Travel/Tourism
South African Airways Lightens Spirits of Less Privilege in Nigeria
………..Holds Exclusive Movie Viewing for Arrows of God Orphanage
By Dipo Olowookere
In the spirit of the festive season, South African Airways has demonstrated unusual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by bringing smiles to the faces of more than 70 Arrows of God Orphanage kids in Lagos.
South African Airways treated the Arrows of God Orphanage kids to an exclusive movie viewing at the Silverbird Cinemas in Lagos in addition to loads of gifts for each kid and the entire orphanage.
The orphanage kids watched and enjoyed exclusively, 2016 Walt Disney blockbuster animated adventure movie, ‘Moana’ – a story about a spirited teenager who sails out on a mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfil her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana meets the once mighty demi-god Maui, and together they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.
The kids enjoyed the movie in company of assorted snacks and drinks provided by South African Airways.
Earlier, as the kids arrived the Silverbird Galleria, Kemi Leke-Bamtefa, Head of Sales and Marketing at South African Airways alongside other colleagues presented the kids with a model of the new South African Airways A330-300 aircraft recently launched on the Lagos-Johannesburg route.
“We love Nigeria and we love all of you at Arrows of God Orphanage. Take this model of the new aircraft we recently introduced to Nigeria and keep all hopes alive for a prosperous future,” Kemi stated while handing over the model aircrafts to the kids.
The kids who were visibly happy with the South African Airways gesture sang lots of Christmas songs and wishes the South Africa national carrier more prosperous years ahead.
At the end of the movie viewing, South African Airways presented the orphanage with many foodstuff items including a specially designed cake.
Mrs Jessica Otu, representative from the Arrows of God Orphanage thanked the airline for continuously putting smiles on the faces of the kids of the orphanage.
“From all of us at Arrows of God Orphanage, we want to say a big thank you to South African Airways who have made it an annual priority to always make us smile,” Otu explained.
Recall that South African Airways in mid-December, 2016 introduced a brand new A330-300 aircraft to service the Lagos-Johannesburg route cementing the airline’s commitment to the Nigerian market as well as providing Nigerian travellers with excellent travel experience.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
