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British Airways Makes Record Loss of £292m

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British Airways intends to cut a further 3,000 jobs over the next six months; around 1,900 employees have left the airline since April.
British Airways has plunged to a record pre-tax loss of £292 million over the past six months, traditionally its most profitable trading period, as the airline fights to stave off Christmas strike action that will deepen its financial woes.
British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh, warned Ba’s 38,690 staff that the airline’s worst first half results since privatisation made further cost reductions “essential”.
The high court failed to award an injunction against BA cost-cutting measures yesterday but the Unite trade union, which is attempting to halt reductions in cabin crew levels, vowed to press ahead with a strike ballot that could bring the airline to a halt from 21 December onwards.
British Airways underlined how far its business model is out of kilter with its cost base this morning as it reported a pretax loss of £292 million in the six months to 30 September, compared with a profit of £52 million for the same period last year.
The airline is now losing £1.6 million a day after failing to generate enough revenue during the usually profitable summer months a key period for all airlines.
Revenues fell by 13.7 per cent to £4.1 billion, in line with a deep reduction in fares as BA scrambled to maintain demand from passengers, including the all-important business class customers who generate the majority of its profits.
However, overall costs outstripped turnover at £4.2 billion and the loss was deepened by pension and finance costs.
Walsh said the airline industry remained in dire straits and cited forecasts by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that carriers will lose $11 billion (£6.6 billion) this year despite declining fuel prices.
The BA boss earned the moniker “slasher Walsh” when he turned around Irish carrier Aer Lingus with a brutal cost reduction programme and signaled another budget crackdown over the next six months.
“It’s imperative we continue to deliver on our plans to reduce costs further in the second half,” he said. “With revenue likely to be £1bn lower this year, we can’t stand still and further cost reduction is essential.”
Walsh believes the worst declines in passenger numbers are over customer numbers fell by 469,000 to 17.7 million over the period but warned that the industry was still in recession with no sign of “green shoots” yet.
BA said it intends to cut a further 3,000 jobs over the next six months, including the equivalent of 1,700 cabin crew with the rest to come from international employees and ground staff including check-in desk workers. Around 1,900 employees have left the airline since April. Staff represent BA’s second biggest cost after fuel, accounting for about a quarter of expenditure, but attempts to wring cost savings from the airline’s 14,000 cabin crew have descended into acrimony.
The Unite union, which represents the majority of flight crew, is holding a ballot on proposals to cut crew on long-haul flights from 15 to 14 and warned yesterday that it expects a “resounding” yes vote.
The last industrial dispute between BA management and cabin crew cost the airline £80 million despite a last-ditch agreement that avoided a walk-out. However, the 11th hour deal came too late to prevent thousands of customers from booking elsewhere after BA cancelled flights in advance of looming strikes.

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Independence Anniversary:  Nigeria Is A Failed Grandfather – Monarch 

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A first class traditional ruler in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Aaron Ikuru, has described Nigeria at 65 as a grandfather who cannot provide leadership to other African Countries.

The monarch  stated this in an interview at his palace in Ikuru Town, yesterday.

According to him, Nigeria would have been a  developed country to set the pace in the whole of Africa, considering its numerous resources.

“Nigeria is a grandfather but not behaving as a grandfather. Our country, Nigeria, before and from the era of Independence was in the state of becoming a great country, but unfortunately is not becoming anything.

“We should be far ahead with what we have in the country. God blessed us, we have almost what it takes in terms of mineral resources, manpower amongst others that can drive speedy development in the country.

“If we’re able to harness all the things we have, even America by now would have respected us”, he  said.

While blaming the past leaders of the country, the monarch called on the current leadership of the country to redouble efforts in order to narrow the differences in terms of development, exchange rate between naira and foreign currencies.

King Ikuru, who is also the Chairman of Andoni Area Traditional Rulers Council, however, lauded the efforts of the founding fathers, past leaders of the country for the achievements so  far.

He also expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great, calling on the opinion leaders to shun tribalism and political intolerance in the country.

 

“If Nigeria should experience rapid development in all sectors, it means we must shun tribalism and political intolerance, the interest of our country must be our priority.

“We need to fight corruption vigorously, and leaders must show good example of discipline and integrity”, he said.

The monarch used the opportunity to wish Nigeria happy independence anniversary.

By: Enoch Epelle 

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FG begins payment of N32,000 pension increment to retirees – PTAD

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The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of the new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, saying the adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle.

In a statement signed by Management and posted on its X handle, PTAD said the increase package includes a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories, which will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under its management.

Recall that PTAD in August announced President Bola Tinubu approved a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under DBS.

The approval follows a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.

The measures include a N32,000 pension increment, percentage increases for pensioners of defunct and privatised agencies, pension harmonisation for all DBS pensioners, enrolment into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and the settlement of long-standing unfunded pension liabilities.

In a statement yesterday, PTAD said the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.

The statement read, “Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS) that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the 832,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.

“This achievement has been made possible through the partial release of 820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance, from the initial 845 billion emergency funding approval granted by the Federal Government.

“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS Pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The directorate thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation.

It also acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Accountant-General of the Federation and key presidential aides and parliamentary committees for their “timely interventions” and support.

The statement also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups, including the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria, for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.

“We further assure all our DBS Pensioners and Stakeholders that the Directorate will continue to collaborate with the relevant authorities towards release of the outstanding approved funds and subsequent fulfilment of all future obligations relating to the pension increments and the landmark reforms,” the statement added.

The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.

Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.

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Nigeria At 65: NOA urges citizens to foster unity, progress

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The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigeria. citizens to remain united, peaceful to enhance development of the  nation  as it celebrates 65th independence anniversary.

Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, Director of NOA in Akwa Ibom,  gave the charge in Uyo yesterday while addressing newsmen and stakeholders to mark the anniversary.

Mkpoutom said it was essential to recognise that the strength of Nigeria lay  in its diversity

“With over 250 ethnic groups and an array of languages, the nation embodies a unique blend of heritage.

“This diversity should be seen not as a dividing line but as a unifying force that propels the country toward progress.

“As Akwa Ibom embarks on another year,  it is crucial for all citizens to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose.

“Embrace dialogue, understanding and collaborate with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu in its efforts to addressing pressing challenges like poverty, security, education, and healthcare, thereby paving  way for a brighter future for all.”

The state director, however, appealed to Nigerians from all walks of life to renew their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful, and equitable nation.

“Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of the collective strength that lies in every citizen,” he said.

He urged everyone to contribute positively to the development of a better society.

Mkpoutom urged the people and all citizens to honour the labours of heroes past, as they celebrated the present, while working diligently toward a future filled with hope and opportunities for generations to come.

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