

“We are daily reviewing our operations in order to give customers value for their money and enhance their travel experience. 

"By moving some of our operations to MMA2, we are delighting customers with seamless travel,” Ozcan said. 

He said in addition to the four daily flights from Lagos to Port Harcourt International Airport,  Arik Air would also operate  one premium daily flight from MMA 2 Lagos to Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Base, Port Harcourt.

Also, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood , Chief Pilot,  Arik Air, said the passengers of the airline were guaranteed better services because of the facilities available at the MMA 2.

"As an experienced pilot who has flown to a lot of countries across the world, I can say the MMA 2 is a very standard and modern airport and Arik Air is delighted with this partnership, " he added. 

On his part, the  Chief Executive Officer of BASL, Capt. Jari Williams, assured the management of Arik Air of seamless passenger facilitation at the terminal. 

"MMA2 remains a safe, secured and efficient passenger-friendly terminal to provide exceptional services to Arik’s guests to Port Harcourt and the best destination for other flying passengers and shoppers.

" We want to assure all the passengers who will be flying Arik Air from this Saturday of seamless facilitation as we welcome all of them to our terminal," he said. 

Williams, represented by the spokesperson for BASL, Mr Steve Omolale,  said with this move Arik Air had now joined Dana, Aero, Med-View, Azman and First Nation airlines, which had been operating scheduled flights from MMA2 over the years.

The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of 15 Economy and five Business Class Tickets to the first set of passengers who checked in for the three flights scheduled for the day respectively. 

It will be recalled that in February 2008, Arik Air  was ordered to move its domestic operations to MMA 2.

However, Arik Air declined, leading to series of litigations between the airline and BASL until the recent agreement brokered by the new management of the airline appointed by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON). 

FAAN targets certification of Kano, 3 other international airports by July

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)  says it is targeting the certification of four more airports in July 2018 following the successful certification of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja last year.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, made the disclosure while speaking on Tuesday at the Gate Way Forum organised by the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos. 

Dunoma said FAAN, in collaboration with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), had began the process of certifying the Kano,  Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Enugu International Airports,  noting that the programme would be completed by middle of the year. 

 He said the current drive towards the certification of Nigerian airports was very significant not only as a requirement by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, but even more importantly as one of the critical safety targets of the Abuja ministerial declaration. 

"Very soon,  we will certify all the international airports and then we will focus on the domestic airports.  All our airports will be certified within a given time frame, " Dunoma added. 

According to him, FAAN will continue to emphasise on safety and security followed by passenger facilitation and comfort at the airports. 

Dunoma added that additional patrol vehicles had been deployed for surveillance at the Lagos airport while Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras were being installed at the Abuja and Lagos airports to monitor activities at all the restricted areas. 

He said," by the time we have all these technology in place, the security will be very tight and no unauthorised person will be able to gain access to these restricted areas. "

The FAAN boss also disclosed that the authority would soon purchase sophisticated scanners that had the capacity to detect any contraband item in a passenger's baggage. 

"What we are currently using at the airports now are scanners that can detect when something is not right in a baggage. The security personnel can then focus it on the particular place and if he is not satisfied,  he can carry out a manual check. 

"But technology is improving and we are thinking of bringing in sophisticated equipments that can detect anything and very soon,  we will get these equipments at our airports, Dunoma said. 

He also disclosed that work had intensified in the ongoing  construction of terminal buildings at the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports, stressing that the projects would be completed soon despite the initial challenges. 

On debts being owed FAAN by domestic airlines and concessionaires , Dunoma noted that the agency had worked out payment plans with each of them to clear their backlog of indebtedness. 

He said :"As long as we continue to do business,  there will be debts. So you cannot say no airline is owing FAAN. We normally give them credits of two weeks as a policy because it is a continuous business. 

"We came up with a programme of payment which was agreed by all parties and this is what we have been doing because we don't want to put them out of business. 

NPFL Fans to Win Dana Air return tickets as Akwa United / Heartland Clash

Dana Air has announced that lovers of the Nigerian Professional Football League teams will stand a chance of winning return air tickets at the rescheduled first leg encounter between Akwa united and Heartland FC on March 21, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

According to Dana Air’s Media and Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, the initiative is to encourage more people to follow the Nigerian league teams and also encourage them to visit the venues of these matches to cheer the teams to victory.  

‘’We are trying to encourage more people to follow our Nigerian teams, players, and also visit the venue of these matches to cheer their teams to victory. 

"So we shall be giving out return tickets to lucky football fans and spectators at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo and during the return leg in Owerri.''

He said gate receipt is one of the ways teams in the EPL achieve self-sustainability, because the teams use the proceeds plus sponsorship to create a conducive environment for the fans to come watch, promote their activities and most of all, maintain their facilities and pitches to make them better for the players to play good football.

  So we should support the teams by way of going to watch these matches and waving their banners.’’

