Virgin Nigeria (threads merged)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You chaps live in the UK, we live in Africa. We have to deal with the Nigerian crime problem, not you!! There is no need to debate this issue in this forum as it is not aviation related. The point is that you should not expect to have tourists on the flights to Nigeria as it is not a tourist destination and probably never will be. That does not mean that the VN flights will be empty as it is still a country with a massive economy and plenty of business takes place there.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Home
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EasyNigeria
Do we need VirginNigeria in Nigeria !!!!
We have always been easy people I think its time we go easy eh!
EasyNigeria
When things were rough down here de no think of coming, now its like ah money dey here oh.
At the end of the day VirginNigeria for Mr. Branson is for him like any of his other Virgin Brands, make all the money we can make and fast. I see no difference in their arrangement going on here, cos for me this is another arrangee just like many of the other arrangee in Nigeria, with Oyinbo people.
The story is that they operate on fair and neutral grounds
........is that so, well then why do they not operate with the rest of us at the domestic terminal like we all do, what the f..k is going on
Just imagine people VirginAtlantic and VirginNigeria Parked side by side
na wah oh.
Reminds me of an old song goes like this...................................
'' who's foolin who, Am I foolin you or are you foolin me''
Well me I de kamkpe for my own side and I no de interested again jaree.
I tire, Haba!
Since me in London Might as well see Stelios maybe he wont mind EasyNigeria
We have always been easy people I think its time we go easy eh!
EasyNigeria
When things were rough down here de no think of coming, now its like ah money dey here oh.
At the end of the day VirginNigeria for Mr. Branson is for him like any of his other Virgin Brands, make all the money we can make and fast. I see no difference in their arrangement going on here, cos for me this is another arrangee just like many of the other arrangee in Nigeria, with Oyinbo people.
The story is that they operate on fair and neutral grounds
........is that so, well then why do they not operate with the rest of us at the domestic terminal like we all do, what the f..k is going on Just imagine people VirginAtlantic and VirginNigeria Parked side by side
na wah oh.Reminds me of an old song goes like this...................................
'' who's foolin who, Am I foolin you or are you foolin me''
Well me I de kamkpe for my own side and I no de interested again jaree.
I tire, Haba!
Since me in London Might as well see Stelios maybe he wont mind EasyNigeria
Last edited by ZAZOO; 26th May 2005 at 14:43.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Gulf
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wet-leasing
Is NCAA really hesitating to allow VN wet-lease aircraft at this moment? Did they not warn VN before of this rule and why did VN expect a waiver?
Looks like some serious licensing and legal problems with AON are going on! I hope the A320 birds start flying soon.
Looks like some serious licensing and legal problems with AON are going on! I hope the A320 birds start flying soon.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Whitehaven Beach
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jbayfan,
I do not subscribe to the notion of "inherently" tourist-unfriendly countries. Look at the UAE, they made something out of literally nothing. Nigeria is endowed with natural beauty, cultural diversity, and ancient histories (NOK mining culture dating to 500 BC).
If there is political will and popular awareness, tourism can do wonders to a stable democratic Nigeria.
Check this out:
Cross River State Tourism Bureau
http://www.crstb.com/
Tinapa Business Resort
http://www.tinapa.com
Yup, this is Nigeria!
BR,
Rani
I do not subscribe to the notion of "inherently" tourist-unfriendly countries. Look at the UAE, they made something out of literally nothing. Nigeria is endowed with natural beauty, cultural diversity, and ancient histories (NOK mining culture dating to 500 BC).
If there is political will and popular awareness, tourism can do wonders to a stable democratic Nigeria.
Check this out:
Cross River State Tourism Bureau
http://www.crstb.com/
Tinapa Business Resort
http://www.tinapa.com
Yup, this is Nigeria!
BR,
Rani
VN didn't 'expect' a waiver, it was granted one a t a very early stage I understand.
Give a company the size of VGN some credit for planning and identifying its options; the people starting it up are not exactly brand new to aviation, and many have very strong management experience in African aviation.
