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Wakanow collaborates with Dana Airlines as a strategic distribution partner to provide real time access for Flight bookings

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Press Release: Press Release: Wakanow collaborates with Dana Airlines as a strategic distribution partner to provide real time access for Flight bookings

Wakanow collaborates with Dana Airlines as a strategic distribution partner to provide real time access for Flight bookings

 

By Olorunfemi Adejuyigbe

 

Press Release: Press Release: Wakanow collaborates with Dana Airlines as a strategic distribution partner to provide real time access for Flight bookings

L-R (0S8A5824) – Head, Marketing and Communications, Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa; Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of Dana Air, Sukhjinder Mann; Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Wakanow, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wakanow, Mr. Adebayo Adedeji during the courtesy visit of the Wakanow team to Dana Air to commence the partnership of both organizations at Dana Air office at MMA2 on Friday

 

13th June 2022, Lagos, Nigeria: Wakanow, Africa’s leading travel tech company, has collaborated with Dana Airlines, a fully private sector-owned carrier in Nigeria, it is expected that Wakanow will deliver real-time inventory and continuous flight schedules 24/7. By virtue of this partnership, Wakanow is the only official online travel agency with Dana Airlines Nigeria’s Live Inventory bookable in real-time thus enabling the delivery of a seamless booking experience for Wakanow customers and Dana Airlines passengers to provide global standard in customer experience to the teeming customers of the airline.

 

 

 

In his speech at the commencement of this partnership, Mr. Adebayo Adedeji, CEO of Wakanow, said, “Wakanow is expected to bring in another differentiator to the Nigerian travel industry as we begin this collaboration with Dana Airlines. With this partnership, we are poised to change the face of domestic travel for Nigerian travellers and other tourists from across the world. We would bring our topnotch expertise to bear so that this collaboration will be a case study across the aviation industry.”

According to him, “The aviation industry is undergoing changes that will delight travelers and will bring a boost to the quality of service provided to the travellers. With Wakanow, Nigerians will continue to have bespoke services and superior customer experience across all our touchpoints for Dana Airlines.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In her words, the Chief Commercial Officer of Wakanow, Mrs. Adenike Macaulay said, “This integration with DANA Airlines will unlock an expanded domestic inventory selection for our customers making Wakanow the one stop shop for domestic travel bookings in Nigeria. Our expertise in the travel industry will be brought to the fore in exceeding customers’ experience with Dana Airlines bookings. She noted, “Our workforce is ready to support Dana Airlines in surpassing customers’ expectations.”

 

According to the DCEO of Dana Air, Sukhjinder Mann, Dana Air is a leading brand in the aviation industry and we are committed to partnerships that will be beneficial not just to the industry but to our teeming guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our collaboration with Wakanow is to create seamless, real-time booking options for our guests across the world and there are a lot of these partnerships in the works as part of efforts to continue to exceed the flying aspirations of our guests with improved customer experience.”

Wakanow has become renowned for her support to local and international airlines and enhancing the Nigerian aviation industry with distinct products and services. The travel tech company is built to cater to all the travel needs of travel enthusiasts from flights, hotels, holiday experiences, visa processing, COVID-19 tests, among other offerings for Nigerian travellers. As an indigenous African travel industry leader, Wakanow was a part of the 10th Aviation Stakeholders Convention that took place in Nairobi, Kenya recently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Wakanow.com
Wakanow is Africa’s foremost travel tech agency and offers the best travel deals and experiences. Wakanow is built to cater for all of the travel needs of travel enthusiasts from flights, hotels, holiday experiences, visa processing, COVID-19 tests, among other offerings.
Wakanow’s central focus is its customers and every product and package is created with that at the forefront. With an increasing presence across Africa, Wakanow is poised to ensure that Africans have the best travel experiences and also be at the forefront of showcasing the African beauty, heritage and culture to the rest of the world.

You can access and book amazing flight deals by visiting www.wakanow.com

 

 

About Dana Airlines
The Dana Airlines Limited operating as Dana Air is a fully private sector-owned carrier. The airline commenced flight operations on 10 November 2008 and has since its inauguration progressively developed a route network bringing convenience and choice to the flying public.

