Nigeria, others eye 2017 single African air transport

Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Rwanda and Zimbabwe are at the verge of meeting the target of having a single air transport market by the end of January 2017, Elijah Chingosho, secretary general, African Airlines Association (AFRAA), has said.

Chingosho says the possibility is very high considering the fact that these nations are ready to implement the Yamoussoukro Declaration that calls for African countries to open their skies to more flights from African airlines.

In his statement yesterday, Chingosho said Africa was set to liberalise its aviation zone by the end of January 2017, as it had the potential to double the sector’s size in five years.

He said eight countries, which collectively control 85 percent of Africa’s air traffic, planned to open their skies to other African airlines.

Islamic Organisation condemns Boko Haram

The Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC, Eyad Madani, has condemned the activities by the Boko Haram, noting that members of the sect are criminals and anti-Islam. Fielding questions from journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Madani said the OIC delegation discussed the visions and priorities of the with Mr. Jonathan.

He also disclosed that “we are also here to express our solidarity with Nigeria in facing up to this terrorist organisation and to condemn all terrorist acts they have been committing, and to show our condolences to the Nigerian people, to the families of those who were affected. “The OIC has issued statements that … these people are outlaws.

“What they do is criminal act, it has absolutely nothing to do with Islam, Islamic teachings, the religion of Islam, the history, the culture, the civilization of Islam and we should identify them for what they are: as a terrorist group,” he said. Mr. Madani said the organisation intimated the President on what the OIC could do in terms of expressing its support, and its willingness to be actively involved in the war against the terrorist group.