For the benefit of respective community members, two entities from Nigeria and Ethiopia have come forward and formally pledged to co-operate and make use of each other’s services.
The Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Qatar, the representative of the Nigerian community in Qatar, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopian Airlines, for co-operation and mutual usage of services provided by both entities and promotion of special offers and discounts from Ethiopian Airlines to the Nigerian community in Qatar. The agreement, which was signed last week, is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension.
The terms of the MoU include a special offer by Ethiopian Airlines to the Nigerian community of 15% discounts on existing-applicable passenger fares from Qatar to Nigeria, 2pc/23kg baggage allowance and cargo rates that are more attractive to all Nigerian destinations.
NIDO-Qatar will provide an avenue on its social media platforms and sponsored community events to distribute Ethiopian Airlines brochures and fliers to its members.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the Enoch Pear Duchi, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria, Qatar; Shiberu Mamo, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Ethiopia, Qatar; Amadi Nwokocha, NIDO-Qatar President and Nebiat Hailemichael, Area Manager of Ethiopian Airlines.
“It is encouraging to witness such an initiative. Both parties have to be faithful to the agreement and I am certain that the Ethiopian Airlines will do their best to honour the terms of the agreement while NIDO should also take this advantage,” said Duchi.  
“I encourage NIDO to reach out to the Nigerian community and tell them about this laudable agreement with the airline; encourage them to patronise the airline. I am sure the Enugu route would have many passengers during the festive period and am sure Ethiopian will enjoy the relationship,” he added.
The Ethiopian envoy congratulated the airline and the Nigerian community for the agreement. He emphasised the safety, customer service and effective air service of the airline. “Ethiopian Airlines is the largest, fastest and the most profitable airline group in Africa serving more than 90 destinations and flying to four cities in Nigeria — Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Kano. As a pan-African airline, Ethiopian Airlines started the flight to Nigeria in 1960. It has been serving our Nigerian brothers and sisters for more than five decades without interruption, even at the time of crisis like Ebola,” said Nebiat Hailemichael, Area Manager of the airline.
“We have a convenient connection with less than two hours connection time in Addis Ababa for Abuja, Lagos and Kano,” he informed the audience.
According to NIDO-Qatar, membership registration is required to access these special offers. Registered members of the community wishing to travel to Nigeria should obtain the discount code from NIDO-Qatar Executive Council members, can go online to Ethiopian Airline website and make their booking to their desired Nigerian destination, enter the code and automatically receive the 15% discount on the fare.
Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 85 international destinations across five continents.
Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.
Recently, NIDO-Qatar launched its new website and membership card to assist both public and private entities in Qatar in sourcing for information and opportunities in Nigeria. The membership card is to create avenues for discounts on purchases and services.
The organisation is the umbrella body of over 7,500 Nigerians in Qatar. Its aims are to promote unity, love and harmony amongst all Nigerians living in the State of Qatar, promote the image of our country and assist every Nigerian in Qatar to achieve their legitimate personal goals and aspirations.