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Tag: Houston

  • Historic Moment as Charles Omiyale becomes Knight of the Anglican Communion in the States

    Historic Moment as Charles Omiyale becomes Knight of the Anglican Communion in the States

    History was made yesterday in Houston, Texas, United States of America where the solemn investiture of Sir Charles Omiyale and his wife, Lady Mrs Shaneka Omiyale as Knights of Saint Christopher (KSC) took place under the auspices of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) America Mission (CONNAM).

    The investiture ceremony which was held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Houston, Texas was officiated by Rt. Revd Dr. Augustine Unuigbe, Coordinating Bishop, CONNAM.

    In a special tribute, the Bishop of CONNAM Region 2, Rt. Rev. Celestine Irona acknowledged the significant contributions of Sir Charles and Lady Shaneka Omiyale to the steady growth and advancement of the Anglican Communion in North America. He says, “the new Knights have been found worthy in spiritual and moral character and for their outstanding devotion towards the propagation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

    He further recognised Sir Charles Omiyale as an accomplished IT professional, businessman and philanthropist who had done so much to impact the lives of people in his home community in Igbajo, Osun State, Nigeria and in the Diaspora.

    The investiture ceremony was also described as a “sacred service marking the admission of the new Knights into the noble Order dedicated to faith, service, discipline and Christian witness”

    The investiture ceremony which attracted dignitaries from different parts of the globe culminated in a grand reception at the prestigious Glitz N Glam Event Centre in Houston.

  • Seplat Energy Committed to Leading Nigeria’s Indigenous Gas Revolution

    Seplat Energy Committed to Leading Nigeria’s Indigenous Gas Revolution

    Seplat Energy PLC, leading Nigerian independent energy Company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, says it is committed to leading Nigeria’s indigenous gas revolution, with a strong belief in energy for all, powered by gas, guided by sustainability and driven by Nigerian expertise.

    The Managing Director, Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), Mr. Oladotun Isiaka, gave this assurance at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, United States whilst speaking on a panel session dubbed ‘Harnessing Nigeria’s Gas Potential for Domestic Utilization and Global Export Market’ organised by the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). 

    Isiaka also called for greater collaboration across the gas value chain to turn Nigeria’s gas potential into tangible prosperity.

    According to him, Nigeria holds a strategic opportunity to leverage its gas reserves for domestic development and global competitiveness, and Seplat Energy is leading as a Nigerian independent, with strong operational and investment commitments in the domestic gas value chain.

    He noted that indigenous leadership, backed by supportive policies and financing models, is critical to Nigeria’s gas sector growth.

    On Seplat Energy’s contributions to Nigeria’s gas development, Isiaka said the Company is a leading supplier of processed gas to Nigeria’s domestic market – operating the Oben and Sapele Gas Processing Plant with combined capacity exceeding 300 MMscfd (supplying approximately 30 per cent of gas-fired power generation in-country).

    Seplat Energy  is also developing the ANOH Gas Processing Plant – a 300 MMscfd facility expected to come online in 2025 under a joint venture owned equally by Seplat Energy and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd.

    Also, the SEPNU offshore gas has huge potential to develop for both domestic and export markets, with significant reserves close to infrastructure.

    Beyond the Company’s focus on promoting clean energy access, its investment in gas development supports Nigeria’s Decade of Gas strategy with investments in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transport; Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for clean cooking; and electrification pilots in underserved communities.

    The SEPNU MD said: “Nigeria has over 200 Tcf of proven gas reserves; among the top 10 globally. The country stands at an inflection point: use gas to power its population, industrialize, and capture global export value. Seplat Energy believes gas is not just a transition fuel — it is the growth engine for Nigeria’s energy future.

    “Gas must displace biomass (used in cooking) and oil-based fuels like diesel (used in power generation sets), which are prevailing energy sources in Nigeria.”

  • SIFAX Group Appoints Eniola-Jegede Group Coordinating Director

    SIFAX Group Appoints Eniola-Jegede Group Coordinating Director

    The Board of Directors of SIFAX Group has approved the appointment of Mrs. Wunmi Eniola-Jegede as the Group Coordinating Director.

    Until this appointment, Eniola-Jegede was the Executive Director, Human Resources, Business Development, and Strategic Planning.

