Domestic Flight Operations Resume In Nigeria Today see details..

There was low ticket booking on Tuesday ahead of to Wednesday’s resumption of domestic flights in Lagos and Abuja, Daily Trust has learnt. The resumption was 102 days after local and international flights were suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flight resumption: Last cabin row for passengers’ isolation NAF: Flights into healthy interventions Flights would resume at Port Harcourt, Kano and Owerri airports on July 11; and others, July 15 as announced last week by the Federal Government. Some airlines’ managers said that there had not been much rush for tickets by passengers.

A travel agent said booking had not picked up ahead of flight resumption on Wednesday. The Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said many people were sceptical about travelling, but assured that with all the protocols put in place, there was no cause for alarm. It was also learnt that airfares have marginally increased ahead of the flight resumption. Checks by Daily Trust indicated that Lagos-Abuja one-way ticket cost between N29,189 and N33,000 on booking 48 hours to the flight.

“Ordinarily, before the COVID-19 crisis, you could get between N21,000 and N25,000 ticket when booking like two days before the travel time, but we are seeing a slight increase with most airlines starting with N33,000.

“The cheapest you are seeing is N29,000 for a one-way ticket for Lagos-Abuja,” a travel agent explained. An aviation stakeholder, Alex Nwuba, said the increase in airfare was not significant if compared with the cost of doing business “that has doubled”, noting that the present fare regime was not even sustainable. Domestic airports resume with 3 flights as NCAA approves 6 airlines As the airports reopen for domestic flights Wednesday, only three flights are expected to operate between Lagos and Abuja, it was learnt.

Meanwhile, Director-General, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Musa Nuhu, has said six airlines out of the eight scheduled domestic carriers would commence operations. He disclosed this last night at the stakeholders’ webinar to assess the level of preparedness for the industry restart. Statistics by the Industry Restart Committee indicated that all the components of the sector including the airports, airlines, ground handling companies, have scored above average and are ready to go.

Air navigation service providers scored 93, airlines scored 94.4, domestic airports scored 87 while the ground handlers and Aviation security were rated 75 each in terms of preparedness which is above average. The DG said significant progress has been made and the industry is ready to resume after 102 days of flights suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also disclosed that the two ground handling companies- the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC and the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc had been approved to start operations.

FG announces date for commencement of WAEC examination see details...

The West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will now hold from August 4 to September 5, 2020.

This was announced by the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajuiba, on Monday during the daily COVID-19 Presidential Task Force briefing.

“As soon as we conclude WAEC, we will take NABTEB and NECO,” he said.

The federal government last week approved what it called “safe reopening” of schools nationwide.

The government said the reopening of schools was meant to allow students in graduating classes (Primary 6, JSS 3, SS3) resume preparation for examinations.

The federal government had earlier announced that final year students, including those to take the WAEC examinations, would resume schools.

Schools across Nigeria have been shut since March 19 to contain the spread of COVID-19.

However, the minister said local timing for the WAEC examination will be published soon.

“The idea is we have a month from now till August 4, so the states who are willing should make their schools available for their children to revise,” he said.

Federal Government Extends Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Lockdown see details...

Federal Government Extends Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Lockdown for Another four (4) Weeks.

- Curfew is still from 10pm - 4am

- Wearing of Facial Mask is still Compulsory for everyone

- Domestic Flight are to resume Immediately.

- InterState Travelling will resume 1st July, 2020.

Vehicles must be filled at 50%.

And all Passengers must put on Face Mask.

- Funerals & Wedding Gathering Should not be more than 20 persons (Including family members).

- Churches and Mosques activities will remain as it was in Phase 2

- School are to remain shut, but those who are eligible for promotional class will be allowed to sit for the exam (ie Students preparing for Common entrance, Student preparing for Junior Waec and Students preparing for WAEC

- Restriction on Sport and Recreational Activity is still in Operation.

- Banks/ Financial Institutions are to continue their normal Operation as allowed in Phase 2

- Eighteen (18) Local Government Areas in Nigeria account for 60% of COVID-19 cases and those Local Government Areas have to be locked down to contain the spread of the Pandemic in the country.

The precision lockdown would be implemented by the Governors of the States where the 18 Local Governments Reside.

~~ PTF Chairman On COVID-19, Boss Mustapha

Music Legend Majek Fashek is dead

Legendary and Poluplar Musician, Majekodunmi Fasheke, popularly known as Majek Fashek, is dead. 

It was gathered that he died in New York after a protracted illness.

His manager, Uzoma Omenka, confirmed the development on the late singer’s Instagram handle.

He said, “Yes, it is true that the legend has gone to be with the Lord. But this time I want to say we should all celebrate him, his achievements. He has done a lot for Nigeria and for Africa.

“Whatever the family decides, I will get (it) to you. This is all I have to say for now.”

He died at the age of 57

BEM, SINGER, SONGWRITER, GUITERIST RELEASES ART WORK FOR BRAND NEW SINGLE, "I REMEMBER". BRAND NEW SINGLE, "I REMEMBER".

