Gozzylous Blog

EMIRATES has rolled out special programming for children and is offering more than ever before for families travelling with youngsters this summer and throughout the year. With the busy summer holidays in full swing, Skytrax’s World Best Airline, is pulling out all the stops to keep the young ones entertained both in the air and on the ground. In the 2013/14 financial year, Emirates carried 2.3 million youngsters, demonstrating its strong family following. Even before departure, complimentary baby strollers and changing tables are available within Emirates’ dedicated Terminal 3 and there are play areas equipped toys within Emirates’ exclusive lounges. Priority boarding is provided to families with young children. But it’s on board when the real fun starts. The dedicated children’s channels on the popular ice entertainment system brings an array of cartoons, interactive games, podcasts and CDs. There are currently more than 60 children’s movies on ice, including the entire Harry Pot...

With effect from October I, 2014, South African Airways (SAA) will comply with new regulations relating to children who travel to and from South Africa. These new regulations were promulgated in terms of the South African Immigration Amendment Act of 2010 which define children as persons under the age of 18. “These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of children and should thus be welcomed,” says SAA’s spokesperson, Mr Tlali Tlali. “As fromOctober 1, we will not be able to check in all travellers who cannot produce the necessary documentation in terms of this Act.” In terms of the new regulations, when parents are travelling with a child they need to produce an unabridged birth certificate that shows the names of both parents. In cases where the certificate is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a sworn translation issued by a competent authority in the country concerned. When a child travels with only one parent, additional documents should includ...

For women, solo travel – business or pleasure – can bring about adventurous and daring experiences. We use it as an opportunity to explore on our terms and meet new people. However, we often get caught up in the Eat, Pray, Love moment, and let down our guard to potential danger or mishaps. Any business or leisure trip can be an unforgettable, positive one if we maintain a balance of caution and risk-taking. To get the most out of your next solo getaway, we turned to some of Amadeus’ brave road warriors for their safety tips that any traveller (male or female) can use. Tip 1: “When I’m entering my hotel room, as I open the door, I yell, ‘Hi, honey, I’m back!’ to ward off any potential stalkers.” –Jessica Labaire, OTA Marketing Manager Tip 2: “When the front desk clerk asks ‘how many room keys would you like?’ I always say “two” – even though I only plan to use one. This way, a potential lurker/stalker nearby isn’t tipped off to the fact that I’m traveling alone.” – Kristen Goldman, I...

One of the most respected voices in the Nigerian aviation industry and the President of Aviation Round Table, ART; Capt. Dele Ore has warned the management of Arik Air to beware of the antics of operators on the United Arab Emirate, UAE, route Dubai. Ore in an interview with our correspondent in Lagos described airlines flying the route as ‘predators’ that would do everything possible to frustrate the airline out of the route. At the moment, Emirates and Etihad Airways fly directly from their bases in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Emirates enjoys about 21 frequencies into multiple entry points into Nigeria, while Etihad flies twice daily into the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos. In all, the two airlines enjoy about 34 frequencies weekly into Nigeria. Apart from the duo, several other international airlines fly into the route from Nigeria after a stop over in the home countries. Airlines like Qatar, Egypt Air, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and Asky among o...

Indigenous carrier, Arik Air, is to commence flight operations into Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its international route expansion programme. The announcement, which was made by Arik Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Arumemi Ikhide, was indeed welcome news to numerous Nigerian travellers who ply the lucrative Lagos-Dubai route dominated over the years by Arab airlines. Aviation industry analysts had faulted the monopoly of that route by Mid-Easst airlines while welcome the entry of an indigenous carrier to ply the route to increase the options available to Nigerian travelers. Ikhide had told journalists that services would commence July this year from the Murtala International Airport in Lagos with a stopover at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport where other passengers would be picked up for the final journey to Dubai, UAE. He said the launch of flights by Arik Air into Dubai would make it the first Nigerian carrier to offer services between Abuja and the UAE. “Dubai ...

NCAA logo The Director of Consumer Protection Directorate of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Adamu Abdullahi, has said that bad weather, technical problems and logistics issues have made it inevitable for airlines to delay and cancel flights. He however pointed out that the airlines must crave passengers understanding by carrying them along. Adamu stated this at the weekend in Lagos when Arik Air offered four of its passengers, selected through a raffle draw, an all-expenses paid trip to Brazil. The four lucky winners were picked from the tickets of many loyal customers at a draw that was overseen by the music icon, Ice Prince. The names of the lucky winners are Onuegbu Chima Godwin, Fashawe Oluwayemisi, Aluko Bade and Samuel Bayode. The airline said the gesture was to say thank you to its customers and to give back to them, adding that there is plan to sustain the programme and expand it in future. The head of flight operations and deputy ma...