 

 

Committed to improving the well-being of customers in all product offerings, Dana Air is focused on bringing to Nigerians, an aviation service that combines the best elements of legacy carriers – world-class safety and quality on-board services coupled with the latest technology (online services) and operational efficiency of new-age carriers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With superior performance, service, and creativity, Dana Air is uncompromising in its commitment to excellence and safety as it is currently the only Nigerian carrier to have successfully undergone an operational audit conducted by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority Flight Safety Group in partnership with their foreign counterparts.

 

 

 

Dana Air is resolute in adhering to globally recognized safety standards and it is consistently reviewing its products and services to offer better solutions aimed at passengers’ comfort, safety as well as striving to build long-lasting relationships.
From its hub at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), Dana Air is one of Nigeria’s leading airline with a varied fleet of 9 aircraft and daily flights from LAGOS to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Enugu.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to the scheduled flight operations, Dana Air also offers Executive Charter Services
For more information about Dana Airlines, please visit https://flydanaair.com/

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Adron Homes Refutes FIJ’s Misleading Report, Sets Record Straight

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How Adron Homes Transform Shimawa into Ogun State Premier Real Estate Hub

Adron Homes Refutes FIJ’s Misleading Report, Sets Record Straight

Adron Homes & Properties Ltd. has recently become aware of a serious allegation published by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on May 22, 2025. The report claims that our company failed to refund a land payment to a client, Mr. Solomon Oludare Akinbo, after he allegedly made full payment for a plot at our Treasure Park and Garden, Phase 2, located in Shimawa, Ogun State.

We would like to express our strong disappointment that FIJ did not take the necessary steps to reach out to us for verification of these claims before making such serious allegations. The report contains significant misrepresentations that we categorically reject as malicious, defamatory, and misleading. It is imperative that we clarify the facts not only for the benefit of the public but also for our esteemed clients who trust us.

First and foremost, Adron Homes has at no point denied Mr. Akinbo his rightful plot allocation or refused his request for a refund. In fact, land was provisionally allocated to him, aligning with his initial expressed intent to construct a building on the plot. Our allocation policy, which is explicitly detailed in the Contract of Sale that Mr. Akinbo signed, stipulates that clients must formally indicate their readiness to build through a written notice before the allocation is finalized. This policy is designed to facilitate a well-planned development process and to prevent the occurrence of undeveloped or abandoned plots across our estates.

Additionally, it is crucial to point out that Mr. Akinbo voluntarily requested that Adron Homes manage the construction of his building project. Following his request, he selected a design for his building, and we prepared a detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ) for his review. At no point were either Mr. Akinbo or his legal representative coerced into accepting this proposal, as they have inaccurately claimed. We uphold a policy of allowing all our clients the freedom to engage any registered builder or construction engineer of their choice.

The allegations that Adron Homes solicited additional payments from Mr. Akinbo are entirely unfounded. Such statements are simply untrue and reflect a blatant intent to defame our company. We encourage the public to disregard these inaccurate claims in their entirety.

Concerning the matter of the refund request, it is important to highlight that Adron Homes has a transparent refund policy explicitly outlined in the same contract signed by Mr. Akinbo. This policy requires him to submit a written refund request. Upon receipt of such a request, Adron Homes will provide a Refund Form for him to complete, sign, and return. Moreover, Mr. Akinbo is expected to return all contractual documents currently in his possession before we can proceed with the closure of his account and the issuance of his refund cheque. Regrettably, despite multiple official communications reminding him of these requirements, both he and his legal representative have not complied.

It is particularly disheartening that FIJ chose to publish the report without giving space for Adron Homes to present its side of the story. Despite their claim of prior outreach, the publication did not reflect our official position nor did it verify the facts before going to press. This one-sided approach contradicts the principles of ethical journalism and has resulted in the propagation of false and damaging narratives about our company and its reputation.

