Category: cover

Emirates Offers First Ever $500,000 Multi-Risk Travel Insurance Coverage

Emirates customers can now plan their travels and fly with even greater assurance and peace of mind, with the airline’s latest industry-first initiative to provide expanded, multi-risk travel cover on top of its current COVID-19 cover.

Provided by Emirates at no additional cost to its customers, and provided by AIG Travel, this cover is the first of its kind in the airline and travel insurance industry. It is designed to provide all Emirates passengers a truly unique offer for stress-free and hassle-free travel.

This new multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover will automatically apply to all Emirates tickets purchased from 1 December, and extends to Emirates codeshare flights operated by partner airlines, as long as the ticket number starts with 176.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive said: “Emirates was the first airline to offer complimentary global COVID-19 cover for travelers back in July, and the response from our customers has been tremendously encouraging. We’ve not rested on our laurels and instead continued to look at how we can offer our customers an even better proposition. We’re very pleased to be able to now provide this new multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover, which is another industry first, to all our customers.

“We see a strong appetite for travel around the world, especially heading into the winter holidays as people seek warmer climates and family destinations like Dubai. By launching this new multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover, we aim to give our customers even more confidence in making their travel plans this winter and moving into 2021.”

Emirates customers will be covered when they fly to any destination, in any class of travel. Highlights of the coverage include:

Out-of-Country Emergency Medical Expenses & Emergency Medical Evacuation up to US$500,000, valid for COVID-19 (contracted during the trip) and other medical emergencies while traveling abroad; Trip Cancellation up to US$7,500 for non-refundable costs if the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) is unable to travel because they are diagnosed with COVID-19 before the scheduled trip departure date, or for other named reasons – similar to other comprehensive travel cover products.

The package also offers Trip Cancellation or Curtailment up to US$7,500 if the school year is extended due to COVID-19 beyond the departure date, and the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) is a full-time teacher, full-time employee, or a student at a primary or secondary school. Trip Curtailment up to US$7,500 for non-refundable trip costs and additional costs to return to their country of residence if the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) falls critically ill, for instance, contracts COVID-19 while traveling abroad.
Travel Abandonment up to US$7,500 if the traveler fails a COVID-19-related test or medical screening at the airport and is required to abandon the trip.

Furthermore, customers will get US$150 per day per person, for up to 14 consecutive days if, while outside of their country of residence, the traveler tests positive for COVID-19, and if they are unexpectedly placed into a mandatory quarantine outside their country of residence by a governmental body.

“We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Emirates and we are excited to work with them to tailor this product to meet the needs of Emirates customers worldwide,” said Jeff Rutledge, CEO, AIG Travel. “Our hope is to help alleviate some of the concerns travelers may have when planning travel during this time.”

Similar to other multi-risk travel insurance products, Emirates’ generous cover also has provisions for personal accidents during travel, winter sports cover, loss of personal belongings, and trip disruptions due to unexpected air space closure, travel recommendations or advisories. Customers do not need to register or fill in any forms before they travel, and they are not obligated to utilize this cover provided by Emirates.

Emirates’ booking policies offer customers flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers who purchase an Emirates ticket for travel on or before 31 March 2021, can enjoy generous rebooking terms and options, if they must change their travel plans. Customers have options to change their travel dates or extend their ticket validity for 2 years.

Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes to all customers.

Dubai is now definitely open for international business and leisure visitors. From sun-soaked beaches and heritage activities to world class hospitality and leisure facilities, Dubai offers a variety of world-class experiences for visitors. In 2019, the city welcomed 16.7 million visitors and hosted over hundreds of global meetings and exhibitions, as well as sports and entertainment events. Dubai was one of the world’s first cities to obtain Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) – which endorses Dubai’s comprehensive and effective measures to ensure guest health and safety

Pragmatic Homes Unveils Pasuma and Iyabo Ojo as Brand Ambassadors

Pragmatic Homes, a diversified real estate investment, development and Management Company based in Lagos Nigeria last Thursday unveiled popular Fuji Singer Alabi Pasuma and top crossover Nigerian actress, Iyabo Ojo as the company new brand ambassador in a 3-in-1 event held at their new Lagos office located on highbrow Omole Estate Phase 2. 