British Airways prepares to increase the number of flights it operates to Newcastle. With two additional frequencies between London Heathrow and Newcastle, the airline now offers 41 flights each week. Operated by an A320, the extra services are due to come into effect on June 2. British Airway’s head of UK&I sales and marketing, Richard Tams, commented: “Our route between London and Newcastle is at the very heart of our domestic network. “The number of flights on offer means customers can connect through London to our entire network of destinations, offering great opportunities for both leisure and business travellers.” Aviation development director at Newcastle International Airport, Chris Sanders, noted: “Heathrow connectivity is very important to this region.” “These extra flights will help make it easier to reach southeast England, as well as shortening journey times for some connections through Heathrow.” Source: www.routes-news.com/news

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Wednesday fixed May 17 to 31 for the conduct of 2014 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) through Computer Based Test (CBT). This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Fabian Gabriel, the Head of Public Relations of the board, and issued to newsmen in Abuja. According to the statement, the CBT will take place in over 163 centres in Nigeria and abroad, saying the date was sacrosanct. The statement also described CBT as the best mode of examination. It, however, urged the candidates to reprint their e-slip in the event they missed or misplaced their schedules.“Over 616,000 candidates are expected to sit for the examination with over 250 prisoners in Kaduna and Ikoyi prisons,” it added. “The CBT remains the best mode as it provides better platform for the candidates to articulate their educational pursuit.“It eliminates result black-out or incomplete results and eliminates examination malpractice and enhances prompt ...

…Receives AOC from NCAA President of AZMAN Air Services Limited, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa has disclosed that the airline would start its flight operations tomorrow (Thursday). Alhaji Yunusa said the airline would begin its flight on Kano to Lagos by 7:30am, then Lagos to Abuja and Abuja to Kaduna. He stated that the airline would commence flight operations with two Boeing 737 classic. Speaking with journalists while receiving the Air Operators Certificate, AOC, at the NCAA annex, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Yunusa stated that the airline’s inflight services would be very good as passengers will be treated with care. Alhaji Yunusa expressed appreciation to the management of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for the granting them the AOC. Similarly, the acting director general of NCAA, Engr. Benedict Adeyileka has tasked the management of AZMAN Air to ensure safety at all times as well as to protect and make their passengers more comfortable during the course...

Arik Air, West and Central Africa’s largest airline, said it has responded to passengers demand by increasing its flights frequency from Lagos-Monrovia (Liberia) and Lagos-Luanda (Angola) respectively. The Lagos-Monrovia service has been increased from three to four weekly flights using a Boeing 737-700 aircraft. The new flight will operate on Saturdays, adding to the existing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays services. All four weekly flights are operated via Accra with a fifth freedom traffic rights approval facilitating traffic between these two cities as well. Similarly, the twice weekly Lagos-Luanda service has been increased to three weekly flights. The service will now operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The outbound flight will depart Lagos at 9:30pm (local time) and arrive in Luanda at 12:35am (local time) while the inbound flight will depart Luanda at 02:00am (local time) and arrive in Lagos at 05:05am (local time). Commenting on the additi...

A start up airline, Astral Aviation, has become a member of African Airlines Association (AFRAA). AFRAA has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Astral Aviation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Sanjeev Gadhia, said: “We are truly excited in being the first cargo airline to become a member of AFRAA which is a prestigious association of African airlines. Astral has benefited immensely from AFRAA’s initiatives such as the Joint Fuel Purchase Programme in addition to the training programs which has provided considerable cost savings. The airline is poised to work closely with AFRAA on matters relating to cargo with the objective of lobbying for the liberalisation and promotion of air cargo in Africa and to advocate against the high cost of cargo related fees and taxes in the continent.” Secretary General, AFRAA, Dr Elijah Chingosho, said: “We are excited to welcome Astral Aviation into the AFRAA fraternity as this will enable us to tap into the huge experience and expertise of this carrier...

  Relatives and friends of the abducted Nigerian schoolgirls have identified some of them from a video released by Boko Haram Islamist militants. The footage showed about 130 of more than 200 girls who were kidnapped a month ago from their boarding school in Borno state reciting Koranic verses. Boko Haram's leader says the captured girls who have not converted to Islam can be swapped for jailed fighters. Nigeria's government says it is considering all options. A community leader in Chibok told the BBC that school friends had identified three of the girls in the video. A mother had also recognised her daughter from the girls who appear in a group wearing hijabs, the chairman of the parents-teachers association at the school told the Reuters news agency "The video got parents apprehensive again after watching it but the various steps taken by the governments and the coming of the foreign troops is boosting our spirit, even though I have not seen the any one sold...

