Virgin Nigeria(n) Eagle aka Air Nigeria [Archive]

HappyPilot

3rd Jun 2010, 21:42

NaijaNinja,

I'm sure Dapo has his friends aswell as enemies in the industry, but the truth is that the guy meant well for virgin Nigeria in my opinion and lets face it he had very little to play with in terms of finances when he arrived. Jimoh on the other hand has his work cut out, and mainly to do with his style of management and extreme arrogance. It seems a bit of a coincidence that Jimoh buys the company just in time for this so called bail-out thats coming from Central bank. I want to know how the money will be shared amongst the airlines. Will it be shared at all? Will they do it equally? based on fleet size? Either way I hope Jimoh changes the fortunes of Virgin Nigeria/Nigerian Eagle/Air Nigeria. Any bets on what its gonna be called this time next year? I reckon "Jimoh Nigerian"

Gidigba

4th Jun 2010, 05:39

Its all a big scam guys,the sponsors of Jimoh were the original sponsors of virgin/Air whatever,and they are now the new friends of Jonathan;Latent Leaders of Nigeria have achieved what they originally wanted through Branson and he was paid his reward,Branson still says he's coming back, sic,Its a huge scam,and someday in the nearest future it shall all become blown open,just keep watching as things unfold;The cat will soon show;In Nigeria EGO rules,Watchout for the remaining parts of this soap opera

NaijaNinja

4th Jun 2010, 19:50

Gidigba, tell us what you know, interesting theory there.

Gidigba

5th Jun 2010, 04:24

@NaijaNinja (http://www.pprune.org/members/182083-naijaninja)
Don't worry in due time,it shall become very clear,the clowns think we're all been fooled,500b bailout fund all of a sudden,The beat goes on.Hope ur enjoying your time off,rgds to dat pweety somebody:D

skygod

5th Jun 2010, 09:36

Here we go again, do i smell CORRUPTION......?. The birth of a new brand thats probably going to die in a year or two.
Wake up NIgeria!!!! I flew on the jump seat once from lagos to Jos with NICON. I wrote down all the snags on the aircraft. They had a total of 15 defects on the old B737-200. Apparently jimoh Ibrahim was the CEO of NICON at that time. He constantly pushed pilot into flying aircrafts with snags
This time jimoh Ibrahim will carry the snags on a National Carrier. I really wonder how its going to turn out this time, but it doesnt look gud with him up there...GUD Luck nigeria!!!!

Happy Landings!!!!!!!!:=

NaijaNinja

5th Jun 2010, 10:12

Interesting quip, check your PM.

9jarep

6th Jun 2010, 06:19

Haba Sky god Jimoh never forced any Pilot to fly a defective Aircraft:= in fact Jimoh knew he was Handicapped in the Knowledge of Flight Ops so he left that to a Group of people i.e those who always approved your Jump seat rides to Jos truth of the matter is Jimoh is after Quick returns some thing you rarely get in Aviation this days...was Dapo right to leave sure Jimoh is one Arrogant :mad: ask the EAS Guys he hosted in his Hotel at Lekki :ugh:

18left

6th Jun 2010, 07:22

SKYGOD

Just curious how did JI push pilots to fly"defective" aircraft?
Did he pull them by the ears across the tarmac,or threaten them with pay freeze?

The facts on ground is that JI has pumped money,paid for more aircraft,insurance and reduced the balances on third party creditors.He may not be a nice guy,which i don't believe is a prerequisite for an airline chairman,but if properly managed,there is huge potential.They are IOSA/IATA,which no one else has,they are in a better financial condition now,than even orange tail and AJ.

In my estimation,NICON was an eye opener for him,and if he's smart,he should use his experience there,and pay off what he owes staff.