The new ambassadors who were full of praise explained that the professionalism and ingenuity of the Pragmatic home team in meeting the demand of their teaming customers influence their decision to join the movement.

It was stated further by the new ambassadors that they will be working tirelessly to make sure many of their celebrity colleagues are encouraged to own properties with trailblazing and credible organization knowing that the creative industry does not promise retirement benefits.

While addressing the newsmen, Iyabo Ojo noted that it was important for entertainers and other people to own properties saying “As a new landlady, it is my desire and dream to see people of all ages get their properties. At Pragmatic Homes, they have proper documentation for all their properties. And one does not need to have all the money at once before getting the properties. They can pay in instalments.”

The event which also serves as the official launch of the company’s new state-of-the-art office edifice in Omole also serves as the kick-off of the publicity towards their new estate “Berry Courts” in Abeokuta, the company which prides itself as an real-estate company with properties in choice areas rather than most with lands in towns out of the main town.

Speaking on behalf of Pragmatic Homes, Dr. Shobowale the Managing Director explained that the company strategies in making sure anyone who come in contact with them smiles home with their choice property is by not only making the property affordable but also making payment flexible, it was also revealed that the company in other to make savings for property easy are in the process of establishing a mortgage bank that will be giving mortgage facilities to their customers.

No Attack On Zulum’s Convoy Or Security Aides, Media Aide Clarifies

A Sunday report by an online media, claiming there was another attack by Boko Haram on the convoy of Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, is false. There was neither an attack on the governor directly nor on any component of his convoy. 

Zulum’s spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, in a statement issued on Sunday, said Zulum traveled to Baga, spent a day supervising the distribution of food and other relief to thousands of residents and returned to Maiduguri safely with no hitch whatsoever.

“For the record, we write to quickly clarify that contrary to a “breaking news” by an online news medium, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum was neither attacked nor was any component of his convoy attacked by anyone.

“The governor was actually in Baga from Saturday to Sunday, during which he supervised the distribution of food and cash support to 5,000 residents and he assessed major reconstruction and resettlement efforts with no hitch whatsoever.

“While we continually accord respect to all media organizations as supportive partners, we importantly clarify that we have no knowledge of the breaking news” in question.

As members of the public can testify, it is the culture and principle of Professor Zulum to say things as they are, and in this case, it is what it is- no attack whatsoever.

Any media organization that wants further clarification may wish to contact the Nigerian military. Meanwhile, Governor Zulum appreciates all well wishers, and he gratefully commends armed forces and civilian volunteers for the relentless efforts to fully regain lasting peace in Borno State” the statement said.

Lekki Shooting: Army Clarifies Carrying of Blank And Live Ammunition, Insists Only Blank Ammo Was Shot

Following the cross examination that happened at the Lagos Judicial Panel, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, Commander of the 81 Division, Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, clarified that the army went to the tollgate with both blank and live ammunitions.

While being cross-examined, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Taiwo insisted that that the military acted within the Army’s Rules of Engagement in keeping up with professionalism.

Reacting to the statement by Major Osoba Olaniyi, Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, 81 division,  titled, “Re-Cross Examination of Brig General Ahmed Taiwo on Blank and Live Ammunition by Troops of 81 division, Nigerian Army”, he emphasised that carrying both blank and live ammunition is part of the table of Equipment for internal Security Operation as well as part of the rules of engagement for soldiers during such IS operations.

He advised Nigerians and stakeholders to beware of the antics of agents of both local and foreign destabilization who are bent on using the EndSARS plant seeds of discord in the nation.

The statement reads,“ The attention of the headquarters 81 division, Nigerian Army has been drawn to news items on both the social and mainstream media insinuating the troops of the Nigerian Army contradicted  its  evidence of firing blank ammunition when it also carried live ammunition for internal Security on the 20th October 2020.

