The Director of African Travel Market,  Ikechi Uko, has restated the need for a national carrier as part of measures to grow the tourism sector.

Uko, who made the call in a recent interview said  tourism flies on the wing of a national carrier and Nigeria needs one to become a tourism destination.

"I have always been an advocate of a national carrier because I have seen the benefits.I have worked with African airlines that are mostly government-owned and I know that the national carrier provided capacity that no airline can provide. The amount of training that the national carriers give in Africa is enormous. Capacity enhancement is one of the biggest problems we have because an airline will think of bottom-line" he said.

"I don’t want to train pilots for other people to poach or train an engineer for a Middle Eastern carrier to pay them double our offer.However, if you have a national carrier, this will be seen as national development. So, there are some things that are beneficial to the national carrier; there are some rights the national carrier will have which I think are missing”, he said.

Uko said Nigeria does not have any airline protecting its people. There is a gap in the aviation environment due to this fact.

According to him, Nigeria needs a national carrier that will represent and promote its tourism sector.

He also said the minister should go ahead to make sure Nigeria had a national carrier to drive tourism patronage.

Uko stressed the need to upgrade the aviation industry in order to boost tourism.

Osita Chidoka, the new Minister of Aviation, on assumption of office, promised to build on the Nigerian Aviation Master Plan to fast tract the growth and development of the sector.

7 most cringeworthy moments in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards

It’s almost time for the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, and as always, we can’t wait to see what happens!

Will Miley gyrate and twerk with her tongue out again? Will Britney kiss Madonna again? Will someone flash some boob? Whatever it is, the MTV Video Music Awards will definitely deliver something that will get the tongues wagging!

So, in preparation for the big night, which is airing live on Monday 25 August at 02:00 on MTV (DStv channel130) from The Forum theatre in Los Angeles, we decided to recap the seven most controversial moments in the history of the MTV VMAs.

Here goes:

7) Rebellion in its purist form

The fact that Nirvana had a love-hate relationship with MTV is common knowledge, but in 1992 the band created quite a stir with their performance at the awards show. MTV wanted them to perform their hit song Smells Like Teen Spirit, and of course, Kurt Cobain didn’t want to. He eventually agreed to playLithium, but in true Cobain style, he started out singing Rape Me on the night of the show before launching into Lithium. Such a rebel!

6) A bit of boob fondling anyone?

In 1999, Lil’Kim was literally the centre of attention when she rocked up at MTV VMAs with an off-shoulder/one-boob catsuit. The only thing covering her nipple was a sequinned pasty. So, while she was on stage, her co-presenter Diana Ross just couldn’t help herself and fondled her boob. We get it, it was just there, staring you in the face, we don't blame you Diana!

5) Britney’s massive fail

In 2007, Britney was given a performance slot for her song Gimme More at the MTV VMAs. What was meant to be a comeback after a disastrous few years turned into one of the most bizarre performance ever with Britney looking quite out-of-it and confused. Poor thing!

4) Courtney Love VS Madonna

During the 1995 MTV VMAs, Courtney Love decided to interrupt an interview with Madonna by throwing her with stuff from her handbag. Weird!

3) The famous threesome

Who could ever forget Madonna and Britney kissing on stage during the award show in 2003? But, what most people missed was the kiss between Madonna and Christina Aguilera! Yes, it did happen.

2) Kanye’s 15 seconds of fame

In 2009 Taylor Swift won the award for Best Female Video. Kanye just couldn’t take it and decided to storm the stage during Taylor’s acceptance speech to tell the world that Beyoncé deserved the award. Totes awkies!



1) Miley’s infamous twerking vibes

Yes, this is probably the most talked about VMA performance ever! Miley’s twerking/grinding/gyrating against Robin Thicke. Most. Awkward. Moment. Ever.



*What will happen this year?! For all the MTV Video Music Awards 2014 news follow Channel24 on Twitter and join us on Facebook to get all the scoop on Monday 25 August.