I do agree that the timing of this 500billion,his joining PDP,are quite ................ but word out there is AJ is trying to corner most of the money based on fleet size,forgetting the money is not for aviation alone,but also manufacturing.

skygod

6th Jun 2010, 23:09

hey guys,
My conclusion, is you guys are trying to justify jimohs actions to get a bite of the national cake, the 500bn. It really doesnt matter whoes managing what. Jimoh ibrahim was proven, a failure in EAS, with a crash in kano, and Nicon with so many serious incidents that were covered up.
Were all back again to square 1, because were not really honest. I bet u 100% in 2 years there will be no Air Nigeria...My point is the airline is for Nigeria, and i want the best for nigerians, because they deserve nothing less than other countries. Can you compare Emirates with Air NIgeria???? speak up people??.The answer is NO. Its Impossible in 10 years Air Nigeria will be like Emirates, with jimoh Ibrahim. Same oil, same humans, same brains, same airplanes, same market. So whats the problem ???? CORRUPTION. !!! thats my point people be honest with ur selves.
I guess my point is clear, i need not explain, any further because you all know the deal? Dont defent a criminal jimoh, Dapo was much better manager, and Dapo, had some education, and qualifications to back him up.time will tell which way the wind blows!!!!!

:ugh::ugh:

baba70

7th Jun 2010, 00:04

Smells like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck....... must definitely be a duck!:mad::yuk:

HappyPilot

7th Jun 2010, 00:12

Jimoh is definitely 100% bad news for Air Nigeria. I think my fellow brothers here on pprune are simply happy that there's finally some money being pumped into the company. This is a welcome development. But that is not the only yardstick for running a proper efficient airline. If he wants the best for air nigeria, he needs to simply put his money in and back off and let the experts do their jobs. Now can anybody here trully tell me whether Jimoh's style of management and deep arrogance wil let him do that??

We have one of the biggest aviation markets in Africa. We need to give the best people a chance to get to work. Forget Emirates, just look at Ethiopian. How do they do it? Its no good just having one Ethiopian in the management team at air Nigeria. Bring all of them. They have a very good work ethic. But with the best will in the world, they can only be as good as Jimoh lets them be.

18left

7th Jun 2010, 07:09

SKYGOD

you once posted "Bellview will never go bankrupt and will be hear for ever",so don't be shocked if your prediction with AIR NIGERIA goes the same way.

I am not a JI fan at all,he is a nasty piece of equipment,probably a required tool in this industry,time will tell!

The Mr nice guys have not succeeded either!!

i just try to disengage emotions from facts.

JI is a lawyer,so he is educated,and has far more experience in the business world than Dapo.Which is why i say if he plays smart,he has bought into a good asset,what he does with it is another thing,so its 50/50 with your prediction.

The new CEO who was Dapos deputy,has had vast experience in ETHIOPIAN,and took some commercial decisions that have paid off,which all there so called "analysts" could not pull off all this years.
I strongly believe if JI leaves him to run the show,he will turn VK around

Your measurement of Dapos performance is based on?????????

sure hope its not what you read in the press,different people will say different things,it all depends who you talk too.He has tried his best,but i believe VK project was beyond his best,besides theres no way Dapo will work with JI.

The Emirates and co that you mention,all have massive govt support.Think how Emirates would be if they got kicked out of a terminal,always "STDBY" for start up,picking birds in their engines,and using two weeks to renew their licence,or three months to get their validations,or always facing conveyor belt failure and "delay not determined",using a bus in traffic for inter terminal transfer,or been forced to night stop because no space at home base to park your aircraft,or in ability to use a wide body out of MM2 when you have the pax numbers,having to deal with NAHCO/SAHCOL who's main job is to collide with your aircraft ......................... Look at ARIK,GAT can barely contain them,any commercial decision they make they have to take capacity constraints in GAT into consideration,try parking in GAT @#(&%^$#@,and then 419MM2,the most expensive terminal in africa.

You dont need a rocket scientist to run an airline efficiently,you just need the right people in the right places,identifying these people is what makes or mars your airline,thats why cost managers will advise you contract it out till you have the know how.