“We hereby state unequivocally that carrying both blank and live ammunition is part of our table of Equipment for internal Security operations.

“It is part of the rules of engagement for soldiers on internal Security operations to carry both blank and  live ammunition .

“The use of any of these ammunition as stated in our rules of engagement depends on the level of threat at the operational area.

“Please note that one of the principles of internal Security operations is the use of minimum Force. Minimum Force itself is a function of the assessment of the Commander on ground.

“In this circumstances, ie;  the Lekki Toll Gate, the Commander on ground assessed that there was no need to use live ammunition. That was why only blank ammunition was used  at the Lekki Toll Gate.

“The blank ammunition was fired into the sky and not at the protesters.

“The results are all glaring as there was no fatality recorded. This has been corroborated by BBC reports and other reputable news media outfit.

“The use of blank ammunition/minimum Force achieved the aim of dispersing the hoodlums and crowd.

“It is pertinent to reiterate that the Nigerian Army is a law abiding institution that actis in tandem with her rules of engagement.

“We therefore wish to advice all stakeholders to guide against being used by local and foreign agents of destabilization who do not wish this country any good.

Transcorp Hilton Abuja Wins Four Awards at 2020 World Travel Awards

  • Named Africa’s Leading Business Hotel for the Sixth Consecutive Year

Transcorp Hilton Abuja has been honoured with four (4) awards including Africa’s Leading Business Hotel for the sixth consecutive year at the 27th annual World Travel Awards. 

The hotel, which is owned by Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, also won the awards for Nigeria’s Leading Hotel, Nigeria’s Leading Business Hotel and Nigeria’s Leading Hotel Suite (the Presidential Suite).

Commenting on the award, the General Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Kevin Brett, said, “We are delighted once again to receive the World Travel Awards in various categories. It is a testament to the fact that the hard work and commitment our team put in daily is recognised and appreciated”. Speaking further, he said “I thank our guests who through their continuous patronage and feedback have helped us retain the number one position in the Nigerian hospitality industry”

The Managing Director, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Dupe Olusola, in her remarks, highlighted the significance of receiving such an award during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She said, “It is such a pleasure to receive the ultimate seal of excellence in the global tourism and hospitality industry from the World Travel Awards. At a time were travellers are exploring only the best hospitality products, the significance of this recognition is truly important”

According to the organiser of the award, this year’s World Travel Awards nomination programme reported record and never before seen visitor traffic and engagement from the public voter (the all-important tourism consumer) despite the incredible challenges faced by our industry over the course of 2020. This shows that as the global recovery begins, the appetite for tourism has never been as keen and offers hope and much-needed encouragement to us all.

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

MC Wraps Returns with Freestyle

Veteran song writer and Gbolaboom Records boss, MC Wraps has returned to the music scene with a new groovy track titled ‘Freestyle’.

Freestyle is a rhythmic song creatively delivered with soothing melody. Indeed, while doing justice to the beat, MC Wraps proved his dexterity as a song writer with proven integrity.

Born Gbolahan Abu, MC Wraps, an indigene of Lagos State, started his foray into showbiz by writing song/lyrics and movie scripts.

Yanke, his first single as a singer released many years ago enjoyed reasonable reviews from music buffs locally and internationally.

Listen to Freestyle:

FIRSTBANK PROMOTES FINANCIAL INCLUSION AMONGST CHILDREN WITH KIDSFIRST AND MEFIRST ACCOUNTS

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider has announced its variant account products – KidsFirst and MeFirst – created to encourage the right savings culture among children from 0 – 17 years. The offerings have relevant enhancements including appropriate parental guidance and financial discipline for children as they grow into adulthood. Both accounts can be opened with zero balance and operated with a minimum balance of N100.00.

KidsFirst Account is designed for children between the ages of 0 and 12 years to sensitise them on how exciting saving can be. The account comes with a trendy gift item for the child when the account is opened with a minimum of N10,000.00. The account is automatically transited to MeFirst account when the child is 13 years old.

