Nigeria begins yam export to Europe, U.S. June 29

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, has said the country will commence yam exports to Europe and america on June 29.
He said 72 tonnes of yam would be exported on the said date.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the minister (Media), Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye, in Abuja on Thursday, said Ogbeh disclosed this at a meeting with members of the Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme.
The minister said the inauguration of the yam export would be done at the Apapa Port and would be exported in three containers of 24 tonnes each.
According to him, one container will be exported to the United Kingdom, while the other two will be taken to the United States.
The minister appealed to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service to reduce inspection charges on export produce to encourage more exporters and enable the country become competitive in the export market.
“To make yam competitive, we will work on the packages and the right types of trucks to be used for transportation of the produce.
“Oil and gas cannot employ millions of people, just like agriculture; so, we must work hard to move from oil to earning foreign exchange from agriculture,’’ Ogbeh said.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Simon Irtwange, said they were working with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council to commence the process of the export.
An exporter, Mrs Elizabeth Nwankwo, the Chief Executive Officer of Oklan Best Limited, the move would help to rebrand the image of the nation and acceptability of the country’s produce at the international market.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the committee was inaugurated in February to facilitate the acquisition of warehouses at the receiving destinations, address markets in Europe and Canada.
It will also sensitise farmers and exporters on required international standards of yam before exportation.
The committee is made up of representatives from the Nigerian Customs Service, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service  and the Nigerian Ports Authority  among others.

It's Not True, No Banks Take Ownership of Etisalat- Consortium

 Strong indications emerged on Wednesday that the consortium of banks being owed N541 billion by Etisalat Nigeria has no intention of taking over ownership the telecoms network.

Some media reports had indicated that the consortium led by Access Bank had moved to take over the telecoms form following the collapse of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services, EMTS, promoted by-one time Chairman, United Bank for Africa, UBA, Hakeem Bello-Osagie, to reschedule the $1.72 billion debt.

Sources close to the banks told our correspondent that the facilities approved by the banks for Etisalat Nigeria fell due for payment and the company has serially defaulted on repayment.

“Part of the facilities have become delinquent while the sponsors and management of Etisalat Nigeria were not forthcoming with the various restructuring options proposed by the lenders,” one source with knowledge of all the discussions said.

The source, who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak officially on the issue, confirmed that the consortium of banks have not been involved in the ownership of Etisalat Nigeria and therefore was not in a position to transfer or retain any percentage of Etisalat Nigeria shares.

Bloomberg reported on 20th June, 2017 that Etisalat Group, the parent company of Etisalat Nigeria announced a filing to Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in Abu Dhabi, UAE of its intention to pull out of their operations in Nigeria without meeting their obligations.

Sources close to the banks noted that the telecoms firm’s precarious position and the response of the parent company amounts to abandoning the company’s monumental obligations in Nigeria, which includes a N541 billion syndicated and bilateral loans approved by 13 Nigerian banks, now delinquent as well as taxes and levies due to the Federal Government of Nigeria and regulatory agencies.

They also cited other third party creditors such as vendors, service providers and contractors and the apparent disregard for the commercial contracts entered into Nigeria as worrying signs of the parent company’s disdain to meeting its obligations.

We were reliably informed that while other operators sold their towers and utilized the entire sales proceeds to repay their loans, Etisalat Nigeria in 2014 sold its towers and did not apply the sales proceeds to repay its loan.

The telecoms firm had been under pressure to repay the loan in the wake of the dropping value of the Naira but has so far failed to either reach any agreement with the consortium or attract fresh capital injection from its parent company, the Etisalat Group.

Hyundai Kona: World Premiere of an Urban SUV for Active Lifestyles

Hyundai has unveiled the latest vehicle in its expanding line-up of stylish SUVs, the Kona compact SUV. With a strong, impactful design and uncompromised individuality, the Kona is designed to appeal to modern customers with active lifestyles.

The Kona joins Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport in a growing line-up of Hyundai SUVs that feature progressive design with high interior refinement and spaciousness.

“With the Kona, we have created a stylish and highly functional compact SUV, perfectly suited to the needs of customers who pursue challenging, action-filled lifestyles,” said Euisun Chung, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company. “We aim to set new standards for the compact SUV segment, with appealing design, cutting-edge connectivity and class-leading safety features.”

Uncompromised individuality and purposeful character

The Kona offers uncompromised individuality and innovative features, with a bold, daring image that hints at the future design direction of Hyundai Motor’s next generation of SUV models.

High-contrast design elements give the impression of a masculine protective ‘armor’, while futuristic LED lamps create a high-tech look.