On the EAS crash,JI wasnt there then,and most of these incidents are caused by tosterone over dozed pilots,the i can "tap" syndrome,prevalent amongst most pilots in Nigeria,probably myself too.

HappyPilot

7th Jun 2010, 09:49

I think everyone here has a good point and I suppose we are all seeing it from different sides of the prism. Couple of questions, whats the bread situation at VK right now? Is it on time nowadays? How much bread would a 737 skipper take home monthly roughly? Lastly, I'm hearing that the influx of VK pilots to Arik is on the verge of being reversed.

surely not

7th Jun 2010, 10:30

Your comparisons with Emirates, Etihad, and Ethiopian and how they operate and suggesting that a Nigerian carrier should do the same are missing one vital point...................those airlines exist on transfer traffic and the airport facilities are geared up to handle massive transfer passenger flows quickly and efficiently. This policy is supported by the Governments, the airport authorities and the police/security, customs and immigration.

As yet they don't have anything like the point to point traffic that Nigeria enjoys. If there was a will to develop a viable transfer product at Lagos or Abuja, and the Government, Airport Authorities, police/security, customs and immigration joined in positively to make it fast, reliable and easy then the Nigerian Airlines would have a major advantage in pricing as the greater point to point traffic would help subsidise the transfer traffic.

On their own and without political buy in from all involved parties the airlines will not be able to develop a transfer hub in Nigeria. VK was trying to do this but never had the fullest support as other interests wanted the domestic operation out of the International terminal. Always obstacles were placed in the way and the idea of making it easy for passengers to transfer was furthest from the thoughts of anyone outside the airline.

Transit Without Visa? Not a chance, passengers had to pay for a Nigerian Visa even if they were not wishing to enter the country.
International Transfer passengers able to remain airside and not clear through Immigration? No way, they wouldn't need to buy a visa if that happened!!
Transfer Baggage Area airside? No way, Customs have to see the bag even though it is transferring onto another flight to another country so it has to go up with all the other bags.

I could go on but this gives an indication of the infrastructure issues that need to be addressed before anyone can think of becoming an Emirates, Etihad or Ethiopian. The airline and aircraft is only a small part of the problem.

The Maestro

7th Jun 2010, 14:40

18L, Surely Not, and Happy Pilot -- you all have very perceptive and interesting views. 18L particularly seems to understand the situation on gorund at VK very well.

Like everyone else I thought JI was a monster: fast-grabbing, fast-talking arrogant SOB billionaire. Surprise! You will actually like him on face-to-face. He is 100% focused on business, and very result-oriented. Reality on ground was that VK was near-comatose, and would have ground to a halt in a matter of weeks, perhaps months -- when JI stepped in. Now there is new life in the airline, funds are available, more aircraft are on the way (already paid for or leased for) and great plans in the offing. Salaries are only one week late and getting better, and you can't miss the new energy in the footsteps of every VK staff.

About the NICON Airways fiasco? JI explained that he had only 20% shares in Nicon Airways, and other big boys in aviation held the rest. In VK for once he has a controlling interest.

I think he knows he bought a very good company. The template created by Virgin is the best I have ever seen -- 90% of the company employees are university graduates and have undergone some of the most rigorous screening -- background and aptitude -- prior to being hired. Here you have a company where lost wallets are usually returned with the contents intact, the workers uniformly above-average in intelligence and work ethic, etc. The brand is powerful, no doubt about that. The company has vision and purpose, and everyThe company is a cash cow just waiting for funds injection, and JI, never one to miss a money-making oppportunity, jumped on it.

As for education, many people don't seem to know that JI is very learned. Apart from degrees in Nigeria, he is a graduate of the Harvard Law School, and counts as his contempraries B. Obama and George Bush. His easy-going, down-to earth manner (sort of like R. Branson) underlie one of the sharpest business minds this side of Dangote.

Look for more and better things to come.