BEM RELEASES ART WORK FOR BRAND NEW SINGLE, "I REMEMBER".

What inspired you to write this piece of music?

I actually began writing this song about 14 years ago. For some reason, I could not bring myself to finish it till the ending of 2019; which is kind of ridiculous when you hear the simplicity of I REMEMBER. Generally, I would say the motivation for the song began as self-reflection and was finished based on the appreciation of others whose lives were going through similar dramatic changes. It is in this spirit of shared experiences that the song was also made; with a group of friends involved.

Was writing I REMEMBER in response to something significant that happened in your life?

When I woke up on my 30th birthday the opening lines came to me and, for a while, I figured it was because i had hit a milestone in my life. In the time that has passed, the heart of the chorus has always rang in my ears, especially at those times when my life has literally ground to a halt or when some unspeakably good thing has occurred. There have been quite a number of them, and for some time I have been weary of increasing difficulties for many people across the world. We thought it would help to position I REMEMBER now so that people could reconcile with the memories of the past and those they are about to create; good and bad.

Where were you when you wrote and recorded it?

I was in Abuja when I started writing I REMEMBER. Last year, I moved to Gboko, #Benue state to run my late father's farm and that is where I put finishing touches to it. There was an urgency I felt to hit the studio and this is contrary to my practice. I like to take at least one year to perform new songs before different audiences and work out the kinks before I even think about recording. Anyway, I called up my friend, Emmeo Ogwuche, and we got to it when he came into Makurdi  from Lagos. We got a number of friends together and made it work.

What are the ideas behind I REMEMBER?

Anyone who has lived for a significant amount of time has very likely asked this puzzling question "Why am I here"? There are no easy answers but what has come to my knowledge is that simple reflection and appreciation for past and present circumstances can help you see something of a foundation of your life, get a grip on what is truly important, and move forward with power. For me, it was recognizing the preservative influence of God in my life in spite if my many mistakes.

What is the connection between you, your instruments, band mates, and collaborators?

If I were to put my answer in one word, it would be #guitar. After my voice, the guitar is my next favorite instrument and, just like people, each guitar has its own unique voice and personality. It is also a refreshing experience when the same guitar spews out different ranges of expression handled by different players. This intriguing fact has bound me to the people I enjoy making music with the most.

COVID-19: Nigeria is heading towards recession, says Finance Minister

Nigeria’s finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, says the coronavirus pandemic and falling oil prices are set to force the economy into negative growth.

Ms. Ahmed made the comments after the National Economic Summit meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

“On the economy, COVID-19 has resulted in the collapse in oil prices,” she said. “This will impact negatively, and the impact has already started showing on the federation’s revenues and on the foreign exchange earnings.

“Net oil and gas revenue and influx to the federation account in the first quarter of 2020 amounted to N940.91 billion.  This represented a shortfall of N125.52 billion or 31% of the prorated amount that is supposed to have been realised by the end of that first quarter.”

She added that the economic contraction will multiply the misery of the poor.

“The crisis will only multiply this misery,” she said. “The economic growth in Nigeria, that is the GDP, could in the worst case scenario, contract by as much as -8.94% in 2020.  But in the best case, which is the case we are working on, it could be a contraction of -4.4%, if there is no fiscal stimulus. But with the fiscal stimulus plan that we are working on, this contraction can be mitigated and we might end up with a negative -0.59%.” (Channels TV)

Multichoice To Begin Auditions For Big Brother Naija Season 5

A new season of the fan-favourite reality show, Big Brother Naija is reportedly hitting the airwaves sooner than Oanticipated.

According to several social media posts shared by African Magic on Wednesday, May 20, it stated that its fifth season, the BBNaija show will run an online audition process from May 20 till May 30.

This time, the auditions for Big Brother Naija which is sponsored by Multichoice will be done entirely online. 

Interested participants are required to partake in the online audition that kicks off today, 20th of May 2020, and wrap up on 30th of May 2020. 

If you think you have what it takes to be a Housemate this season, then don't hold back! You are expected to record a two-minute video of yourself, stating why you should be picked to be a Housemate in season 5 of Big Brother  Naija  Only after recording your video, then you need to fill out the online registration form and upload your video below. 

Please answer all questions on the form fully and honestly. If it is discovered that you have been deliberately untruthful or have withheld information relevant to your character or your past, you will be disqualified from the selection process. 

The online audition is free and open to interested male and female participants, who are of Nigerian nationality with a valid Nigerian passport, and must be at least 21 years of age by June 1, 2020.

To enter the Online Auditions

Click Here.

While a launch date is yet to be confirmed, the upcoming show is expected to ride on the success of previous highly successful editions. Top on the list of questions is how organizers plan on managing the mammoth crowd that its auditions attract especially amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the success of the fourth season of Big Brother Naija, MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that the fifth season of the show will premiere in July 2020.