Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline and West Africa’s largest carrier, has said that the landmark interline agreement with Emirates, one of the world’s premier airlines will enhance travel options and connectivity for Air Peace customers, providing seamless access to international destinations via Dubai while increasing accessibility to key cities within Nigeria.

Through this interline agreement, Air Peace customers flying from Dubai to Lagos on Emirates can now conveniently connect to multiple domestic destinations, including Asaba, Akure, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, and Owerri. Business and corporate travelers will also benefit from streamlined access to major economic hubs such as Abuja, Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Warri, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a key player in Africa’s aviation industry.

The partnership expands Air Peace’s global reach, allowing its customers to seamlessly book multi-destination flights under a single ticketing system. Passengers will enjoy hassle-free transfers, improved baggage handling, and enhanced travel convenience, reinforcing Air Peace’s commitment to delivering top-tier service.

Speaking on the agreement, Chief Operating Officer, Air Peace Limited, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olajide said, “We are excited about this strategic interline partnership between Air Peace and Emirates, which is a significant step towards enhancing global connectivity for Nigerian travelers. It aligns with our mission to provide seamless, world-class travel experiences while expanding our route network and international reach”.

She explained that the collaboration not only expands Air Peace’s international reach but also offers Nigerians arriving from Dubai seamless access to key domestic destinations, including Asaba, Akure, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, and Owerri. “By improving ease of travel, we are boosting business, tourism, and trade opportunities, further strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and the UAE”. The Air Peace COO insists that the partnership further reinforces Nigeria’s aviation sector by enhancing connectivity, efficiency and positioning the country as a critical hub for regional and global travel. “At Air Peace, we remain committed to providing greater connectivity, convenience, and world-class service for our passengers”.

Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates, Adnan Kazim, said, “Emirates is a steadfast partner of Nigeria’s tourism, trade and aviation sectors. This partnership with Air Peace is the next step on this journey, bolstering our connectivity and introducing more travel options for corporate leisure, and travellers visiting friends and family to and from Nigeria. We look forward to deepening our strategic partnership with Air Peace in the future to enhance the benefits for our mutual customers.”

The interline agreement is set to bolster Nigeria’s aviation sector by enhancing airport operations and increasing passenger traffic. Strengthening Lagos as a major hub, the agreement supports the broader goal of elevating the country’s aviation infrastructure, fostering competition, and improving overall service quality.

The enhanced connectivity facilitated by this partnership will support Nigeria’s economy by making travel easier for business professionals, investors, and tourists. Increased accessibility to international markets will stimulate trade, attract foreign investment, and create new opportunities for job growth, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as a leading economic force in Africa.

Air Peace remains committed to broadening its network and elevating service quality, ensuring that customers enjoy greater convenience, efficiency, and flexibility when traveling. This interline agreement is a significant step forward in achieving those objectives.

Customers can book their travel now on flyairpeace.com

Top officials in the federal civil service have commenced intensive lobby as the federal government shops for new Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, as well as two federal permanent secretaries.

A statement by Eno Olotu, Director, Information and Public Relations in Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, on Monday said the two vacant positions of permanent secretary arise from the recent retirement of the permanent secretary from Oyo State and an impending vacancy in the North-West Geopolitical Zone.

Olotu added that the position of the Accountant-General of the Federation will become vacant upon the retirement of the incumbent in March 2025.

She said that to ensure the appointment of only qualified, credible, and competent individuals, the appointment process will follow a structured and multi-tiered evaluation, as approved by the President as a measure of reaffirming its commitment to a transparent, merit-driven, and rigorous selection process.

President Tinubu in December last year, in what appears as a policy reversal, directed the outgoing Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein to continue in office till 7 March 2025.

This followed the controversy that trailed the announcement of Mr Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the new AGF by President Bola Tinubu.

Our correspondent had also reported that there was tension in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation(OAGF) Abuja, following the appointment of Mr Ogunjimi as the new acting AGF by the President.

Ogunjimi’s appointment was announced by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga in a statement on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, as a result of the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. Madein which commenced on December 7th.

However, in a letter from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), Mrs Madein was asked to reverse her pre-retirement leave notice and continue in office till March 2025.

However, the Monday night circular said that the appointment process is open to all serving Grade Level 17 officers in the mainstream Federal Civil Service who have held their current position for at least two years and have expressed interest in participating.

Candidates must meet several eligibility criteria, including screening and confirmation by their respective permanent secretaries and the Accountant-General of the Federation to ensure they are not under any disciplinary procedures.

The circular said that the list of eligible candidates will undergo verification screening by a Committee of Permanent Secretaries, under observation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), to ensure eligibility.

The candidates will also undertake an asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

To further ensure the selection of individuals with impeccable ethical standing, candidates will undergo anti-corruption clearance by the DSS, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the ICPC.

“The process will include a written examination conducted at a top Federal Government security agency.

“The setting of the examination questions and marking will be overseen by a body of serving and retired permanent secretaries, with observers from credible civil society organizations, the organized private sector, professional associations, DSS, and ICPC.

“In the subsequent phase of the selection process, candidates will be tested for ICT proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. ICPC and DSS will also observe this stage.

“The final appointment will rest with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who will consider the best-performing candidates based on their performance throughout the selection process,” the circular reads in parts

Access Bank’s top executives reportedly avoided arrest on Wednesday, February 5, when security agencies attempted to execute a court-ordered bench warrant at the bank’s headquarters in connection with an alleged unauthorized use of collateral property.

According to emerging reports monitored by Society Reporters, the bank’s Legal Officer informed law enforcement that CEO Bolaji Agbede, MD Roosevelt Ogbonna, and the Company Secretary were unavailable during the February 5th operation.

Video footage has surfaced showing the interaction between bank officials and prosecutors. The Legal Officers later accompanied police to Alagbon station, where they reportedly promised the defendants would appear at the next hearing scheduled for February 24th, 2025.

The controversy centres around a N 333 million loan granted by then-Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) to Balmoral International Limited and its managing director, Adejare Adegbenro. MOB Integrated Services Limited had allegedly provided their Bourdillon Road property in Ikoyi as collateral for this loan. However, Access Bank is accused of subsequently using the same property as collateral for an unrelated N1 billion facility without MOB Integrated Services’ knowledge or consent.

The bench warrant was issued after bank officials failed to appear for their January 20th arraignment. This latest development adds another layer to the complex legal battle over the alleged misuse of collateral in loan agreements worth over N1.3 billion.