9jarep

8th Jun 2010, 03:17

Maestro please you dont know IbrahiM Folorunsho Jimoh AKA Jimoh Ibrahim:= Business man Yes he may score some point there but as a person your Eulogy is like telling is us the moon is square in shape :yuk:i am very sure some of the EAS Staffs who were in his Hotel in Lekki would tell you first Hand look around the Airport you would find them. as for 20% share in NICON Airways :{ you tell me how a 20% share holder insist on the Pilots Recognizing his Presence when ever his on Board a flight and this man actually Gets up and waves at the Passengers:ugh:

atedo

8th Jun 2010, 09:35

Please why are we comparing Jimoh to Dapo?

Dapo is an Employee, Jimoh is an Employer!

So we beleive that he will put these monies in VK and watch it drain away? Then why is he investing in the first place?

VK is and will remain the yardstick in this industry here in Naija. JI have invested in a standard airline...if not the mismanagement of the past management including Dapo, this airline would have long grown beyond where they are currently.

JI have promised to focus on admin and finance (the key areas that failed VK) and allow the professionals in the technical and Ops area to run their side of the show...lets see him shift ground on this before we say next.

Numero Uno

8th Jun 2010, 14:35

@ Atedo,

I do completely agree with you that VK is the best airline in Nigeria ad-simplicita. In terms of standard, procedures, processes and more importantly the people's attitude, proficiency and culture (though sadly I hear Pa Jimoh was trying to toy with that).

That said, I do agree that all VK needed was the requisite fund injection that was timely oblige by PJ. Folks, if PJ will let guys just run with this while he sets his targets and await their feedback, i think that might be his best decision yet. I do hope he sees it that way.

VK is still the best employer of persons in this industry. That will never be taken away from them. I see some osmosis taking place in the very near future - some key people that have gone might just return especially for the love they enjoyed while in VK. They will be more than happy to see her saill happily again.

As for the new name, i totally believe Air Nigeria better projects them than the erstwhile Nigerian Eagle. In all, I sincerely wish VK the best of times in the days ahead and if PJ makes good his promises, W3 and AJ had better get their acts right to withstand VK's standard onslaught. Mark my words, IF VK COMMENCES LONG HAUL TODAY, THEY WILL BE FULL FROM THE 10TH DAY AT THE EXPENSE OF BA, VS AND W3:)

N1 Limit

8th Jun 2010, 16:04

Those days here on PPRUNE DAPO was the devil since he left VK he has become an angel,i believe DAPO tried his level best and he turned VK somehow into a profitable airlines things are getting back into shape.As far as Jimoh give him some benefit of the doubts i'm sure he can inject a large amount of funds to run it bankrupt i'm sure he learnt from NICON experience.

HappyPilot

8th Jun 2010, 20:32

Nothing will bring me greater joy than to see a successfull VK. It will be the pride of all Nigerians. As I said before, Jimoh should put his money in, and let the ethiopian(s) get to work without any interference. I dont think there should be a mad rush to bring in long haul aircraft either, afterall Arik does London & JNB with a 737NG sometimes. Stick to one type, and I suggest the 737 considering their price/maintenace and also capacity. You how much load we carry when we Nigerians travel. Train/empower your own and pay them well, encourage fresh ideas from people, thats the only way you can see your way through the storm and lastly, get to know Goodluck Jonathan ASAP!!! The guy is looking like he's gonna be there for a while, at least that will give you time to get on your feet implement your ideas(he might even agree to the idea of a hub).

