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Tag: accommodation

  • Feature: Economic Insensitivity: The Arbitrary Spike in the Parking Rate at MM2

    Feature: Economic Insensitivity: The Arbitrary Spike in the Parking Rate at MM2

    by Olutayo Irantiola

    Recently, the parking rate at the Multi-Storey Car Park at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and managed by Balosh, was arbitrarily increased. Overnight parking, which used to be six thousand naira (N6,000) only, was increased to fifty thousand naira (N50,000) only. What is the mathematical rationale for this type of increase?

    In 2021, Balosh, the company managing the toll system within the airport, was engaged by the Lagos State Government and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and it almost resorted into a crisis within the hospital premises because one would not be able to explain the rationale for having a patient in the hospital, and one would be charged for car park.

    Nigerians are unable to commute by road, train, or even the waterways. Despite the rising cost of all modes of commuting, one is now confronted with an unjustified increase in airport parking rates.

    With the rising cost of house rent cum accommodation in Lagos, people have moved to various suburbs of Lagos. When they have a reason to travel, the most cost-effective option is to get their vehicle to the airport, park it, travel to their destination, and return to their vehicle to get home within 3-4 days. When it was N6,000, everyone assumed that it was affordable and safe to keep their cars at the airport. Similar to what happens at the jetties and train stations.

    The rising cost of JetA1 has been attributed to the rising cost of air ticket which is almost beyond the reach of an average Nigerian; the rising cost of PMS (Petrol) at this time when Iran and US war is ongoing has made people abandoned their cars while app hailing taxi services are ‘cutting’ people’s heads off while the regular airport taxi call unfriendly rates to the already overtaxed Nigerian that has not gotten an increase in salary despite the galloping inflation.

    Further rationalising this increase, it seems that the airport authority is now competing with the airlines- if one can afford a N300,000 return ticket, then one can also afford a N150,000 for a three-day parking at the airport. This is not a fair deal for Nigerian travellers who are working hard to travel by air, given the imminent fear of what could go wrong on the road.

    Can one liken the increase to a collaboration between the taxi unions and the airport to rip people off of their hard-earned money? What this means is that for anyone who cannot afford parking at the airport, you will be forced to use a taxi that is ‘seemingly’ above the law, which is in connivance with the private operator of the airport. The enforcement team at MM2 would never clamp taxis, but they aim at private vehicles that are forced to use the car park, regardless of how many minutes one wants to use at the airport.

    Beyond the exorbitant rate introduced by the airport operator for the car park, they are also on the case of on-demand, multi-category delivery platform riders who pick up food items from restaurants within the airport. This wanton drive for revenue will kill more businesses than build a thriving economy.

    Beyond the few excuses given by the operators of the car park and the airport. Nigerians need organisations that are empathetic and can feel the pulse of the people. With the current rate, it means anyone without a driver cannot live a simple life of fueling his car at over a thousand naira per litre, drive to the airport, keep his car and return joyfully to Lagos with the intent of driving home. This is another way of destroying the middle class in Nigeria. If you engage a friend, sibling or acquaintance without a license to drive your car away from the airport, and such a person runs into the VIO or FRSC, the problem becomes complicated.

    It is expedient for the airport operators to devise a strategy to identify actual travellers, which should be based solely on their boarding passes and means of identification. For those whose boarding passes and tally slips given at the car park entrance can be matched, they should be given a concession. They can deal decisively with other vehicles parked without justification. But making the car park rate unaffordable to the common man should not be allowed to stay.

    There is no moral justification for overnight parking, let alone moving from 6,000 to 50,000! I will want to implore the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku and other government agencies to please look into the matter and reduce the hardship being experienced by Nigerian travellers who need to park at MM2.

    Olutayo Irantiola is a PR Consultant based in Lagos, Nigeria

  • Momentum accelerates as Dakar 2026 enters Games year

    Momentum accelerates as Dakar 2026 enters Games year

    …With the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) now firmly on the horizon, preparations for Dakar 2026 are translating into visible momentum across Senegal, according to the latest progress report presented to the 145th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session

    • Dakar 2026 has entered the delivery phase, with venue works and operational readiness advancing as the Games year begins.
    • Preparations are supported by strong national coordination, growing public engagement and a clear focus on youth legacy.
    • Key milestones ahead include the Chefs de Mission Seminar in April and the arrival of the Olympic flame on the African continent in September.

    Delivered by Dakar 2026 Organising Committee (YOGOC) President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye and General Coordinator Ibrahima Wade, the update marked a shift from planning to delivery, with progress accelerating across governance, venues and operations. Coordination Commission (CoCom) Chair Humphrey Kayange also addressed the Session, highlighting the great progress and tangible momentum towards Dakar 2026, while noting that the CoCom remained clear-eyed on the priorities and how these would be monitored and systematically addressed.

