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Stanbic IBTC Tasks Nigerian Investors To Tap Into AfCFTA To Boost Intra-Africa Trade

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Stanbic IBTC Bank- Investors King

Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, a subsidiary of Standard Bank Group, has urged Nigerian investors and business owners to harness and maximize the business opportunities that are inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

This will help boost intra-Africa trade beyond the current level of 17 percent as well as promote industrialization and the economic growth of the continent.

Wole Adeniyi, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, made the call at the African Continental Free Trade Area webinar organised by Stanbic IBTC themed: “AfCFTA State of Play: Understanding Potential and Maximising Opportunities for the Customer.”

Wole stated that multiple studies have shown that the increase in trade has a direct impact on reducing unemployment and poverty in societies, and noted that the AfCFTA agreement presents numerous trade opportunities that are both exciting and promising not just for the continent but specifically for the Nigerian market.

He emphasised Stanbic IBTC’s readiness to leverage the trade opportunities of the AfCFTA agreement to unlock business opportunities for its clients in the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector as well as its corporate clients.

While delivering his keynote address on the theme of the event, the guest speaker, Bamidele Ayemibo, lead consultant at 3T Impex Trade Academy, pointed out that with the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement, Africa has the opportunity of becoming the largest market in the world with a population of 1.2 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.

Bamidele underscored that the goal of AfCFTA is to create a single market for Africa and encourage the free movement of goods and services thereby facilitating trade transactions.

He pointed out that Nigerian customers can take advantage of the non-sensitive list, the sensitive list and the exclusive list in the agreement while engaging in various trade transactions with other African countries.

According to him, out of about 5,000 Harmonised System (HS) codes or products in the world that fall under the non-sensitive list, 90 percent will be duty-free and Nigerian customers can take advantage of this.

He added that countries are allowed to liberalize their products under the sensitive list within a period of 10 years while the exclusive list enables countries not to liberalize their products in order to protect that sector of their economy.

Bamidele stressed that the Federal Government is currently developing a portal where Nigerian customers and investors can trade with other countries under the AfCFTA agreement.

He further explained that AfCFTA presents a huge potential for Nigerian manufactured products on the African continent because Nigeria produces about 90 percent of such products that are imported by other African countries.

While appreciating Stanbic IBTC for the bold step it has taken to educate its clients and investors about the benefits of AfCFTA, Ayemibo added that information enables agreements such as the AfCFTA to thrive, lamenting that previous agreements like the Ecowas Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) collapsed due to lack of adequate information.

He also added that with its vast footprint across Africa through Standard Bank Group, Stanbic IBTC can reach out to its numerous customers, educate them on the benefits of the AfCTFA agreement and facilitate their trade and investment requirements under the Agreement.

The African Continental Free Trade Area was created by the agreement that was first signed by 44 African states in March 2018. Nigeria signed the AfCFTA in July 2019 and deposited its instruments of ratification in December 2020 becoming the 34th African country to fully ratify the agreement.

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Delta Air Lines Flight Diverts to Togo After Passenger Dies Midair

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Delta Air Lines

A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Lagos was diverted to Togo following the midair death of a yet-to-be-identified passenger.

The unfortunate incident occurred approximately three hours before the flight’s scheduled arrival in Lagos, prompting the crew to address a health emergency onboard.

Despite initial intentions to proceed to Lagos, adverse weather conditions, including heavy thunderstorms, forced the pilots to divert the plane to Lome, Togo.

The flight, Delta Air Lines’ A330-200 aircraft, was carrying 215 passengers at the time. Upon landing in Lome, the aircraft underwent refueling procedures and awaited clearance amidst the inclement weather.

Subsequently, after an additional delay in Togo, the flight resumed its journey and safely landed in Lagos, albeit approximately eight and a half hours behind schedule.

Passengers onboard expressed their concerns and frustrations, particularly regarding the handling of the medical emergency and the subsequent diversion.

Social media platforms buzzed with accounts of the ordeal, with one passenger recounting the unfortunate sequence of events, including the midair death and the necessity of an emergency landing due to fuel depletion.

Meanwhile, an airplane operated by Dana Airline veered off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The affected MD-83 aircraft, registration 5N-BKI, carried 83 passengers. Dana Air spokesman Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa confirmed all passengers and crew disembarked safely without injuries.

Ezenwa, in a statement, said: “Dana Air regrets to inform the public of a runway incursion involving one of our aircraft, registration number 5N BKI, which was flying from Abuja to Lagos today, 23/04/24.

“We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.

“We have also updated the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the incident, and the aircraft involved has been grounded by our maintenance team for further investigation.

“We wish to thank the airport authorities, our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident, and our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.”

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ARISE News Channel Goes Global: Launches in Nine Southern African Countries

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Arise News

ARISE News Channel, a prominent Nigerian cable news network, has reached another significant milestone in its journey to become a global media powerhouse.

The channel has officially gone live in nine Southern African countries, including South Africa, Angola, and Botswana.

This expansion was made possible through a partnership with Multichoice/DSTV, with ARISE News Channel now available on Channel 416.

Alongside South Africa, Angola, and Botswana, the channel is now accessible to viewers in Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In a statement released by the Chief of Staff to Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of ARISE News Channel, Fauziya Ali Mohammed, it was revealed that the channel’s presence now spans 54 African countries.

Mohammed explained that ARISE News Channel is committed to delivering high-quality news coverage across the continent, showcasing various facets of African life, including business, politics, technology, commerce, science, sports, show business, and fashion.

ARISE News Channel, which celebrated its 11th anniversary earlier this year, has earned acclaim for its Emmy-winning programming.

It has become a leading broadcaster in Africa, offering audiences a diverse range of content while projecting the best of Africa’s culture and people to the world.

Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of ARISE News Channel, Nduka Obaigbena, expressed his excitement about the channel’s expansion into Southern Africa, emphasizing its commitment to promoting African narratives globally.

Obaigbena highlighted ARISE News Channel’s dedication to showcasing the continent’s potential and celebrating its achievements on the global stage.

The channel operates around the clock from studios located in Lagos, Abuja, Johannesburg, Cape Town, London, and New York.

Its coverage extends beyond traditional broadcasting platforms, reaching viewers across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and the United States through various channels and streaming services.

With its latest expansion into Southern Africa, ARISE News Channel continues to solidify its position as a leading voice in African media, shaping narratives and fostering dialogue on issues of regional and global significance.

As the channel continues to grow its global footprint, it remains dedicated to providing audiences with insightful and impactful journalism that reflects the dynamism and diversity of the African continent.

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Air Peace Flight Delayed, Passengers Stranded After Failed Promise of Hotel Stay

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Passengers aboard an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Owerri found themselves in a state of disarray and frustration after a series of delays and unmet promises left them stranded without accommodations.

What was supposed to be a routine flight scheduled to depart Abuja at 4:30 PM and arrive in Owerri at 5:30 PM turned into a nightmare as the flight was delayed until 6:18 PM due to a reported lack of a pilot.

However, midway through the journey, passengers were informed that the flight couldn’t proceed to Owerri because the airport there would close by 6:40 PM.

The flight was forced to return to Abuja, where passengers endured further uncertainty as they waited for over 20 minutes to receive any communication from the airline. Eventually, they were informed of plans to provide a bus to transport them to a hotel for accommodation.

However, this promise was not fulfilled, leaving passengers stranded and scattered around the airport.

One passenger, who had already experienced delays with another airline earlier in the day, expressed frustration at the lack of accountability and protection for travelers.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by passengers in Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector and raises questions about the adequacy of regulations to safeguard passengers’ rights.

Attempts to reach Air Peace for comment on the situation were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

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