Business

South African Airways offers Nigerian travellers new travel experience

Published

9 years ago

December 10, 2016

Launches new aircraft A330-300 on Lagos-Johannesburg route

South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s Best Airline for 14^th consecutive years will from 11^th December this year bring new travel experience to Nigerian travellers with the introduction of brand new A330-300 aircraft on the Lagos-Johannesburg route.

The SAA A330-300 aircraft deployed to the Lagos-Johannesburg route is one of the five new state of-the-art, environmentally friendly, super-comfortable aircrafts that the airline has acquired to improve its service offering for passengers’ memorable journey.

Aboard the SAA new A330-300 aircraft, Nigerian travellers will enjoy brand-new 46 Premium Business Class and 203 Economy Class seats with warm, neutralcolours and cabin furnishings which provides a comfortable, elegant, hospitable and relaxed ambience, leaving travellers feeling well rested after long flights.

For the Business Class travellers, the A330 is sure to make passengers feel right at home in their very own living space. Upon boarding passengers will be welcomed with a bubbling flute of Méthode Cap Classique and then spoilt with an amenity bag stocked with travel necessities and indulgent cosmetics. After settling in the flight, passengers’ taste buds and appetite will be treated to the exquisite à la carte menu, proudly South African cheeseboard and skilfully selected wines.

Seating in Business Class cabins is in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration, offering increased privacy and providing all Business Class passengers with direct access to the aisle. The A330-300s offer more Business Class seats than the largest aircraft in SAA’s current fleet.

The updated cabin layout includes customised seats that lie fully flat at 180° and extend to almost 2m. The seat is also extra-wide at 23”. Each seat is designed to offer more privacy, individual aisle access and even more personal top and stowage space. A large tray table pops out when pushing the tray table button, which is more user-friendly than traditional tray tables.

They also bring to life the audio-channels and soundtracks of SAA wide range of in-flight entertainment options – all at passengers’ fingertips and displayed on their own screen.

Each Business Class seat on the SAA A330 is equipped with a 15” video screen, power socket and USB port for passengers use or tablet, phone and laptop charging at leisure.

SAA has the record of being the leader in introducing the first flat beds in Business Class 15 years ago and is still setting the standards today.

The 203 newly designed Economy Class slim-line seats has extra personal space and generous legroom for travelling comfort. Each seat is fitted with a 10.1” screen, individual USB charging ports and access to shared PC power points.

To make flights more enjoyable, Economy Class customers are offered a handy amenity kit with socks, eyeshades and a toothbrush with toothpaste. Passengers travelling with babies and wheelchairs will appreciate the double-size bathroom situated in the middle of the Economy Class cabin, which also incorporates a large fold-down table for changing babies’ nappies.

The in-flight entertainment totally kills boredom with range of on-demand in-flight entertainment system with full programme offerings in all Business and Economy Class seats. For the best viewing experience each seat has a high-resolution screen.

The A330-300 incorporates the RAVE inflight entertainment system – a fully customisable and lightweight entertainment system from Zodiac. This new system offers each passenger their own personal television screen, featuring an intuitive, full-capacity and simple interface. The navigation will be available in six languages: English, French, German, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish.

In addition, passengers will be able to stream a selected set of content to their own personal device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The additional content consists of a selection of digital magazines, a newsfeed offered by Agence France-Presse (AFP) offering global news updates directly to passengers’ device, short tourism clips, a moving map which allows passengers to zoom in and out of the flying space and more.

Passengers need to download the SAA in-flight entertainment app Airscape before travel for iOS and Android devices to be spoilt for choice of inflight entertainment aboard the A330 with over 100 movies to enjoy – from the latest blockbusters to old favourites and a wide selection of African and Asian titles.

Up to 100 TV features are on offer, including the latest full-season series and comedy shows. Gaming enthusiasts can take their pick from 15 games (including a selection of multi-player games). There are also 14 radio station channels and over 170 albums to choose from.

Children will be spoilt for choice with a special kids’ programme section. In addition, SAA has a family-friendly feature whereby parents can ask a flight attendant to limit movies for a certain seat to kiddies’ view (movies for toddlers with no age restriction) or teen view (PG and PG 13 movies and programmes).

The system has a handy feature whereby a passenger can opt to be woken for meals or to be left undisturbed by simply choosing the feature on the monitor, displayed at a low light, just bright enough for the crew to identify the passenger’s wishes.

Passengers are encouraged to give quick feedback on-board the A330 aircraft flight enabling SAA to measure its service levels and continue to provide excellent service.

Business

ADVAN Wins Global Honour at WFA Awards for “Project Freedom” Initiative

Published

17 hours ago

April 25, 2026

Sahara Weekly

ADVAN Earns Global Recognition As WFA President’s Award Winner For “Project Freedom”

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has been recognised on the global stage as a recipient of the prestigious WFA President’s Award, presented by the World Federation of Advertisers during its Global Marketer Week in Stockholm. The recognition places ADVAN among a select group of leading industry associations worldwide acknowledged for driving meaningful impact in marketing and society.

The WFA President’s Awards, established in 2010, celebrate national industry associations whose initiatives advance the marketer’s agenda and contribute to positive change. This year’s honours were awarded following a rigorous selection process involving 38 submissions from associations across the WFA’s global network, with winners chosen for their measurable impact and potential for replication across markets.

ADVAN’s recognition comes through its advocacy initiative, Project Freedom, a bold and strategic effort focused on addressing the challenges of stifling, non–data-driven regulations affecting businesses in Nigeria and across Africa. The initiative underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking while championing the constitutional right to freedom of commerce.

Through Project Freedom, ADVAN has taken a proactive leadership role in engaging key stakeholders and shaping conversations around fair, balanced, and transparent regulation. The initiative reflects a shift toward constructive dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support innovation, protect consumer interests, and enable sustainable business growth.

By earning this global recognition, ADVAN reinforces the growing influence of African marketing institutions in shaping international discourse. Its work highlights how local advocacy, when rooted in data and guided by clear principles, can deliver impact not just within national borders but across the global marketing ecosystem.

The award also affirms ADVAN’s commitment to strengthening self-regulation within the industry, fostering accountability, and promoting standards that align with global best practices while remaining relevant to local realities.

As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, ADVAN’s recognition by the World Federation of Advertisers signals a strong endorsement of its leadership and vision. It positions the association as a key voice in advancing responsible marketing, advocating for enabling policies, and ensuring that businesses can operate in an environment that supports both innovation and economic freedom.

Business

PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

Sahara Weekly

***PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status**

To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.

UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.

In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.

Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.

Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.

Thank you.

Business

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Published

2 days ago

April 24, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”

Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.

The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.

This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.

Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:

“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”

As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.

With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.

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About Laffmattazz

Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.

About First Bank of Nigeria Limited

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.