    Delivery and readiness advancing across venues

    Dakar 2026 continues to build confidence through tangible progress on venue works, with several sites having already hosted operational testing. Venue renovations are designed to support long-term access for young athletes, while the Youth Olympic Village will subsequently be turned into student accommodation. International Sports Federations are actively engaged through regular site visits and targeted webinars, with the Chefs de Mission Seminar in April marking a key operational milestone.

    The preparations are supported by strengthened national coordination. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye attended the One-Year-To-Go celebrations and remains closely involved in the preparations, while the YOGOC continues to engage regularly with the highest authorities.

     “We are now in Games year, with exactly 270 days to go until the Opening Ceremony,” Ndiaye told the IOC Members, stressing that preparations are underpinned by a strengthened governance and close-monitoring framework established jointly with the IOC and Games delivery partners.

    Celebrations and events driving public momentum

    Public engagement continues to build through milestone celebrations, including the One-Year-To-Go celebrations, alongside the fourth edition of the Dakar en Jeux festival, which included an international futsal competition. The festival also served as a key moment for international engagement with representatives from 42 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across five continents taking part in open days.

    In the heart of the capital, the Dakar 2026 OMEGA countdown clock (https://apo-opa.co/4awkACC) now provides a daily reminder of the approaching milestone, marking the days until these Games.

    Building a lasting youth legacy

    At the heart of Dakar 2026 remains its long-term legacy for African young people. Through the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy, nearly 200 of the 400 available places are currently filled, with participants from 25 African NOCs set to join the YOGOC. This legacy focus is complemented by Jambaar26 (“hero” in Wolof), the Dakar 2026 volunteer programme, launched last December and aiming to mobilise 6,000 volunteers across Senegal.

    CoCom Chair Kayange concluded: “Beyond the sports venues and accommodation, the legacy of Dakar 2026 will be formidable, trained young human capital across Africa.” Looking ahead, he noted that the arrival of the Olympic flame in September, marked by a nationwide tour across all 14 regions of Senegal and local celebrations across the continent, will unite communities and bring together African countries around the flame, with the support of Olympic Solidarity.

    Dakar 2026 will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

  • Maritime Labour: Nigeria Endorses Amendments to Eight (8) Codes of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

    Maritime Labour: Nigeria Endorses Amendments to Eight (8) Codes of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.

    …Seafarers’ welfare is our priority- Mobereola

    Nigeria has endorsed the amendments to eight (8) Codes of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. The amendments include the codes related to the protection of seafarers against discrimination, identification of seafarers as key workers, enhanced access to shore based welfare for seafarers, and the code on shipboard violence, harassment and bullying, accommodation and recreational facilities onboard.

    The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the 5th ILO special Tripartite Committee meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, emphasised Nigeria’s commitment to the welfare, rights, and protection of seafarers. 

    The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for fostering dialogue on maritime labour standards. 

    The NIMASA DG reiterated Nigeria’s dedication to ensuring decent working and living conditions for seafarers, noting the recently approved minimum wage in line with ILO standards. 

    Dr. Mobereola also used the platform to reinforce Nigeria’s bid for election to Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council during the upcoming elections scheduled for November/ December this year. He stated that Nigeria’s inclusion in the Council would strengthen Africa’s representation and voice in shaping international maritime policies that promote fair labour practices, environmental sustainability, and technical cooperation.

    The Special Tripartite Committee comprises representatives from countries that have ratified the MLC 2006, and mostly from Maritime Administrations who also attend IMO meetings. This is the very first time Nigeria is widening the scope of its campaign to engage strategically with relevant international agencies.

  • Nestlé Nigeria doles out Community Scholarship Programme

    Nestlé Nigeria doles out Community Scholarship Programme

    Nestlé Nigeria is proud to reaffirm its commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders by opening entries for its annual scholarship programme. Aimed at high-achieving senior secondary and tertiary students pursuing studies in Science and Technology, this scholarship empowers and supports students in communities surrounding Nestlé operations. 

    Since launching the Community Scholarship in 2020, Nestlé has remained committed to providing financial support to students in its host communities. This support covers tuition, accommodation, uniforms, books, and other essential expenses, ensuring these students have the resources they need throughout their education journey. 

    In this round, 90 verified indigenes will receive grants totaling N18 million. The application portal opens on November 5, 2024, and closes on December 8, 2024. 

    Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating shared value, linking Nestlé’s success to the well-being of its host communities. She encouraged scholarship recipients to strive for academic excellence to stay competitive on a global scale. “These scholarships reflect our unwavering dedication to investing in the future of our youth. At a time when economic challenges place added strain on families nationwide, we’re proud to provide meaningful financial support that eases this burden. By investing in education, we’re not only empowering individual students but also fostering the growth and prosperity of our entire community.” 