Give a company the size of VGN some credit for planning and identifying its options; the people starting it up are not exactly brand new to aviation, and many have very strong management experience in African aviation.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rani, the UAE did not carry a stigma of corruption and lawlessness as is the case with Nigeria. It does not matter if the government is trying to control the lawlessness as the perception is there and that is what the potential tourist knows and believes. We will have run out of fossil fuel long before Nigeria becomes a tourist destination. Personally, I can think of a few hundred other places I would rather visit in my lifetime. And YES, I have been to Lagos in the course of my profession and couldn't leave fast enough.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Whitehaven Beach
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jbayfan,
The UAE was an empty, arid vacuum with diminishing petrogas reserves and only a couple of advantages: a strategic location and cheap labour. The point I am trying to put accross is that no country is spared its own share of problems/disadvantages impeding tourism development.
Nowadays countries tend to specialize in certain kinds of tourism.
Nigeria and Lagos cannot expect to become an 'art' or 'avant-guarde' tourism hotspots, not even a sunshine tourism destination, at least in the short run. However eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural tourism are definitely way up there on the revenue potential scale. You've got to start somewhere. A modest 500,000 arrivals initially will have a big impact on the economy. Territorially, Nigeria is as large as Germany, France, and Netherlands combined, with significant rain forests, coastlines, mountains, plateaus, and savanahs, in addition to 250 ethnic groups. The concept of the Rio and Trinidad Carnivals is rooted in Yoruba and West African cultures!!!
Some food for thought:
http://www.theafrican.com/Magazine/carnival.htm
African influences on carnival traditions
http://www.allahwe.org/History.html
(Above basically explains that African influences on Carnival transformed it from dull catholic proceeding to a full-blown festive experience).
The new marketing motto of Nigeria "The Heart of Africa" is well based on a fact. It will take several more years of instituting democracy and rule of law, before negative perceptions and doubts are corrected.
I agree with you on Lagos, it will be a huge challenge to bring it even to a 'livable' standard, but who said you can't bypass it? Virgin Nigeria's combining of international/domestic flights under one roof should make this very possible.
BR,
Rani
The UAE was an empty, arid vacuum with diminishing petrogas reserves and only a couple of advantages: a strategic location and cheap labour. The point I am trying to put accross is that no country is spared its own share of problems/disadvantages impeding tourism development.
Nowadays countries tend to specialize in certain kinds of tourism.
Nigeria and Lagos cannot expect to become an 'art' or 'avant-guarde' tourism hotspots, not even a sunshine tourism destination, at least in the short run. However eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural tourism are definitely way up there on the revenue potential scale. You've got to start somewhere. A modest 500,000 arrivals initially will have a big impact on the economy. Territorially, Nigeria is as large as Germany, France, and Netherlands combined, with significant rain forests, coastlines, mountains, plateaus, and savanahs, in addition to 250 ethnic groups. The concept of the Rio and Trinidad Carnivals is rooted in Yoruba and West African cultures!!!
Some food for thought:
http://www.theafrican.com/Magazine/carnival.htm
African influences on carnival traditions
http://www.allahwe.org/History.html
(Above basically explains that African influences on Carnival transformed it from dull catholic proceeding to a full-blown festive experience).
The new marketing motto of Nigeria "The Heart of Africa" is well based on a fact. It will take several more years of instituting democracy and rule of law, before negative perceptions and doubts are corrected.
I agree with you on Lagos, it will be a huge challenge to bring it even to a 'livable' standard, but who said you can't bypass it? Virgin Nigeria's combining of international/domestic flights under one roof should make this very possible.
BR,
Rani
Last edited by Rani; 1st Jun 2005 at 11:37.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: london
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jbayfan,
You seem to be a very bitter person, by looking at the tone of your posts. God help those around you in the southern hemisphere, should anyone step out of line, i can imagine what may happen to them. (The gas chambers maybe?). Are you a direct descendant of that famous man of the 1940's in Europe? I do hope there are not many of your type around, I am sure you will be stringing me up by now.
It will be nice if you could offer some constructive suggestions to right the wrong and do grow up.