    In her new role, she will provide strategic leadership support to all the subsidiaries under the SIFAX Group to drive business growth, achieve peak performance, fulfill business objectives, and deliver exceptional customer service to clients’ satisfaction across the Group.

    Before joining SIFAX Group three years ago, Eniola-Jegede, with about 25 years of experience in human resources and strategic planning, was the Director, HR, Admin, and Strategic Planning at the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA). She has also worked as an HR Consultant to the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service; Revenue Manager, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service; and HR & Admin Manager at Surveillant Fire Limited. 

    She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Ado-Ekiti; a Certificate in Business Management from the Houston Community College Systems, Houston, Texas, and an MBA in Human Resources (Distinction) from the Devry University, Keller Graduate School of Management, Houston, Texas.  Eniola-Jegede is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management. 

    According to Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman, SIFAX Group, Eniola-Jegede has proven herself as an exceptional business leader in the last three years of working at SIFAX Group, adding that her commendable performance has prompted the Board to elevate her to the new role.

    He said: “Eniola-Jegede is an accomplished leader who has brought so much enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to her duties in the last three years as an Executive Director. Her ability to navigate through knotty issues and terrains in a bid to achieve set goals as well as the capacity to build connections both internally and externally have attracted the attention of the Board.

    “This elevation is not only a validation of her hard work and competence but also a demonstration of the confidence the Board has reposed in her. The Board expects that she will deploy all her skills to drive growth in all the Group’s businesses.”

  • Afreximbank signs term sheet for US$40million pre-export facility for Johnvents Industries Limited

    Afreximbank signs term sheet for US$40million pre-export facility for Johnvents Industries Limited

    …The term sheet provides for the facility to be used to finance commodities that had been received into approved warehouses or storage sites, to be processed into finished products for the export market

    The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) today in Houston, United States, signed a term sheet for a US$40million pre-export facility in favour of Johnvents Industries Limited.

    The facility was signed on behalf of Afreximbank by Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, John Alamu, Chief Executive Officer, Johnvents Industries Limited, and Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Nigeria PLC, the local administrative agent.

    The term sheet provides for the facility to be used to finance commodities that had been received into approved warehouses or storage sites, to be processed into finished products for the export market.

    It further provides that the facility, which is an uncommitted revolving pre-export facility, could be availed to finance commodities in transit to the warehouse, with such financing supported by a standby letter of credit or guarantee posted by Fidelity Bank Nigeria PLC.

    The signing of the term sheet was part of activities organised to mark the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect hosted by Fidelity Bank Nigeria PLC to promote Nigeria’s value-added exports in the global marketplace.

  • Emirates Premium Economy surges to record 160,000 customers trading up to experience the cabin’s quiet luxury

    Emirates Premium Economy surges to record 160,000 customers trading up to experience the cabin’s quiet luxury

    Customers’ preference for the recently introduced Emirates Premium Economy has surged to a record high, with over 160,000 trading up, thereby setting new industry benchmarks in Premium Economy travel.  Emirates is delightfully celebrating this banner first year of full-service operations with the highly popular cabin class, introduced in August 2022.  With strong demand momentum forecasted in the coming months, Emirates  is providing travellers more opportunities to experience its highly-acclaimed Premium Economy product which is currently available on flights to 11 cities, with the list growing to 13 cities by the end of the year, as more retrofitted aircraft with refreshed cabins roll into scheduled service.

    Since Emirates debuted its Premium Economy Class, customer response has been overwhelmingly positive with demand exceeding expectations and bookings growing month on month, demonstrating its appeal to a broad range of traveller segments who want to try out its understated luxury and meticulously elevated experience at great value. Nearly half of the customers flying in Emirates Premium Economy are solo travellers venturing off for holidays, while couples and families constitute the other half.  More than 60% of customers who booked to fly in Premium Economy in the last year were also loyal Emirates Skywards members and regular customers of the airline.

    Emirates currently flies its A380s with the latest Premium Economy cabins to London Heathrow, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Singapore, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Houston, San Francisco and Dubai, with flights regularly registering full seat loads in Premium Economy. The airline plans to make Premium Economy available to customers flying to/from Mumbai and Bengaluru from 29 October, and additional cities will be announced soon. Emirates currently operates 20 aircraft fitted with Premium Economy, 14 of which were retrofitted in-house by the Emirates Engineering team in Dubai over the course of the last nine months.