In light of these developments, we formally demand the immediate removal of the misleading article from all FIJ platforms. We also request a formal retraction along with a written public apology. Additionally, we seek the publication of a follow-up article that accurately presents our perspective and rectifies the misinformation that has been circulated.

Adron Homes & Properties Ltd. remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and upholding the highest standards of service for all our clients. We will continue to work diligently to protect our reputation and to serve our clients with integrity and trust.

For further media enquiries or clarification, please contact clientservice@adronhomesproperties.com or publicrelations@adronhomesproperties.com

E-Signed,

Management
ADRON Homes & Properties Ltd.

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The Izuogu Z-600: Africa’s Lost Automotive Revolution

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The Izuogu Z-600: Africa’s Lost Automotive Revolution.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In 1997, a remarkable feat of African innovation unfolded in the heart of Imo State, Nigeria. Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, a brilliant electrical engineer and senior lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, unveiled what would become Africa’s first indigenous automobile: the Izuogu Z-600. It was more than a car, it was a symbol of African ingenuity, resilience and ambition. Aptly described by the BBC as the “African dream machine” the Z-600 was designed with 90% of its parts sourced locally. Its estimated retail price of just $2,000 had the potential to revolutionize transportation and economic empowerment across the continent.

A Vision Beyond Engineering

Dr. Izuogu’s dream went beyond building a car. His vision was to catalyze an industrial revolution in Nigeria, particularly in Igboland. The Z-600 was equipped with a self-made 1.8L four-cylinder engine, delivering 18 miles per gallon and reaching top speeds of 140 km/h. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was selected over rear-wheel drive (RWD) to reduce production costs, demonstrating a keen understanding of localized engineering solutions. The car was a marvel not just of machinery, but of determination in the face of overwhelming odds.

According to Dr. Izuogu, “If this car gets to mass production, Nigeria and Africa will no longer be the dumping ground for foreign cars.”

Initial Government Support and the Abandonment

Recognizing the car’s potential, the late General Sani Abacha’s administration constituted a 12-member panel of engineering experts to assess the Z-600’s roadworthiness. The committee gave the car a clean bill of health, recommending only minor cosmetic refinements. At the high-profile unveiling attended by over 20 foreign diplomats, the Nigerian government, represented by General Oladipo Diya, pledged a ₦235 million grant to support mass production.

However, like many well-meaning promises in Nigerian politics, this pledge remained unfulfilled. Not a single naira was released to Dr. Izuogu. Despite having passed official assessments and earning international interest, the Z-600 project was left to languish.

Dr. Izuogu lamented, “This was an opportunity for Nigeria to rise industrially, but it was squandered.”

Economic and Technological Loss

In 2006, a tragedy that seemed almost conspiratorial struck the Izuogu Motors factory in Naze, Imo State. At about 2:00 a.m. on March 11, twelve armed men invaded the facility, making away with vital components: the design history notebook, the Z-MASS design file for mass production, engine molds, crankshafts, pistons, camshafts and flywheels. Over ten years of research and development, worth over ₦1 billion, was effectively erased overnight.

“It seems that the target of this robbery is to stop the efforts we are making to mass-produce the first ever locally made car in Africa,” Dr. Izuogu said.

This was not just a loss to a single man, but a national economic tragedy. The theft of intellectual property on such a scale is rare and the fact that no serious investigation followed speaks volumes about the apathy toward indigenous innovation.

South African Opportunity and Another Betrayal

In 2005, a glimmer of hope emerged. The South African government, after seeing presentations of the Z-600, invited Dr. Izuogu to pitch the vehicle to a panel of top engineers. Enthralled by the innovation, South Africa offered to help set up a plant for mass production. Though flattered, Dr. Izuogu hesitated. His dream was for Nigeria to be the birthplace of an African industrial revolution not merely an exporter of talent.

Nevertheless, facing continuous neglect at home, he reluctantly began exploring the opportunity. Sadly, the robbery of 2006 dealt a final blow to this dream.