Boko Haram released a new video on Monday claiming to show the missing schoolgirls, alleging the teenagers had converted to Islam and would not be released until all militant prisoners were freed.The group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, speaks on the video obtained by AFP for 17 minutes before showing what he said were the girls, in Muslim dress and praying in an undisclosed rural location. A total of 276 girls were abducted on April 14 from the northeastern town of Chibok, in Borno state, which has a sizeable Christian community. Some 223 are still missing.The footage shows about 130 girls in black and grey full-length hijabs sitting on scrubland near trees, reciting the first chapter of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, and holding their palms upwards in prayer.Three of the girls are interviewed. Two say they were Christian and had converted while one said she was Muslim. Most of the group were seated. The girls appeared calm and one said that they had not been harm...

  Arik Air Major Nigerian carrier, Arik Air, has alerted air travellers on the new security measures put in place at Nigerian airports by the federal government and therefore advised all intending air passengers to set out early for their flights to avoid loss of travel time. The new security measures, which took effect from May 1 are meant to improve security at the nation’s airports, especially the international ones. The new security measures extends the profiling of passengers by operatives and this would take longer time as every passenger is subjected to detailed checks. Arik Air warned passengers that the government had put extra security measures in place at all airports and this could cause traffic snarl at the airport roads leading to unforeseen delays or missed flights for travellers. The new security measures being implemented by the government had led to visible presence of more security personnel across the nation’s airports. Passenger...

         

O N the heels of the outbreak of the Ebola Haemorrhagic fever in Guinea, the Federal Ministry of Health has issued an alert urging persons with high fever, headache, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and bleeding and especially with a history of travel to Guinea, Sierra Leone or Liberia, to report to the health authorities at once. Already, an alert has been issued to all 36 State Commissioners of Health to mobilise against the disease, while the Federal Ministry of Health is working closely with the West African Health Organization, WAHO, and the World Health Organization, WHO, to deploy experts to Guinea on request to strengthen its response capacity. Disclosing this in Abuja in a statement, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, Mr. Dan Nwome, said theapex Ministry admonished the general public to take measures to avert the outbreak or spread of the disease. Noting that Nigeria has capacity to diagnose the disease if it appears here, Nwome said th...

Following the increase in child mortality in the country, health professionals have said that breast milk remains the best way to ensure child’s healthy life and reduce child mortalities. According to them, exclusive breast milk during the first six months of a child’s life and for as long as possible in combination with nourishing complementary foods. When breast mike is not possible, infant formula is a healthier alternative to choices such as cows’ milk or rice water. They also said that infantile colic is a self-limited condition that deserves treatment because it could represent an early traumatic insult for the intestine and could be the early expression of atopic disease, gastrointestinal disorder and psychological problems later in child’s life. They informed infantile colic is characterised by inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy infant, accompanied by painful expression, flushing, distended abdomen and flatulence. Colic usually starts in the first few weeks of life a...

EVERYONE knows that mushrooms are a nutritious and low-calorie addition to a meal but now new research suggests they could also combat cancer. An extract from a Japanese mushroom kills the sexually transmitted virus HPV that can cause cervical cancer. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common, and highly contagious, infection that affects skin and the moist membrane linings of the body, for example, in the cervix, mouth and throat. More than three quarters of all women acquire the virus during their lives and some strains can cause cervical cancer. But American research found the extract active hexose correlated compound (AHCC)- which is found in shiitake mushrooms- may play a role in preventing HPV-related cancers. In a study using mice, AHCC led to the eradication of HPV within 90 days. It also decreased the rate of cervical tumour growth. Associate professor, Dr. Judith Smith, of the University of Texas Health Science Center Medical School, said, “the result...

UNICEF has announced that an Ebola Outbreak has killed at least 59 People in Guinea. The epidemic has hit the capital city Conakry. “At least 59 out of 80 who contracted Ebola across the West African country have died so far” said UNICEF in a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Ebola is spreading FAST to other West African countries. There are currently no known treatments or vaccines for Ebola, a viral hemorrhagic fever that kills up to 90 percent of those who become infected. The virus spread through direct contact with blood, faeces or sweat, sexual contact and unprotected handing of contaminated corpses. “This outbreak is particularly devastating because medical staff are among the first victims … hindering the response and threatening normal care in a country already lacking in medical personnel,” revealed UNICEF. Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe and often deadly illness that can occur in humans and primates (e.g. monkeys, gorillas). Ebola hemorrhagic...