    The call for entries announcement was made at the recent award ceremony for the 2023/2024 batch of recipients, where 65 students from schools in Abaji, Agbara, and Sagamu were awarded scholarships. 

    One of the recipients from the award ceremony, Adeyemi Gbenga Daniel, a tertiary beneficiary studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lagos, said, “This scholarship empowers us to pursue our dreams, fuels our passion for learning, and helps us explore opportunities that might have otherwise been out of reach”. 

    Also speaking at the event, traditional leaders of the recipient communities expressed gratitude for the company’s consistent efforts. The Ona of Abaji, the Alagbara of Agbara, and the Akarigbo of Remo Land, represented by their chiefs, praised Nestlé Nigeria for keeping its promises and making a real difference through its Creating Shared Value (CSV) initiatives. They recognized the positive effects on their communities, from educational support to youth empowerment, and promised their ongoing support for Nestlé’s operations, ensuring that the communities remain welcoming for business growth. 

    As the programme continues to evolve, Nestlé remains focused on nurturing talent and encouraging academic excellence. By investing in the education of young people, the company seeks to create long-lasting positive impacts in its host communities, helping to shape a more promising future for Nigeria’s next generation of leaders and innovators. 

    To apply for the Nestlé Community Scholarship and take a step toward your future, please click here https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=I6-jEmmnVEaEf5WPPUefSmrmj6UaT09MhTh0eHSbd2RUQzRSWjQxNEcyMjVOV1JBRVpaVFVXSE81MC4u to access the application portal.  

  • World Scam 2022: Top-Five Schemes Cybercriminals are running As the World Cup is set to Commence

    World Scam 2022: Top-Five Schemes Cybercriminals are running As the World Cup is set to Commence

    The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is the most awaited sports event of 2022 for football fans and kicks off on November 20. As well as exciting hundreds of millions of fans worldwide, it’s also attracted the interest of cybercriminals looking to make a fast buck. 

    To get a better overview of how scammers are trying to monetise football fans’ interest, Kaspersky experts have analysed World Cup-related phishing websites from around the globe designed to steal users’ identifying and banking data. Kaspersky researchers have found fake pages offering everything from tickets or event merch, to match streaming services, plus numerous giveaways and NFT scams exploiting the World Cup.

    Ticketing scams

    As with all major global sports events, fake tickets are the spread bait most used to lure victims and this World Cup is no exception. Additionally, Qatar 2022 is only offering digital tickets, increasing the risk of running into malicious resources. Kaspersky experts discovered numerous phishing pages offering to buy tickets for FIFA matches. Needless to say, users will lose personal data, banking details, and money. Additionally, scammers may start also using the stolen data for other purposes or sell it on the Dark Web.

    Gifts

    No big public event is complete without fraudsters imitating extremely generous giveaways. Kaspersky experts also found phishing pages offering to win two tickets to the World Cup. This is quite popular where usually each user becomes a ‘lucky’ winner; with the chosen ones only needing to pay a delivery fee.

    Merchandise

    Another way to steal users’ data is via fake FIFA-related merchandise stores. While the offer of a T-shirt of your favourite team, phone cases with popular players, or signed soccer balls sounds good, after entering your data and transferring money to make a purchase, fans lose their cash to fraudsters instead.

    Crypto and NFT frauds

    A distinctive feature of the threat landscape ahead of the 2022 World Cup has been the active spread of various crypto scams, mostly exploiting the popularity of NFTs. Some offer to make a bet on a match and win cryptocurrency, others to win worldwide related NFT art. All the user needs to do is to enter crypto wallet credentials, so the ‘prize’ transfers directly. In such a scenario, scammers gain access to all savings and related wallet data.

    Another scheme is crypto investment fraud which is a bright example of a dubious investment. Fraudsters actively create real coins and convince a user to invest in it while promising the victim potential currency growth. In real life, such initiatives are almost never a success as users have spent money on something that will never develop.

    Flights and accommodations

    Pandemic-imposed limitations will also see the 2022 World Cup stage many offline events with live viewers, involving thousands of tourists in Qatar – something scammers have not missed. Kaspersky experts have observed numerous phishing pages imitating airline services offering tickets to Doha. The analysed webpage shows all the classic signs of a scam – nice appearance, wrong spelling, freshly registered domain, and limited functionality of the site. Although the site mimics a global airfare aggregator, the user can only choose Qatar in the list of destination countries. Once flight details are entered, the victim is offered the chance to enter personal data along with ID and credit information.