Aggressive body styling emphasizes the car’s well-proportioned, dynamic silhouette. Its low and wide stance, long wheelbase and short overhangs ensure sporty, nimble handling, in addition to delivering superior driving stability at high speed. It is also the first SUV to adopt Hyundai’s new signature design feature, the Cascading Grille, featuring a sporty mesh pattern, flanked by exceptional wing-type fenders that dominate the front design.

All-new platform delivers exceptional power, performance and safety

The new Kona is offered with a combination of advanced gasoline and diesel engines of various power outputs – dependent on the market. These include a 2.0-liter MPI Atkinson-cycle engine producing 149PS, the Gamma 1.6T-GDI engine boasting 177PS, and a highly efficient 1.0 T-GDI turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 120PS.

The lightweight body frame has been developed with 51.8% Advanced High Strength Steel to deliver class-leading levels of passive safety. Active safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), which uses the car’s front-facing camera and radar to detect imminent collision and avoid impact or minimize damage by braking autonomously. Three further systems also utilize the front-view camera to boost safety and convenience: Lane Keeping Assist (LKA); High Beam Assist (HBA); and Driver Attention Warning (DAW).

Advanced infotainment and connectivity technology

The Kona boasts a suite of sophisticated technologies, paired with user-friendly functionality to ensure driver and passengers can stay informed and entertained.

The premium infotainment system offers various advanced connectivity features, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay where specified, with a 5-, 7- or 8-inch display (offered as standard or option dependent on the market).

A new Head-Up Display (HUD) projects a virtual image onto the clear glass panel mounted behind the instrument panel to enable the driver to keep his or her eyes on the road.

 

In a first for the segment, the Kona features smartphone wireless charging. Available as an option with all Kona models, customers simply place a compatible smartphone on the wireless charging interface, located in the center console storage, to easily recharge without the need for cables.

Kona Iron Man Special Edition

At the world premiere of the all-new Kona, Hyundai Motor unveiled a special edition that shares the name of Marvel’s heroic and powerful character – Iron Man.

With greater width (+40mm), the Kona Iron Man Special Edition presents a confident stance, while special LEDs are applied to the headlights, which sit beneath a matt gray hood, embellished with red and gold accents.

The Kona Iron Man Special Edition’s dynamic exterior is further complemented by a 19-inch directional wheel badged with an Iron Man Mask in the center, as well as off-road tires 716mm in outside diameter.

The special edition will go on display at Hyundai Motor’s Motorstudio in Seoul, Korea, for a month following its global reveal.

The Kona will go on sale in Korea later this month, followed by North America and Europe.

Customers groan as GTBank’s mobile platform grapples with technical issues!

Something is definitely wrong with Guaranty Trust Bank, and the management of the once-favoured and well-patronized commercial bank had better buckled up in order to avert the imminent fallout of the dangerous situation. For some time now, many customers of the GTBank have been complaining bitterly over a myriad of problems facing the bank, some of which include the closure of some of the banking channels, problems of multiple crediting and debiting etc. especially its much-touted *737# mobile service, where customers can recharge phones, buy data, transfer fund on GTBank account and other banks and also check account balance. The situation is increasingly becoming so embarrassing to many of its customers that some of them, who have had an unpleasant experience of these shoddy and uncomplimentary services, have started voicing out their anger and disappointment at GTBank’s sudden let-down in their much-advertised services and products, despite the humongous amount the bank is claiming to have pumped into giving it an edge over its counterparts in the ever evolving and hi-tech banking sector, which is replete with keen competition. Thus, in the wake of these several anomalies and short comings on the part of the once high-lying and prompt/efficient delivery bank, many of its valued customers across the country and even beyond, have been complaining bitterly, venting their spleen, and voicing out vehemently, even as some have already dumped the bank for better and more preferable ones, while some are only waiting in the wings to follow suit, if the unwholesome situation remains the same. Below are some of the reactions of these customers as posted on several platforms of the social media. The reactions came in torrents, most of which were very uncomplimentary and unsavory to the once well-patronized and frontline second generation bank. Hear them: Handsomecole: ’I long left GTbank, it has over the years become useless in its service delivery’. Passyhansome : ‘GTbank! Do people still patronize them? The bank can frustrate for Africa.’ Andrewkingg : ’Had same issue too!! Fear grip me ohh!! I had to check my mobile app to confirm my money were intact! But GTbank still remains the best bank, I am sure they will fix these issues.’ Oga na First Bank and Diamond Bank be my best oo... Am just using GTbank becos it's my first account I opened. Sincerely, GTbank has lost what made it attractive. They seem to have more customers than they can manage. - Quiverfull Mygeez : ’GTbank has never failed me!! with *737# am good to go!! My personal opinion. Have bin banking with GTBank for over 10yrs’ Allezy 13 has nice words. All banks have their occasional hitches, so I can’t see what the big deal is here. GTB still has one of the best online services! FACT!!.NB: I don’t work for, or in any way affiliated to them. Just that I recognize good service. A GTBank anonymous customer defended it without any bias though. But in a spirited bid to allay the fears of the customers, the bank had on many occasions sent messages to all its customers, notifying them of a planned maintenance duty for many of the times such complaints are made. However, days after the completion of the said maintenance, customers' complaints remain unabated on the bank's social media platforms, with many of the customers still lamenting poor services. What is now baffling GTBank’s customers, and industry watchers alike, is the huge resources that was spent on the technical apps of the the bank’s online business platforms especially the mobile *737# mobile service by the bank. When the platform messes up, those who defend the bank easily get the alibi that efficiency of the service is also subject to phone network.