    Since August 2022, the airline has operated close to 4,500 flights with Premium Economy, traversing more than 36 million kilometres around the globe. On those flights, over 192,000 meals from its carefully curated menus which include the finest ingredients were served to customers who enjoyed regionally inspired, generously portioned dishes. Unique touches include indulgent desserts garnished with edible gold leaf, among other signature offerings. Premium Economy menus are updated every month to ensure a diversity of flavours and dishes, especially for well-travelled customers. Over 126,000 pieces of chocolates were served to round off meals for Premium Economy customers. Emirates also served 6,700 kilograms of mixed nuts and 8,650 litres of complimentary fresh lemon and mint juices in Premium Economy. The airline’s robust beverage selection in Premium Economy includes a global exclusive for Emirates customers, Australian sparkling wine, Chandon Vintage Brut 2016, alongside a choice of a unique white and red wine.

    The airline’s philosophy to constantly innovate and redefine service excellence through the introduction of Premium Economy has earned it numerous top placings and accolades in the cabin category at the 2023 Skytrax Awards, Business Traveller awards, Airline Ratings Excellence Awards, and 2022 Business Traveller Middle East awards.

    In May, Emirates launched a global campaign with Academy Award winning actor and philanthropist, Penelope Cruz, which also featured her enjoying the spacious seats in Premium Economy. The airline has also provided a glimpse of its Premium Economy offering through guided tours of the new cabin class to media and influencers, trade partners, airport, tourism and government officials across cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Christchurch, Singapore, New York JFK and San Francisco.

    The Premium Economy roll-out is a core component of the airline’s multi-billion-dollar retrofit programme which will see the interior upgrade on 67 Emirates A380 cabins, as well as 53 Boeing 777 cabins. By the end of the programme, over 4,000 Premium Economy seats will be installed, along with over 700 First Class suites and 5,000 Business Class seats refurbished with the latest interiors.

    Tickets in Premium Economy can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents.

  • Fidelity Bank announces 2nd edition of Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC)

    Fidelity Bank announces 2nd edition of Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC)

    …takes trade expo to Houston, Texas, USA in October 2023

    Building on the resounding success of the maiden edition of the Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect (FITCC) in London, UK last November, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced plans to host the second edition of the trade expo in Houston, Texas in the United States of America.

    Tagged FITCC Houston, the event would hold on Wednesday, 18th and Thursday, 19th October 2023 at the /George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010.

    Situating the critical role FITCC plays in the bank’s export trade strategy, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe stated that, “Fidelity Bank is very much invested in supporting export trade and has consistently demonstrated this by the interventions and innovations that we bring to the space. Beyond the instrument of financing, some of our key interventions in the space revolve around business management capacity development with initiatives like the Export Management Programme (EMP) which we host in partnership with the Lagos Business School and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and market access development initiatives like FITCC.”

    To promote Nigeria’s non-oil exports and facilitate integrations to global supply-chain networks, FITCC Houston will host leading businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and regulators operating in the commodity, service, creative, fashion and FinTech sectors in Nigeria and the United States. The participants would explore partnership, co-creation and foreign direct investment opportunities.

    Participating businesses will benefit from curated market access engagements, investment and partnership opportunities, extended brand exposure before a global audience as well as speaking and networking opportunities amongst a long list of benefits in FITCC Houston.

    Interested businesses and participants are encouraged to register for the conference at www.fidelitybank.ng/fitcc .

  • Princess Modupe Ozolua Gets US President’s Lifetime Award

    Princess Modupe Ozolua Gets US President’s Lifetime Award

    Modupe Ozolua, a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and princess of the Benin Kingdom from Sabongida Ora, Edo State, Nigeria has received a lifetime achievement award from the United States President, Joe Biden. The award presentation took place on Sunday in Houston, Texas.

    According to Princess Ozolua’s publicists, Hamiltonstyle News & Views, “This is a great reward for Princess Modupe Ozolua’s lifelong commitment to helping humanity, as she received last Sunday, an award certificate and letter from the White House, personally signed by President Joe Biden.”

    A Nigerian-American, Ozolua owned her first business in Los Angeles, California at the age of 21 before pioneering cosmetic surgery in Nigeria in 2001 at the age of 27 years. She has dedicated the last 19 years of her life to numerous charity milestones.