    ‘Major sports events always attract the attention of cybercriminals. With this World Cup, scammers got very creative, as we have observed a variety of fraudulent schemes employed. We see how they are trying to benefit most from the situation and exploit as many trendy topics as possible, including a growing number of NFT scams related to the World Cup. At the same time, there are many so-called traditional scams out there from giveaways and fake tickets to merch stores. These schemes are simple, yet, effective and is why such fraudulent pages are eternal companions of big events. We encourage users to be attentive when they receive offers that seem too good to be true and carefully check the validity of the messages they receive,’ comments Olga Svistunova, a security expert at Kaspersky.

    To avoid falling victim to a scam, Kaspersky advises users to:

    • It will be safe to check the link before clicking. Hover over it to preview the URL, and look for misspellings or other irregularities 
    • It’s better not to follow links from e-mails at all. Instead, you can open a new tab or window and enter the URL of your bank or other destination manually.
    • Consider what kind of information is being requested. Legitimate companies don’t contact you out of the blue via unsolicited emails to ask you for personal information such as banking or credit card details, social security number etc. In general, unsolicited messages telling you to ‘verify account details’ or ‘update your account information should be treated with caution.  
    • Use a reliable security solution, such as Kaspersky (http://bit.ly/3UCDzB7), that identifies malicious attachments and blocks phishing sites.
    • Grammar and spelling check is an effective way to identify a scammer. Typos and bad grammar are red flags. So too are odd phrasing or unusual syntax, which might result from the email being translated back and forth through translator several times.
  • Netflix Announces 52 Beneficiaries of Its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund in West And Central Africa

    Netflix Announces 52 Beneficiaries of Its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund in West And Central Africa

    …Next generation of storytellers celebrated at a 2-day NFVCB event held in Nigeria

    Today, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, Netflix announced 52  beneficiaries of its Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF), for the West and Central African region. The announcement occurred at a stakeholder event, hosted by the National Film and Video Censor Board (NFVCB).

    The 2-day event which took place at the Marriott Hotel, Ikeja in Lagos engaged policy, regulators and partners on important discussions including; Nigerian storytelling as soft power and hard currency;  inclusion of women in the creative economy; the need for strengthening Nigeria’s creative pipeline, and Nollywood’s contribution to global perception.

    Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) will provide financial support to its beneficiaries including access to quality tertiary education in film and TV-focused disciplines. The scholarship fund for Sub-Saharan students is part of Netflix’s global Creative Equity Fund launched in 2021 which is a dedicated effort to help build new opportunities for underrepresented communities within entertainment. Through the fund, Netflix supports external organisations committed to creating equitable opportunities in the TV and film industries, as well as bespoke Netflix programs that help us to identify, train and provide job placement for up-and-coming talent globally.

    The Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund celebrated the inaugural cohort of 52 beneficiaries from four East African countries Benin Republic, Gabon, Ghana and Nigeria.

    Meet the 52 Beneficiaries:

    3 beneficiaries from PAN-Atlantic University (Nigeria),

    Alex Eyengho, Donatus Ekwuazi and Nicole Emechebe.

    24 beneficiaries from the National Film Institute Jos (Nigeria)

    Nanmet Dakup, Grace Lasisi, Nkemakonam Onejeme, Timchang Miri, George-isaac Dadzie, Joseph Ogbe, Anothony Nnaji, Aduragbemi Ogundiran, Oluyomi Taiwo, Evelyn Inyang, Emeka Ikpechukwu, Collins Okorocha, McRoberts Metseyinor, Fatgan Agati, Aisa Zerubabel, Blessing Izang, Stephen Okoh, Nifuk Mafuyai, Lois Bewarang, Samson Alaba, Ezichi Okeke, Rukayat  Zubair, Mary Orjiakor and Divine-gift Ibewuike.

    8 beneficiaries-National Film and Television Institute (Ghana)

    Samuel Laryea, Seth Aydin, Linda Amemordzi, Gilbert Carrey, Kakra Opare-Asiedu, Lydia Flika, Payin Opare-Asiedu, Magdaline Masopeh.

    15 beneficiaries from Institut Supérieur des Métiers de l’Audiovisuel (ISMA) (Benin)

    Sekinatou Bio, Belvina Djossou, Kate Djiwan, Mirabellel Tossa, Melvina Afanou

    Lazarine Damando,  Imelda Batamoussi, Zigan Jean-Pierre Medegoun, Elfrid Benon, Franck Anikakpo, Irésan Bassaley, Milka Degan, Chrétia Vodounon, Nouriyath  Moussibayi and Claudia -Manuela Tanoh.

    2 beneficiaries – Institut Philippe Maury de l’Audiovisuel et du Cinéma (IPMAC) du groupe EM-Gabon Université (EMGU)

    Thephor Koumou-Mba and Adriana Ndemby.

    All the beneficiaries are eligible to receive a  full scholarship which includes – tuition, accommodation, living stipend and education supplies.

    The program is currently being administered by Dalberg in partnership with the five institutions of higher learning in the region that will support the formal qualification and training of aspiring creatives from the region.