By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The indefinite strike embarked upon by labour unions in the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) has been suspended.

The industrial action was called off on Thursday after a meeting with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo.

Recall that on Tuesday, employees of weather forecast agency protested against the management of NiMET, saying they were being neglected.

Their action disrupted flight operations, especially at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where they chanted slogans such as No weather, no flights and Fly at your own risk.

They accused NiMET of withholding important documents, ignored requests to include omitted staff in past payments, and neglected key training programs in favour of executive retreats.

The aggrieved workers in different unions claimed that NiMet’s failure to meet their demands left them with no choice but to withdraw all services indefinitely, effective April 22, until further notice.

In a letter signed on Monday by the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical, and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), the workers accused NiMet of refusing to negotiate or implement agreed financial allowances, including wage awards, peculiar allowances, and outstanding payments from the 2019 minimum wage.

Easter is almost here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to escape the everyday hustle and embark on a memorable adventure. Whether you’re craving some ‘chilling’ time, quality ‘family’ time, or a ‘pepper dem’ getaway, Nigeria offers endless possibilities for exploration. And the best part? Travelling locally has never been easier or more affordable.

Whether you’re a ‘newbie’ traveller or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered with essential hacks that will make your trip a breeze. Say goodbye to stress and hello to smooth sailing as you navigate your Easter getaway like a true travel expert.

Planning your trip is like packing your suitcase – essential, not optional

Just like you wouldn’t leave home without your power-bank (just in case!), don’t head off on a quick trip without a plan. A little prep can save you time, money, and stress — from booking flights and sorting transport, to packing light and right.

Nigeria has endless ways to travel. Flying with local airlines like Air Peace or Ibom Air is quick and budget-friendly, while renting a car gives you the freedom to explore scenic routes like the drive to Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls or the journey to Obudu Cattle Ranch. Not into driving? Buses like Peace Mass or God is Good are easy and affordable. And for a truly luxurious experience, you could even consider a chartered flight – if you’re balling!

Travel like a pro: The art of smart packing

Packing smartly is a crucial travel hack that can save both time and money. Amelia Campher recently shared on TikTok how she organised her hair, beauty, makeup, and personal accessories into different vanity cases and toiletry bags from Temu. Each one perfectly stores her daily essentials, keeping everything neat and accessible. She excitedly told her followers, “This is your sign to buy these bags!” Her clever packing strategy ensures that she’s ready for any trip without unnecessary clutter or stress.

Take Jasmin’s experience, for example. After getting hit with extra carry-on fees on a previous flight, she decided to be smarter about her upcoming family trip. In her search for a solution, she found the perfect backpack on Temu for just under ₦40k. Ticking all the boxes, it avoided extra carry-on fees and allowed her to efficiently pack 16 items plus a makeup bag. When they arrived at the airport, Jasmin’s family breezed through check-in with no issues, their backpacks meeting size requirements perfectly. No extra charges, no stress; just a smooth start to their unforgettable five-day family trip.

Backpacks aren’t just ideal for air travel – they’re also perfect for road trips. Whether you’re cramming your car with family and their belongings or flying high, packing smart and light is essential. A compact, well-organised backpack can make your journey easier, no matter the mode of transport.

To avoid unexpected charges when flying within Nigeria this Easter, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with airline baggage policies; while Economy Class typically permits 15kg to 20kg of checked luggage, and Premium Economy or Business Class allows up to 30kg, always verify specific weight limits with your chosen airline to prevent costly excess baggage fees, especially if you plan on packing more than the standard allowance.

No passport needed: Pack your bags for a Naija Detty Easter

Why travel halfway across the world when Nigeria has it all? This Easter, skip the long-haul and discover the treasures on your doorstep. From the buzzing streets of Lagos to the ancient city of Benin and the serene hills of Jos, unforgettable adventures are just a short trip away.

By travelling locally, you’re not only creating new memories — you’re also supporting local tourism and helping grow our economy. With so many destinations to explore, there’s something for every kind of traveller. So pack your bags, plan smartly, and make this Easter your best Naija Detty holiday yet.

The latest analysis from Astons reveals that online search interest in Donald Trump’s US Gold Card has rapidly dwindled in the days following the President’s announcement, while interest in European Golden Visa programmes has remained steadfast.

The US President has announced plans to introduce a “Gold Card” visa scheme through which he hopes wealthy foreigners will invest at least $5m in the US economy in exchange for what Trump calls “Green Card privileges“.

Astons has analysed global Google search trend data* for terms related to Golden Visas in the days and weeks following Trump’s announcement and found that while there was an initial flurry in search interest, this quickly dwindled. And even at its peak,  it never surpassed the interest garnered by the Golden Visa programmes offered by Spain and Greece.

In the 10 days immediately following Trump’s Gold Card announcement, the online search interest score for the term ‘US golden visa’ averaged out at 27.90. Meanwhile, the term ‘US gold card’ scored 24.10, while ‘Trump golden visa’ scored 22.20.

During the same time frame, search interest in European Golden Visas was significantly stronger. ‘Spain golden visa’ scored 38.90, while interest in ‘Greece golden visa’ was scored at 36.50.

However, after this initial 10 days following the announcement, interest in Trump’s offering rapidly decline, as during the subsequent 10-day period,  search interest in ‘US gold card’ fell by -82.6%, interest in ‘Trump golden visa’ fell by -76.1%, and interest in ‘US golden visa’ fell by -55.6%.

At the same time, interest in European golden visa programmes remained steadfast.

In fact, interest in ‘Greece golden visa’ increased by +1.1%, while interest in ‘Spain golden visa’ remained unchanged at 38.90.

Astons Business Development Director and Head of Astons Cyprus Office, Denis Kravchenko, commented:

“Donald Trump’s plan to introduce what is essentially a residency by investment program that, apparently, provides a quick path for citizenship to the US has understandably generated a surge in interest and speculation. But the $5m price tag is likely going to be far too high to result in a large enough level of uptake for it to reduce the US’s national debt as it is intended to do.

It is also possible that this new programme could become more popular than America’s existing EB-5 visa programme which already offers green cards to those who are willing to invest between $800,000–$1m into the US economy, so doubts around investors now being willing to pay a substantially higher price for residency are well-founded.

Should Trump decide to scrap the EB-5, one of the world’s oldest residency by investment programmes having been introduced by President George H. W. Bush under the Immigration Act of 1990, it will be all the more surprising given that 2024 saw 5,000 applications for the programme, marking an annual uplift of 85%.

It remains unclear whether Trump’s program will offer any substantial advantages—such as expedited processing – currently, the EB-5 path to a green card takes between one and ten years depending on nationality with the absence of stringent background checks—to motivate investors to commit more funds.

Trump may face further challenges due to there being other countries in the world that offer far more accessible programmes. Investors can, for example, qualify for Maltese citizenship through exceptional naturalisation for an investment of around 1 million euros, for which an investor can obtain citizenship to an EU member state in an average of 1.5 years without the need for permanent relocation.

Then there are the multitude of European Golden Visa programmes that are also far more budget-friendly than Trump’s new initiative. Hungary launched a new residency program in summer 2024, requiring a minimum investment of at least 250,000 euros,  and Portugal’s offer starts at a minimum investment of 500,000 euros.

However, it’s Greece’s Golden Visa opportunities that are proving most popular of all,

Despite the entry investment threshold recently being raised, it is still possible to obtain residency by purchasing property for just 250,000 euros. Somewhat ironically, it’s young Americans who are driving the recent surge in demand for Greek Golden Visas which, in 2024, set a record, issuing 17,194 visas (based on 11 months of data).”