November 14, 2006

VIRGIN NIGERIA APPOINTED OFFICIAL CARRIER OF ABUJA @ 30 CELEBRATIONS

LAGOS, NOVEMBER 14, 2006: Virgin Nigeria, the country's private sector flag carrier, has been designated as the 'Official Airline Carrier' for the Abuja @ 30 anniversary celebration activities which will climax February 2007.

Virgin Nigeria by virtue of the official carrier status airlifted all the international football stars featuring in an international charity match tagged: “Charity Football match”.

All the proceeds from the match would be channelled into building 1,000 housing units in Abuja for low income earners towards the realization of the vision of Abuja as a first class and inclusive city.

Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Nigeria, Dr. Yemi Osindero, said Virgin Nigeria's support of the Abuja @ 30 anniversary celebrations stems from the company's belief in the objectives of the anniversary towards the realization of Abuja as a model capital city.

"The accelerated pace of growth and recent developments in Abuja over the past few years are commendable, especially as the Abuja cityscape has served as a remarkable symbol of unity and pride to all Nigerians. Virgin Nigeria is pleased to identify with the vision of the organizers to put together this noble idea to further raise funds to consolidate the Abuja master plan”.

Dr. Osindero further acknowledged the contributions of the present Federal Capital Territory administration of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai towards enforcing the original Abuja master plan with a view to building enduring structures and city legacies.

Some of the football stars flown into the country for tomorrow’s charity football match include Kanu Nwankwo who is well known for his charitable works, especially in the area of bringing solace to children with heart disorders, Abedi Pele, Mark Fish, Anthony Baffoe, Patrick Mboma, Mercel Seaaailey, Samuel Etoo among others.

About Virgin Nigeria:
Virgin Nigeria is the registered, fully private sector flag carrier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, owned 51% by Nigerian Institutional shareholders and 49% by Virgin Atlantic.

The airline operates the following

intercontinental services:
Lagos to London: Daily
Johannesburg: Three times a week
Dubai: Three times a week until October 15th 2006

Regional services:
Accra: Daily
Douala: Two times a week
Dakar: Two times a week

Domestic services:
Lagos - Abuja: Six times daily
***Lagos - Port Harcourt: (Now diverted to Owerri two times daily)
***Abuja - Port Harcourt: (Now diverted to Owerri once daily)
Lagos - Kano: Five times a week
Abuja - Kano: Five times a week

For reservations, call (01) 460 0505; (01) 271 1111; (09) 461 0505; (084) 460505

For all press enquiries, please contact: corporatecommunications@virginnigeria.com

For media information in Nigeria only, please contact Corporate Communications, 3rd floor, Ark towers, Plot 17 Ligali Ayorinde Street, VI, or corpcomm@virginnigeria.com; 234 -1 – 2711144

For media information in the UK please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747 373.