    In 2003, she founded Empower 54, a US 501 C3, a non-profit organization which provides humanitarian aid in health, education and empowerment of women, girls and refugees; especially disadvantaged Africans across the continent. Late Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the Patron of Empower 54.

    Prior to her latest honour by the seal of the US President, Princess Ozolua’s last 19 years of dedication to humanity have earned her many accolades, including One of Africa’s Leading Female Entrepreneurs by Elle Magazine (2015); One of 50 African Women Who Shape the African Continent, Elle Magazine (2016); Official Proclamation for Service to Humanity, City of Atlanta, Georgia, USA (2016); and Letter of Commendation for Service to Humanity from Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia, USA (2016).

    Others are: Official Proclamation Declaring October 10, 2019 Princess Modupé Ozolua’s Day in Houston, Texas, USA (2019); Letter of Commendation from Mayor Sylvester Turner, City of Houston, Texas for Princess Ozolua’s Humanitarian Activities (2019); and One of Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria (2022). Ozolua’s latest US President’s award was presented on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

    Responding to the honour done her by President Joe Biden, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in a letter to Ozolua, signed by its Special Duties Head, Soso Muhammed, wrote: “Congratulations on the amazing news. The award is the recognition of your hard work, humility and commitment in your service to humanity.”                  

  • Emirates and United Airlines sign historic partnership agreement

    Emirates and United Airlines sign historic partnership agreement

    Emirates and United announced a historic commercial agreement today that will enhance each airline’s network and give their customers easier access to hundreds of new destinations* within the United States and around the world.


    From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston – three of the biggest business hubs in the U.S – will be able to easily connect onto United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket.
    At the eight other U.S. airports served by Emirates – Boston, Dallas, LA, Miami, JFK, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC – both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place.


    United will launch a new direct flight between New York/Newark and Dubai starting in March 2023 – from there, customers will be able to travel on Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to more than 100 cities. Tickets for United’s new Dubai flight are now on sale.


    Emirates and United announced their agreement today at a ceremonial event at Dulles International Airport, hosted by United CEO, Scott Kirby and Emirates President, Sir Tim Clark, featuring United and Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and flight crews from each carrier.


    Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline said: “Two of the biggest, and best-known airlines in the world are joining hands to fly people better to more places, at a time when travel demand is rebounding with a vengeance.


    “It’s a significant partnership that will unlock tremendous consumer benefit and bring the United Arab Emirates and the United States even closer. We welcome United’s return to Dubai next year, where our hub Dubai essentially becomes a gateway for United to reach Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the combined network of Emirates and flydubai. We look forward to developing our partnership with United for the long term.”


    Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines said: “This agreement unites two iconic, flag carrier airlines who share a common commitment to creating the best customer experience in the skies. United’s new flight to Dubai and our complementary networks will make global travel easier for millions of our customers, helping boost local economies and strengthen cultural ties.


    “This is a proud moment for both United and Emirates employees, and I look forward to our journey together.”
    Customers of both airlines can soon book these connecting flights on a single ticket – making check-in and luggage transfer faster and easier. For example – travelers will be able to visit United.com or use the United app to book a flight from New York/Newark to Karachi, Pakistan or go to Emirates.com to book a flight from Dubai to Atlanta or Honolulu.


    This agreement will also give the loyalty program members of both airlines more opportunities for more rewards: Emirates Skywards members can soon earn miles when they travel on United-operated flights, and United Mileage Plus members flying on United’s New York/Newark to Dubai flight will be able to earn and redeem miles when connecting beyond on Emirates and flydubai.


    Eligible customers traveling on codeshare flights will also soon enjoy access to Emirates and United lounges. More details on frequent flyer awards and lounge-sharing benefits will be communicated in the coming weeks. Both airlines have recently announced significant investments in the customer experience.


    Emirates will retrofit more than 120 aircraft as part of a $2 billion effort that includes elevated meal choices, a brand-new vegan menu, a ‘cinema in the sky’ experience, cabin interior upgrades, and sustainable choices.


    At United, the airline will add 500 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft to its fleet with a focus on a new signature interior that includes seat-back screens in every seat, larger overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity throughout, and the industry’s fastest available in-flight WiFi.