You seem to be a very bitter person, by looking at the tone of your posts. God help those around you in the southern hemisphere, should anyone step out of line, i can imagine what may happen to them. (The gas chambers maybe?). Are you a direct descendant of that famous man of the 1940's in Europe? I do hope there are not many of your type around, I am sure you will be stringing me up by now.
It will be nice if you could offer some constructive suggestions to right the wrong and do grow up.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Whitehaven Beach
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back to topic:
Does the AON suit imply VGN will be denied an AOC until the ouctome of the July 11/25 hearings? The Aviation Minister was quoted as saying:
"Reacting to the suit, however, Mallam Yuguda, who noted that he would not be pre-empting court decision on the matter, expressed discomfort with the manner some Nigerians have misconstrued all matters pertraining to Virgin Nigeria. "
Source: Champion Daily
http://www.champion-newspapers.com/n...sers/article_3
Does the AON suit imply VGN will be denied an AOC until the ouctome of the July 11/25 hearings? The Aviation Minister was quoted as saying:
"Reacting to the suit, however, Mallam Yuguda, who noted that he would not be pre-empting court decision on the matter, expressed discomfort with the manner some Nigerians have misconstrued all matters pertraining to Virgin Nigeria. "
Source: Champion Daily
http://www.champion-newspapers.com/n...sers/article_3
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: The Heart of Darkness
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I for one would welcome any initiative that results in an African country halting its decline.... Back in the 60's my Geography A level was largely based around Nigeria and the economics of the country... I remember thinking what a wonderful place it was.. who would have guessed that in so few years it could have changed so dramatically....
If Virgin's efforts result in at least one African country going forward rather than backward we should offer them all the support and encouragement they deserve...
If Virgin's efforts result in at least one African country going forward rather than backward we should offer them all the support and encouragement they deserve...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oyindo, get back to me in 10 years and we'll see if anything has changed in your country!! Why don't you go and get the facts and find out what % of passengers to your country are tourists. Probably less than 1%. You may note that you are the one making bitter accusations, I am the one making logical observations!! Maybe the truth hurts!
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Gulf
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tourism in Nigeria
Jbeyfan or whatever your username is,
To every problem there is a solution. In Egypt, Cairo is a s#%^hole if you ask me, but nonetheless, tourism is thriving in some other areas of the country such as Upper Egypt and Sinai (Sharm El Sheikh). These areas have been developed as world-class tourism resorts with direct charter/scheduled flights from other countries in Europe or the Middle East
Some regions in Nigeria are suitable for the development of tourism as they have a lower population density, better infrastructure, security and certainly beautiful topography. Why would you think that Cross Rivers, Plateau or Abuja are unsuitable for the development of tourism? Please give some reasoning and there isnt a need to discuss Lagos as that can be bypassed like Rani said.
I agree you are not being constructive in the sense that you focus on Lagos as a dangerous spot and overlook any room for improvement or solution to the problem underlying lack of tourism in Nigeria. Nigeria deserves a chance to get the economy back on its feet and tourism is an excellent way to go, but yes, there are SERIOUS image problems and Nigeria has to work three or four times as hard to isolate new tourism hot spots from other dangerous and corruption-ridden places in Nigeria.
Give Nigeria a chance.
To every problem there is a solution. In Egypt, Cairo is a s#%^hole if you ask me, but nonetheless, tourism is thriving in some other areas of the country such as Upper Egypt and Sinai (Sharm El Sheikh). These areas have been developed as world-class tourism resorts with direct charter/scheduled flights from other countries in Europe or the Middle East
Some regions in Nigeria are suitable for the development of tourism as they have a lower population density, better infrastructure, security and certainly beautiful topography. Why would you think that Cross Rivers, Plateau or Abuja are unsuitable for the development of tourism? Please give some reasoning and there isnt a need to discuss Lagos as that can be bypassed like Rani said.