MeFirst account, on the other hand, is designed for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17.  This account is created in recognition of the need to help teenagers embrace the culture of financial responsibility and cashless payment  as they develop into young adults. They have access to attractive and trendy pre-paid cards through which parents/guardians can credit weekly/monthly allowance and monetary gifts. MeFirst account holders can select from 5 exciting card design options that suites their trendy style.

The Mefirst cards are enabled to pay for micro online shopping as desired – mobile games, apple music, Spotify and local POS transactions as well. Teens are thereby exposed to the cashless culture and electronic payment activities early in life, which is expedient in today’s digital age. Parents and guardians of the child are granted access to track and control the spend pattern.

Speaking on the accounts, Gbenga Shobo, FirstBank’s Deputy Managing Director said, “we are delighted with the role we play in promoting financial literacy amongst children and teenagers in the country. Our KidsFirst and MeFirst accounts are designed to ensure that parents and guardians are able to have their wards exposed to the right savings culture and financial discipline as they evolve to adulthood.”

“With these accounts, parents are able to save and strengthen their preparedness for various financial obligations of their children like paying for school fees as they progress with their academic pursuit which is pivotal to securing the future of the children. MeFirst and KidsFirst accounts are essential gifts from parents to their children”.

Emirates Rated World’s Safest Airline on the Planet

Emirates which just resumed its daily flights to Lagos, has been rated the safest airline in the world in its response to the COVID-19 Pandemic according to the Safe Travel Barometer.
The airline, which has set industry-leading safety standards since the resumption of its operations back in May, has topped the ranks with a ‘Safe Travel Score’ of 4.4 out of 5.0 among 230+ airlines evaluated worldwide. The score is based on an independent audit of 26 health and safety parameters evaluating safety protocols, traveller convenience and service excellence announced by airlines.
Safe Travel Barometer is the world’s most comprehensive solution to monitor and benchmark supplier initiatives in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry for the post-COVID world. Its rating mechanism considers safety measures and hygiene standards across all touchpoints of a traveller’s journey which Emirates has consistently delivered on. At every step of the journey, Emirates has spared no effort to prioritise the care, health and safety of its customers, employees and communities.
Enhanced biosafety measures taken by the airline include the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits, protective barriers at check-in desks and immigration counters, personal protective equipment and new safety protocols for cabin crew and airport employees in customer facing roles, and elevated aircraft cleaning procedures including the frequent cleaning and disinfecting of aircraft lavatories every 45 minutes during flights, amongst many other measures.
Emirates has also led the way in traveller convenience which was another sub-category considered by the Safe Travel Barometer. The airline was first in the industry to offer its customers free Covid-19 cover to help them travel with more confidence, knowing that medical expenses of up to EUR 150,000 and quarantine costs of EUR 100 per day for 14 days will be covered if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 during their travel, while they are away from home. Emirates’ booking policies also offer customers great flexibility and confidence to plan their travel. Customers have options to change their travel dates, or extend their ticket validity for 2 years. In addition, the airline launched initiatives to help its loyal Emirates Skywards members retain their tier status and introduce new ways for them to earn and spend their Miles.
The Safe Travel Barometer was launched in 2020 to monitor global traveller health and safety measures, traveler convenience initiatives and overall traveler experience which influences traveler’s decision-making and the actual journey in the new normal. The Safe Travel Score is an industry-first COVID-19 rating initiative, created in the wake of recovery from the pandemic.
Safe Travel Barometer is a B2B solution by Safe Travel Technologies, an independent subsidiary of VIDEC, a travel industry advisory and consulting firm. The coverage includes more than 2,000 companies across 10 industry categories, 50 parameters, and traveller arrival information on more than 80 destinations.
Emirates resumed its daily service to Lagos from 1 November. The expanded schedule of daily services offers enhanced connectivity for Nigerian customers to Emirates’ growing destination network via Dubai of close to 100 destinations.