Speaking further, Kingsley said, 'we are also going to be promoting the match on all our social media platforms and fans can also win tickets and loads of other prizes when they participate in the predict and win competition. 

''This is one of the many initiatives and incentives that will come as a result of our commitment to developing the Nigerian Football league and our sponsorship of these two Nigerian professional league sides.’’

Dana Air has been keeping to its commitment to developing and supporting the Nigerian Professional Football League, and recently flew Akwa United as the team headed to Tunisa for its continental engagement.  

The airline is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines and the first and only domestic airline to have taken such initiative to support the Nigerian League players and Clubs.

FAAN holds pre-event media briefing ahead of ACI-Africa hosting

Preparatory to the 59th Airports Council International (ACI), Africa Board and Regional Committees Meetings, Conference & Exhibition coming up in Lagos, Nigeria from April 14- 20, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on Monday  held a pre-event press conference.

The event, which was aimed at intimating the media community and other stakeholders about the forthcoming conference was attended by the Managing Director of the Authority, who also doubles as the President, ACI Africa, Mr Saleh Dunoma.

 

In his keynote address,  Dunoma noted that this years conference, with the theme "Business Transformation for Sustainable Airport" will draw experts from across the world, including the Council President of ICAO, Dr Bernard Aliu.

 According to him, sessions to be held at this conference include, Innovation in airport business, Business innovation in airport retail, The future of airport tax free shops, Technology to support business transformation, Transformation in practice, amongst others.

 Dunoma noted that the hosting of this event would  be of immense benefit primarily to the authority and ultimately to the sector and Nigeria as a nation. 

Highlighting the direct benefits accruable from the conference, he stated that over 300 delegates including investors would be converging in Lagos for this event. 

"The guests will pass through airports in Nigeria, pay visa fees to the Nigerian Immigration services, stay in various hotels and visit different historical sites before they depart," he said. 

The event climaxed with the unveiling of the 2018 ACI Conference logo by  Dunoma, to the applause of guests

IWD 2018 : LAPO seeks more role for Nigerian women

A non governmental organisation, the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), says the inclusiveness of women in all spheres of the society will help fast track Nigeria's socio-economic development.

The Executive Director of LAPO, Mrs Sabina Idowu-Osehobo gave the charge on Thursday while speaking at the 2018 International Women's Day Ceremony organised by LAPO Lagos 2 Region.

The International Women's Day had the theme :" Press for Progress", while LAPO's celebration had the sub-theme, "Fundamentals of Progress for Nigerian Women."

The executive director, who was represented by Mrs Sandra Asowata, Regional Officer, LAPO Lagos 2 Region, said the organisation was committed to the social, health and economic empowerment of the poor and the vulnerable across the country. 

She said :"Historically, women are subjected to marginalisation, oppression and injustice in our patriarchal African society. They are discriminated against in their public and private life with increasing cases of infringement on their rights.

" Women and girls do not enjoy equal access to education, economic resources, political representation, employment, leadership and decision making like their male counterparts at all levels.

" In this age and time, we still have baffling reports of half a billion illiterate women, 120 million girls who have experienced rape and other forced sexual acts, 62 million uneducated girls, 40,00 daily child brides and 155 countries operating discriminatory laws.

"As a community development organisation, LAPO strongly believes that no appreciable development can be made either at the local , national or international front without acknowledging women as equal players in decision making, and empowering, up-skilling and investing in them."

 According to her, in view of this, the organisation for over two decades been at the forefront of the struggle of advancing women's  cause and supporting projects that empower them socially and economically. 

Idowu-Osehobo said in 2016, LAPO reached over 1.2 million persons with social and health awareness programmes. 

She added that between October 2014 and December 2017, LAPO Lagos 2 Region reached 27,853 clients of LAPO Microfinance Bank on social issues like

the consequences of widowhood rites, male preference, teenage pregnancy, early marriage, domestic violence, rape, divorce/separation, among others. 

Also speaking, Mrs Airat Alamu,  Education Secretary,  Alimosho Local Government Education Authority,  said women were mostly affected by poverty and other negative socio- economic bedevilling the country. 

"The struggle of enhancing and broadening women opportunities to actively participate in the leadership of their societal affairs through gender equality and equal rights should be more emphasised and approved upon for the women to have a say and responsibility in the society. 

"Our restructuring crusade should include the elevation of women in all sectors of our economy and political terrain to have equal gender balance," she added. 

In her lecture,  the guest Lecturer, Mrs Margaret Mekwuye,  Executive Director, Greenspring Development Initiative, urged the women to become active participants in national development by obtaining their Personal Voters 'Cards (PVCs)  ahead of the 2019 polls. 

Mekwuye said there was need to improve upon the 13 per cent affirmative action, stressing that many Nigerian women had distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavours. 

The high point of the celebration was the presentation of certificates to over 100 women who successfully completed the Financial Literacy Training organised by LAPO NGO.