I agree you are not being constructive in the sense that you focus on Lagos as a dangerous spot and overlook any room for improvement or solution to the problem underlying lack of tourism in Nigeria. Nigeria deserves a chance to get the economy back on its feet and tourism is an excellent way to go, but yes, there are SERIOUS image problems and Nigeria has to work three or four times as hard to isolate new tourism hot spots from other dangerous and corruption-ridden places in Nigeria.
Give Nigeria a chance.
Well said Global Flyer. People who came here for the last time 5 years ago and have come back recently believe that things have improved. Whilst there remain a lot of Nigerians who believe positive things about their country and want it to improve there is hope that real change can be achieved.
You might not believe it but there a lot of very decent people in Nigeria who dislike the image that their country has and wish it to change. With support, they might just surprise even a hardened cynic such as yourself. Did you bother to visit the web sites posted by Rani? I think they offer real hope, and if economic growth can be encouraged away from Lagos then maybe some people will return to the area they grew up.
I'm not Nigerian, but the longer I stay here the more I think it deserves a chance of success DESPITE the efforts of some to continue the status quo.
You might not believe it but there a lot of very decent people in Nigeria who dislike the image that their country has and wish it to change. With support, they might just surprise even a hardened cynic such as yourself. Did you bother to visit the web sites posted by Rani? I think they offer real hope, and if economic growth can be encouraged away from Lagos then maybe some people will return to the area they grew up.
I'm not Nigerian, but the longer I stay here the more I think it deserves a chance of success DESPITE the efforts of some to continue the status quo.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: london
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whilst there remain a lot of Nigerians who believe positive things about their country and want it to improve there is hope that real change can be achieved.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: England
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi jbayfan,
just for the benefit of every one on this forum, where are u from? I know it says on the "from" section that you are from South Africa, but are you actually from there or just residing there?
HappyPilot
just for the benefit of every one on this forum, where are u from? I know it says on the "from" section that you are from South Africa, but are you actually from there or just residing there?
HappyPilot
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Germany
Age: 76
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some interesting posts here...
From my experience so far, the corruption goes so deep that it would be very difficult for some entrepreneur to make a success of using the obvious potential of Nigeria. Many projects are there simply for the skimming of the 'ten percent.'
I am a pilot and not a reporter, so that getting slung out of Nigeria for telling uncomfortable truths is not in my job description. Just a quick read of the local papers will tell you what I am here referring to.
It can be very instructive to compare Accra, Ghana, with Lagos. I almost fell over in shock when a Customs officer loaned me a telephone card and then would not even allow me to pay for the (very small) amount I had used off the card. The explanation was that, having first tried preaching, Jerry Rawlings had some members of the corruptGhanaian elite lined up against a wall and shot, after which things changed to an unbelievable degree.
If Nigeria ever manages to move forward, not least providing meaningful work for its many bright young people, then it could be a real success story. But just look at the direct subject of this post: how far has Virgin Nigeria got? And, how much money has Richard Branson directly invested so far? I don't see him placing any big bets so far!
From my experience so far, the corruption goes so deep that it would be very difficult for some entrepreneur to make a success of using the obvious potential of Nigeria. Many projects are there simply for the skimming of the 'ten percent.'
I am a pilot and not a reporter, so that getting slung out of Nigeria for telling uncomfortable truths is not in my job description. Just a quick read of the local papers will tell you what I am here referring to.
It can be very instructive to compare Accra, Ghana, with Lagos. I almost fell over in shock when a Customs officer loaned me a telephone card and then would not even allow me to pay for the (very small) amount I had used off the card. The explanation was that, having first tried preaching, Jerry Rawlings had some members of the corruptGhanaian elite lined up against a wall and shot, after which things changed to an unbelievable degree.
If Nigeria ever manages to move forward, not least providing meaningful work for its many bright young people, then it could be a real success story. But just look at the direct subject of this post: how far has Virgin Nigeria got? And, how much money has Richard Branson directly invested so far? I don't see him placing any big bets so far!
Props are for boats!
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: An Asian Hub
Age: 56
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So whats the latest with Virgin Nigeria. Are they still in court, have they had all their approvals to opertae ratified? Whats the latest guys?
Sheep
Sheep