  • SIFAX Group Appoints Eniola-Jegede Executive Director 

    SIFAX Group Appoints Eniola-Jegede Executive Director 

    SIFAX Group, a group of companies with investment in Maritime, Aviation, Oil & Gas, Haulage & Logistics, Financial Services and Hospitality, has announced the appointment of Wunmi Eniola-Jegede as the Executive Director, Business Development and Strategic Planning.

    Eniola-Jegede, with over 20 years’ experience in human resources and strategic planning, was until her appointment the Director, HR, Admin and Strategic Planning at the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA).

    Prior to that, she had worked as HR Consultant to the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service; Revenue Manager, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service as well as HR & Admin Manager at Surveillant Fire Limited.

    She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Ado-Ekiti, Certificate in Business Management from the Houston Community College Systems, Houston, Texas and an MBA in Human Resources (Distinction) from the Devry University, Keller Graduate School of Management, Houston, Texas. She is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

    Bode Ojeniyi, Group Executive Director, SIFAX Group said the appointment was to further strengthen the company’s executive management team for improved performance.

    “SIFAX Group recognises the correlation between peak performance and quality human capital. To drive business growth and deliver excellent services to the satisfaction of our clientele, we need first-class materials and that’s why we continue to add quality staff to the company at all levels”, he said.

     

  • AirPeace announces Feb 5 for resumption of Dubai Service

    AirPeace announces Feb 5 for resumption of Dubai Service

    …increases frequency to Enugu

    Air Peace has announced the resumption of flights into Dubai via Sharjah on February 5, 2021.

    This is as the airline has also increased its flight frequency to and out of Enugu.

    Spokesperson of the airline, Stanley Olisa, revealed this in a media statement released on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. He stated that the Dubai via Sharjah service will be operated once a week.

    “We are delighted to announce that we shall be resuming flights to Dubai via Sharjah on February 5 and passengers can start booking on the website or the mobile app. Lagos-Dubai will operate on Fridays while Dubai-Lagos will be on Saturdays”, Olisa said. He added that the flight frequency will be increased subsequently depending on observed passenger traffic.

    “We urge our esteemed passengers to comply with all established COVID-19 protocols guiding international air travel”, the Spokesperson stressed.

    Meanwhile, Air Peace has also disclosed that it now operates additional flights into Enugu, as Olisa hinted that “these new flights are in response to popular demand and a reflection of our resolve to reduce the air transportation burden of Nigerians”.

    It can be recalled that Air Peace launched its second international route-South Africa- in December 2020 and has other international destinations in the offing, such as Mumbai-India, Guangzhou-China, Houston-US and London.

  • Air Peace expands commercial flights into South Africa

    Air Peace expands commercial flights into South Africa

    Reputed for its trailblazing footprints, foremost Nigerian airline and West Africa’s largest carrier, Air Peace, has announced that it will be commencing regular commercial flight operations from its Lagos hub into the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, soon, in keeping with its vision to provide seamless connectivity across cities.

    The airline says it has made huge progress in meeting the stipulated requirements of the aviation authorities in both South Africa and Nigeria to enable it launch flight operations into the country before the year runs out. In a press release issued by the Spokesperson of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, the airline hinted that South Africa is one of the destinations which the Federal Government had designated Air Peace to operate into, adding that Lagos-Johannesburg-Lagos will be operated thrice a week.

    Olisa stated that South Africa has always been on the radar of Air Peace as the airline is constantly reviewing its route network and looking at strategic ways of expanding it to provide immense value to Nigerians first, and other Africans. He added that this focused route planning and expansion is driven by the airline’s ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative, an ambition to interconnect various cities through the provision of safe, comfortable, and cost-effective flights.

    Reiterating the commitment of the airline to continuously add more connections to its route network, Olisa noted that apart from South Africa, Air Peace has also been designated to operate commercial flights into Mumbai, London, Guangzhou-China, Houston, with other destinations still in the works. “We shall continue to strategically increase existing connections to give our customers more network options while also creating more employment opportunities for Nigerians”, he said.

    Air Peace, in a historic feat, had kicked off international flight operations with United Arab Emirates in July 2019 and has consistently shown vibrancy and reliability by operating several evacuation flights to and from China, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Israel, India and Turkey during the COVID-19 lockdown as well as the free airlift of 503 Nigerians from South Africa amidst the xenophobic onslaught last year.