EU Commission Bars Med View Airline From European Air Space

Barely 24 hours after it held its first Annual General Meeting, the European Commission has added Nigeria’s Med-View Airline to its EU air safety list thereby banning the airline from its airspace.
A statement released by the commission on Tuesday said that a total of 181 airlines have been banned from EU skies.
“Today the European Commission updated the EU air safety list, the list of non-European airlines that do not meet international safety standards, and are therefore subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union,” the statement read.
“Following today’s update, all airlines certified in Benin and Mozambique are cleared from the list, following further improvements to the aviation safety situation in these countries.
“On the other hand, the airlines Med-View (Nigeria), Mustique Airways (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Aviation Company Urga (Ukraine) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) were added to the list due to unaddressed safety deficiencies that were detected by the European aviation safety agency during the assessment for a third country operator authorisation.”
Additional information available on the EU transport and mobility website explained that airlines subjected to operating ban can operate in the EU using leased aircraft of another airline.
“Airlines subjected to an operating ban could be permitted to operate within the European Union by using wet-leased aircraft of an airline which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with.
“The aircraft being used in such operations could be branded as if it belonged to the fleet of the banned airline.”
Medview Airline could not be reached to confirmed the ban as at press time.
Medview Airline began flying the Lagos-Gatwick route on November 20, 2015 with a Boeing 767 aircraft which operated four times a week.
The airline on January 31, 2017 enlisted in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) at 9,750,649,400 units of 50kobo each at N1.50kobo per share.
At the AGM held in Lagos on recently, the Medview Airline CEO, Alhaji Muneer Bankole gave a short-term forecast for the year stating that Medview will acquire three aircraft to strengthen its international operations.
According to him, the aircraft will include a Boeing 777-200 and a 737-800 to strengthen its entry into routes like Dubai.
Bankole further told the shareholders that Medview has acquired four aircraft, owned by the shareholders and not leased.
This he said is part of the airline’s drive to secure its existence.

Weststar Announces the Return of FIAT to Nigeria

It is with great excitement that Weststar Associates Limited, (Authorized General Distributors of Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, & Ram in Nigeria) confirms the arrival of the much-anticipated Italian brand - FIAT in Nigeria. Plans are already in motion to officially launch the first model to return – the ‘FIAT Tipo’. This makes Weststar also the authorized distributor for FIAT and FIAT Professional automobiles in the country.

FIAT is majorly known as automakers of luxurious high performance sports cars such as Ferrari and Maserati. In October, 2014, Fiat and Chrysler Group of automobiles formed a merger to become FIAT Chrysler Automobiles. This new alliance paved way for access to newer technologies and advanced engineering solutions. In 2016, Ferrari was signed off as a separate entity in order for FCA to focus more on manufacturing city cars.

This same Italian heritage is seen in the FIAT Tipo, with its unique features such as versatility, large interior space and compact exterior dimensions. The name - Tipo is a celebrated designation that FIAT has used many times during it’s over one century of history. The Tipo is one of the models to carry the coveted name of which nearly two million were produced from 1988 to 1995 and which was first awarded "Car of the Year” in 1989.
“money.

The FIAT Tipo fits perfectly in its segment and will be officially presented before the month ends. The Tipo offers high appeal as it comes with a vast variety of standard options. Its Italian heritage promises comfort, quality and versatility. With the FIAT Tipo, you do not need much to get a lot. Thus, it serves as a wonderful option for Nigerians even as we have already put in place, an excellent maintenance culture offered by our aftersales team” – Stavros Diamantidis, General Manager, FCA group, Weststar Associates Limited.



The four-door sedan version of the FIAT Tipo is one of the first models which will be exclusively available at Weststar Associates Limited, Authorized General Distributors of Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, FIAT and FIAT professional in Nigeria.
We are thrilled about this development as Nigerians can now enjoy real value for their