The Maestro

8th Jun 2010, 21:39

@9jarep -- So far it's all been positive since JI came on board. His energy is infectious. Sure, JI may have an ego the size of A380, but he is not an asset stripper in the manner of Frank Lorenzo with Continental and that other rich whatchamacullam with erstwhile TWA, Carl Icahn. Continental survived, TWA didn't. I think JI's ownership style is closer to Lorenzo's. On a simulator in Miami once, my instructor was an ex-TWA pilot who took early retirement, his hand forced by Carl Icahn's asset stripping, benefits scrapping, glean-to-the-bone style of management/ownership. He didn't find it funny his retirement benefits would be messed with if he stayed, so he opted to leave and retain what was still on paper. I don't think JI came in to lose his millions --on the contrary VK will turn out to be a damn good investment for him.
@ Happypilot -- the salary at VK is competitive. Captains take home about N1.1 to 1.3 mil monthly with about 60 hours flight duty pay. On some months when you fly 80 plus hours, you will see N1.4 mil. Not bad, except that for some time it was coming late, and when it came you now used it to repay debts incurred while waiting for it. It's better now under the Ethiopian CEO.
And yes indeed, the reversal is taking place, and soon to be in full swing. Mum's the word. Grapevine has it that W3 CP has put in his letter. Had it up to his gazookas with --- you tell me. Word is end of June, he'll take a graceful exit. Pity. Nice chap.
Gave a lot of guys opportunities on the NG and CRJ, and even A340. Hope he goes to VK.

Oba1kanobe

8th Jun 2010, 22:58

Grapevine has it that W3 CP has put in his letter. Had it up to his gazookas with --- you tell me. Word is end of June, he'll take a graceful exit. Pity. Nice chap.
Gave a lot of guys opportunities on the NG and CRJ, and even A340. Hope he goes to VK.

I heard the same. I hope he does go to VK where his contributions to the company will likely be rewarded, both with respect and cash.

I wonder if VK would take a tired W3 guy like me? Might be time to jump ship before the life boats are called :E

HappyPilot

8th Jun 2010, 23:08

Yeah Maestro I heard the same about the Arik chief Pilot aswell. Gave a lot of guys opportunities on the NG and CRJ, and even A340.I couldnt agree more with that statement, he empowered young Nigerian boys and girls, competent pilots, many of whom now have their command. I must say, VK are very progressive in that direction aswell. Something that is lacking in certain other companies, where the big boys say to themselves "who's this small boy to get a command?". I'm sure he'll also have his enemies but I think he wasn't one to take bull**** from anyone, he tells you like it is. Its a shame he's moving, we need more people like that at the top.

Regarding that bread, its ok i suppose, they just need to tweak it a little bit higher and you'll get in influx of people from other airlines. One thing for sure that VK and Arik need for sure is a powerfull union, one with balls. One that sets the standards.

NIJASEA

9th Jun 2010, 09:46

JI has not dropped a dime in VK, you dont get rich dropping money down a well. UBA had agreed a loan of $150m to VK to be paid in 3 installments the first was at the end of may and the rest in 2 more installments of $50m each. All this was set up before Ji took over, all this was arranged by Dapo based on the projection he had for the company. Ji came at the right time to claim the credit thats good business sence. The new CEO seems to be trying to follow exactly what Dapo was doing and he seems to be doing it poorly. Ji holds meetings everyweek to remind the staff who is in charge and about his days in Harvard. the (so called) new aircrafts are the old VNF and VNG which UBA has loaned VK money to purchase. The salaries are still late.

Klogic

10th Jun 2010, 12:12

The question is why would i buy a company that is indebted to the tune of over 300 million USD?

And with Less than 50k USD, I can go to harvard for three weeks, do a short programme, and come back and claim i went to Harvard which was what JI i believe did.He did a program on Taxation.

Claims by JI that he has injected money seems to be a ruse.Pilots were only paid yesterday,the 9TH,14 DAYS long overdue.JI instructed that VK should pay with internally generated money!!! Last month he lent money to VK to pay salaries and i understand he is charging VK 4 percent interest:confused:

The reality is that JI is failure in almost all his businesses.What biz of his has been succesful?

Well, THE ANSWER TO MY FIRST QUESTION,will determine the fate of VK. I am an ardent supporter of VK and i pray it succeeds.

Oba1kanobe

11th Jun 2010, 10:59

Pilots were only paid yesterday,the 9TH,14 DAYS long overdue

Arik expat pilots still have not been paid for May.