The Broader African Context

The story of the Z-600 is emblematic of a broader African malaise: the systemic failure to support indigenous innovation. According to Dr. Peter Eneh, a development economist, “Africa’s greatest tragedy is not poverty but the consistent sabotage of local ideas and talents by political inertia.”

In India, the Tata Nano was developed and rolled out in 2008, five years after Nigeria had the opportunity to lead the cheap car revolution. While the Indian government supported Tata Group with infrastructure and policy backing, Nigeria allowed politics and indifference to kill its golden goose.

As Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe, founder of the African Institution of Technology, noted, “Innovation dies not from lack of talent in Africa, but from institutional hostility.”

Lessons for Africa

The Izuogu Z-600 should be taught in engineering schools and policymaking institutions across Africa. It is a case study in potential wasted due to governance failure, insecurity and lack of strategic investment. The car could have generated thousands of jobs, stimulated related industries and positioned Nigeria as a pioneer in low-cost automobile manufacturing.

Instead, we mourn a lost opportunity. Dr. Izuogu’s death in 2020 closed the chapter on what might have been Africa’s most transformative technological breakthrough.

Lessons from a Forgotten Dream

Africa must learn from this colossal failure, innovation must be protected. Talent must be supported. Local entrepreneurs must be seen as national assets not nuisances.

Dr. Izuogu once said, “Our problem is not brains; our problem is the environment.” That statement still rings painfully true today.

The Tragedy of Unfulfilled Innovation

The Z-600 was not just a car but a movement, it was hope and proof that Africans can dream, design and deliver; but then dreams need nurturing. Ideas need investment. Hope needs a system that works.

Let the Z-600 remind us that the future is not given, it is made. And Africa, despite its challenges, still holds the power to create.

As the Nigerian-American businesswoman Ndidi Nwuneli puts it, “If Africa is to rise, it must learn to trust and invest in its own people.”

Let us never again allow another Z-600 to die.

The Izuogu Z-600: Africa's Lost Automotive Revolution.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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Global Trailblazers to Be Honoured as Expatriates Business Awards 2025 Unveils Grand Celebration in Lagos

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Global Trailblazers to Be Honoured as Expatriates Business Awards 2025 Unveils Grand Celebration in Lagos

Global Trailblazers to Be Honoured as Expatriates Business Awards 2025 Unveils Grand Celebration in Lagos

The stage is set for the 2025 Expatriates Business Awards (EBA), a prestigious celebration of global enterprise and diversity shaping Nigeria’s economic landscape. Scheduled for Sunday, July 6th, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event promises to be a night of elegance, culture, and recognition of foreign excellence driving local growth.

Speaking at the unveiling, Miss Odunola Abayomi, Director of Awards, highlighted the event’s bold vision: to honour the transformative contributions of expatriates, foreign businesses, and migrant communities in Nigeria.

“Today, we celebrate a vision that transcends borders,” she said. “This award is a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to those who have invested, innovated, and contributed immensely to Nigeria’s economy.”

Now in its fifth year, the Expatriates Business Awards—originally launched in 2020 as The Ethnic Business Awards (TEBA)—has evolved into a premier platform spotlighting global entrepreneurship within Nigeria’s borders. Past editions have featured high-profile hosts like media personality Daddy Freeze and Ghanaian actress Ella Mensah, setting a benchmark for excellence and inclusivity.

This year’s ceremony will feature a vibrant mix of exhibitions, music, comedy, and cultural performances, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and celebrating shared economic progress. The selection process is already underway, combining public nominations, opinion polls, and independent research to ensure transparent, merit-based recognition.

Powered by Pun Communications Ltd. and presented under the TEBA Foundation for Humanity, the event continues to uphold values of integrity, excellence, and impact.

“Nigeria is not just a destination; it’s a global opportunity hub,” Miss Abayomi added. “We invite the media, diplomatic corps, business leaders, and the international community to join us in celebrating the global heartbeat of Nigerian enterprise.”

For sponsorships, media inquiries, or ticket information, visit: www.theethnicbusinessawards.com

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