Ecobank Nigeria Holds Awareness Webinar on Diabetes

Ecobank Nigeria has concluded plans to step up awareness on non-communicable diseases particularly diabetes to commemorate this year Ecobank Day. Ecobank Day is a special day set aside every year by Ecobank Group, for management and staff of the bank to embark on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities that impact its immediate environment and people. 

This year’s theme is ‘Take Action Against Diabetes’ It is scheduled for Wednesday 18th November at 11am  Join live event . Two specialists on Diabetes, Dr. Mosunmoluwa Obafemi Adio, Consultant Endocrinologist, Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at UCH, Ibadan, & currently a Consultant Endocrinologist With Evercare and Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Public Health Practitioner & Director, Saving One Million Lives Programme, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, who will speak on how best to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a Diabetic patient and new breaks on the dreaded disease. Also, a survivor will share his life experience. 2020 Ecobank Day events are being held virtually, to ensure safety from Covid-19. Registration is through

Patrick Akinwuntan, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, said “At Ecobank we take great pride in our commitment to ‘giving back’ to our communities and since 2013 we have held our annual Ecobank Day as our flagship event to do so. It is a day on which Ecobankers voluntarily give up their free time to help deserving causes and is also a focus for the Bank to make donations. Each year, a specific cause is supported, and these include education, maternal healthcare, safe water supplies, malaria prevention and cancer screening”. He noted that the pan African bank last year decided to focus on raising awareness and helping to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases as a three-year campaign with this year focusing on Diabetes.

Biyi Olagbami, Chief Risk Officer, Ecobank Nigeria, said “We all need to do everything that we can to raise awareness to help prevent Diabetes and the other NCDs in Nigeria. Regrettably, most people don’t know that they have it. It can cause all sorts of complications, including kidney damage, sight loss, amputation of feet and even premature death.” Olagbami, who also doubles as the lead CSR champion for Ecobank Nigeria disclosed that planned activities aimed at raising awareness about Diabetes, include informational webinars and controlled screening in strict adherence to measures outlined by the government to combat the spread of Covid-19. He added that donations will also be extended to credible organisations for training healthcare professional, equipping care structures, field monitoring and evaluation, advocacy.

The Truth about Ned Nwoko’s Alleged 7th Wife

Against the trending misinformation that billionaire philanthropic businessman Prince Ned Nwoko is taking a new wife based on the picture and videos on Instastory of a UK based Sara, we can tell you for free that nothing of such is in the offing.

Story broke-out recently that Prince Ned Nwoko, who just recently welcome a bundle of joy from his beautiful screen goddess wife Regina Daniels-Nwoko, is planning to marry a new wife by the name Sara or “Sar8al” on Instagram, but in a response to our query one of Delta State born billionaire’s aide revealed that the whole story is figment of some mischievous people’s imagination, in a chat with Society Gazette, it was revealed that the lady in question is a sister to Jasmine, one of Regina’s assistants.

We were informed that the lady followed Regina from U.K and she’s at the moment her guest, living with her at their home and she has no link to the Delta Prince in the way people are insinuating. The aide in his words further explained “Prince is not somebody who will do things like that in secrecy, he’s from a Royal family and has nothing to do with the lady, she was brought from UK by Regina as she worked for her when she was over there.

“She’s Jasmine’s sister and the rumor is bore out of the fact that Regina has been sharing her pictures and videos on her social media especially the one where she flaunted a supposed engagement ring with the caption “Wifey”, this must have set the tone of the rumor that she’s engaged to Prince Ned Nwoko, coupled with the fact she has been posting a lot of pictures with Regina’s cars and the house.” He concluded.

Sara who was spotted with Regina Daniels in Abuja over the weekend, has been seen chilling in the pool in Ned Nwoko’s house and also cruising cars Regina Daniels uses as seen in her now-deleted videos which she (Sara) shared on her Instastory. She has also been sharing photos at Ned Nwoko’s house which came with the geolocation “secret location”.

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