Swine Facipic

12th Jun 2010, 12:37

im just a bit lost ... does it mean that virgin group still holds 49% of the airline ?

Revnetwork

12th Jun 2010, 13:59

Don't know if JI put any money in or not, but someone seems to be paying off the debts. UBA has been cleared, now GTB.

GTB Drops Suit against Virgin Nigeria
•Receives $6.5m from airline as loan settlement …Thisday (front page)

The report has it that Virgin Nigeria Airways (Air Nigeria) got a new lease of life last Tuesday when Guaranty Trust Bank Plc informed the airline of its intention to discontinue the winding up suit the bank instituted against Virgin Nigeria at the Federal High Court, Lagos over its inability to service a $9,194,577.36 (N1.3 billion) loan.
In a notice of discontinuance obtained exclusively by Thisday newspaper yesterday, the bank is urging the court to strike out the suit brought pursuant to Order 50 Rule 2(1) and (5) of the court’s rule 2009.The bank hinged the notice of discontinuance on the fact that the airline had in furtherance of its agreement paid a total sum of $6.5 million as full and final settlement of its indebtedness as agreed by both parties.

Sources in GTBank confirmed that since the airline changed ownership, the bank has held negotiations on getting the loan discharged with the Jimoh Ibrahim-led NICON Group which acquired Virgin Nigeria from local and foreign investors last April. The negotiations culminated with the payment by Virgin Nigeria of $6.5 million as full and final settlement of the facility early this month.

Confirming that the airline has fully discharged its indebtedness to the bank, GTBank in a letter dated June 8, 2010 and addressed to the managing director of the airline, stated that it was fully discharging the airline from all obligations consequent upon receipt of payment.

In the substantive suit, the bank (petitioner) through its counsel, Mr. Kunle Ogunba (SAN) had filed a winding up petition against Virgin Nigeria for its inability to pay the loan it secured from GTBank and urged the court to wind up the affairs of the airline under the provisions of Sections 409 (1) and 410 (1) (b) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

surely not

12th Jun 2010, 17:39

That sounds like excellent news Rev!!

So the future is looking brighter again I hope. Good luck to you all and especially those I used to work with.

Gidigba

14th Jun 2010, 05:15

011: Jimoh Ibrahim Heads Pro-Jonathan Group’s BOT

From Kunle Akogun in Abuja, 06.14.2010
A nascent organisation rooting for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2011 general elections, the Goodluck Grassroot Movement (GGM) has appointed Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim as Chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT).Ibrahim's appointment was announced in Abuja at the weekend after the group's maiden meeting.

Its National Secretary, Otunba Wasiu Banjo said in a press statement that other BOT members are Dr. Godwin Daboh, Alhaji Issa Tafida, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, Senator Ladan Shumi, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
He added that the group also elected national officers to steer its affairs towards realising its agenda of promoting the candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan as PDP Presidential candidate in the 2011 general elections

Those elected include Alhaji Ibrahim Moddibo, National Coordinator, Otunba Wasiu Banjo, NationalSecretary, Mr. Mark Adamu, National Treasurer, Alhaji Tukur Abdulkadir, National Organizing Secretary and Engr. Mike Ozoemena, National Youth Leader.
Also elected were Hajia Mariam Abdulahi, Woman Leader, Mr. Chris Awa, Director of Publicity, and Alhaji Abubakar Sokoto, Deputy National Coordinator.

The statement added that the inauguration of the BOT and National Exco will come up in Abuja soon.
Restating its preparedness to ensure that Jonathan contests and wins next year's presidential election, the group warned politicians to desist from overheating the polity over the issue of zoning, which it said is "an unconstitutional contraption".

It expressed the belief that the issue of who leads the country should be based on merit and track record and not on where a candidate comes from,pointing out that in the present circumstance, "Jonathan remains the best man to steer the ship of the nation".From THISDAY 14june10:eek::(