The Nigerian Civil Aviation Author­ity, NCAA, has said five airports in the country may be reopened in the first phase of the reopening exercise over the weekend at a Webinar organised by the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative, ART with the theme: ‘COVID-19: The Challenges and Op­portunity for Nigeria’s Aviation Value Chain, During and Post.’

The regulatory agency disclosed that the airspace reopening would com­mence with domestic operations, while regional and international would follow suit, noted that air transport must be safe and not become part of spreading the COVID19 pandemic, stressing that physical distancing was important in ensuring safety in the industry, therefore, disclosed that, discussions were ongoing with the airlines on the possibility of the airlines vacating the middle seats for enhancement of safety of the industry in Nigeria.

2. IG’s forensic team in Edo to investigate UNIBEN student’s death



The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has deployed a team of forensic investigators to the state, to unravel the killing of University of Benin, UNIBEN student Vera Uwaila Omosuwa, continues to generate anger and condemnation across the country, as the 22-year-old was reportedly gang-raped last week at a Redeemed Christian Church of God, auditorium in Benin, the Edo State capital, and later died from a head injury in hospital.



The Police spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, on Monday, disclosed this, in a statement, where the police chief promised that the perpetrators would be arrested and brought to book, while, condemning the attack, therefore commiserates with the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased.

While urging the family to be calm, however assures that the Force will surely bring the perpetrators of the callous act to book in the shortest possible time, according to report.

3. Osun govt, clerics to meet on worship centres



The Osun State government has plan to meet religious leaders in Osun State in order to work out the modalities for the reopening of worship centres, following the development of the new set of directives and guidelines issued by the Federal Government in the new phase of the easing of lockdown, announce on Monday.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Mrs. Funke Egbemode disclosed that, this meeting with the clerics will ensure proper implementation of the new set of guidelines, while appreciating the patience of the citizens of Osun State so far.

Therefore, use this medium to urge citizens and residents not to be too anxious to assert the liberties contained in the new guidelines, so that they won't lose the gains that we have made over the last few weeks in the state.

4. CAN happy with reopening plan



The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has hailed the Federal Government for the planned reopening of worship centres, describing the development as victory over the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Following a statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to CAN, President Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, disclosed that, he is about to get the details before he will react to the policy fully, while welcoming the development, noting that, our prayers is that God will surely deliver us from the COVID19 in the mighty name of Jesus.

While Christians and Muslims return to their worship places to pray for victory over deadly disease, saying God will surely answer Nigerians prayers as closure of the worship places is not acceptable to God.

5. Banks, hotels, others back as govt reopens businesses



Businesses in Nigeria on Monday, got a new lease of life as Federal Government commenced the phase two of the ease of lockdown by gradually reopening the economy, noting that, Banks were given immediate clearance to operate fully, while Hotels got the nod to reopen but must observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical intervention.

Following a statement by the Presidential Task Force, PTF on Coronavirus control, revealed the new guidelines on Monday evening at the end of the first phase of lockdown easing ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 4, noting that, the Aviation Industry is also to be reopened this month, while Airlines and other stakeholders in the industry have been given till June 21 to work out all necessary plans and preparations for the resumption of domestic flights, in the country.

6. 11 Lagos councils, Abuja, Ota lead in COVID-19 cases



The report, which was obtained at the weekend has showed that, Lagos Mainland Council had the highest number of COVID-19 cases out of Nigeria 774 Local Government areas, while Eleven of the 20 Local Government areas that account for 60 per cent of coronavirus cases are in Lagos State, sequel to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s, NCDC’s reports.

Trailing Lagos Mainland are Abuja Municipal council with 536 cases, Mushin Local Government Area in Lagos, 458, Eti-Osa Local Government Arae in Lagos, 403 and Tarauni in Kano State, 248 while 62,583 samples had been tested as at May 30 and about 10,023 contacts of positive patients had been followed up till date, according to newsmen.

While report was gathered before the national tally shot up to 10,162 after the NCDC confirmed 307 new cases on Sunday night, noting that, the Male accounted for 67 per cent of the cases and female 33 per cent, where Cross River State had not recorded a confirmed COVID-19 case, according to report.

7. Two years after, National Single Window remains in limbo



About two years ago, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in conjunction with the Federal Government, promised to set up a National Single Window, NSW, platform to be managed by the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to be funded from the one per cent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme, where Stakeholders charges for payments and boost revenue from the non-oil sector, as window must be put in place by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

An importer, Chief Solomon Ibidapi, has said the government is losing 30 per cent of its revenue to the arbitrary charges, due to the official tariffs, port charges remain very cheap, while some uncertainties like ship security and safety have added to the cost and that is why many uncleared goods at the ports, according to report by newsmen.

8. How Lekki Free Trade Zone Exports $30m Goods In Twelve Months



The Lagos State government has said that the multi-billion Naira Lekki Free Trade Zone, LFTZ has suc­ceeded in exporting goods worth $30 million in the last 12 months, explained that 19 new companies were at various stages of deployment at the Free Trade Zone, LFTZ.

The Commission­er for Commerce, Industry and Co­operatives, Mrs Lola Akande, disclosed this during the 2020 Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating one year in office of the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led ad­ministration, further explained that, the Lagos State Gov­ernment owned 40 per cent, while China Africa Lekki Investment Ltd, CALIL owned 60 per of the Lekki Free Trade Zone Development Com­pany.