Author: TheScrutinyNG

Namibia has made history by electing its first female president, 72-year-old Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in a tightly contested election that has sparked controversy and opposition rejection. The ruling SWAPO party, which has governed the mineral-rich nation since independence in 1990, declared victory last week, with Nandi-Ndaitwah securing 57 percent of the vote. Her closest rival, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), garnered 25.5 percent, according to the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN). Despite her historic win, the election has been fraught with allegations of irregularities and logistical challenges. The November 27 polls were marred by technical failures, including…

The House Representatives on Tuesday urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mandate the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to ensure that all frozen accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) are unfrozen within 72 hours to enable the smooth recommencement of all the agency’s programmes. The House also resolved that the minister should ensure the release of funds to NSIPA for the payment of outstanding stipends owed to 395,731 N-Power beneficiaries nationwide without further delay. The House urged the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Nentawe Yilwatda, to ensure that…

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has given the 18 local government council chairmen in the state 48 hours to submit their statements of account. The governor who asked the LG chairmen to submit the statements to the Assets Verification Committee, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said the statement of accounts should be effective from September 4, 2023 till date. According to a press statement by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to Okpebholo, the governor said he would work closely with the chairmen from the 18 LGAs for a better state at a…

Yakubu Dogara, former speaker of the House of Representatives, has urged northerners not to criticise President Bola Tinubu over the proposed tax reform bills, saying the region is the most endowed in the country. Since the bills were introduced in the National Assembly, many northern leaders have criticised them, with millions in the region calling for a review, claiming the bills target the north. In response, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), representing 19 northern states, opposed the bills after a meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers Council. Speaking during Channels Television’s town hall on tax reform bills on Monday,…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has uncovered a counterfeit alcohol production site on Offin Road, Balogun, Lagos Island, following a public complaint. The site, a shop converted into a fake alcohol manufacturing hub, was raided on Monday. Assorted counterfeit beverages were destroyed on-site, while packaging materials, empty bottles, and repackaged drinks were seized. NAFDAC revealed in a statement shared via its official X handle, that the estimated value of the destroyed and confiscated items exceeds N30 million. The agency announced that it has initiated further investigations and advised consumers to purchase alcoholic beverages only…

American president-elect, Donald Trump, announced on Monday he has picked investment banker and Republican mega-donor Warren Stephens to serve as ambassador to the UK. “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time,” wrote Trump in a social media post. “I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America’s most cherished and beloved Allies.” Stephens is chairman, president and CEO of Stephens Inc, a privately owned financial services firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, according to the firm’s website. The businessman has donated regularly to conservative…

One Promise Boniface has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for allegedly stealing five children from a family in Obio Ibiono Local Government Area of the state. Boniface, along with other suspects apprehended for various crimes, was paraded on Monday at the State Police Command headquarters in Uyo. The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, disclosed that the stolen children were rescued unharmed and reunited with their parents. According to the CP, Boniface was intercepted after a hot chase involving local villagers and police operatives. The motorcycle used for the crime was also recovered. VANGUARD reports that Boniface,…

While so many states pegged the start of the new minimum wage payment last November, the Zamfara State Government which accepted to pay N70,000 said the payment would commence in March, 2025. This came as the state government and the organised labour have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of the N70, 000 new minimum wage. According to the state government, payment of the new national minimum wage in March, 2025 will commence after the completion of worker’s verification exercise. Representatives of the labour unions in the state also enjoined workers to shun the planned strike as directed…

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Monday, swore in three judges who were shunned by the Godwin Obaseki administration during the swearing-in of five of their colleagues last year. He said he did it in fulfilment of his campaign promise to right the wrong of his predecessor. The National Judicial Council, in June 2023, cleared and recommended eight judges for the Edo State High Court. The immediate-past governor, Obaseki, however, swore in five of them, leaving out the three others. The affected judges are Justices Ojo Osa, Okundamiya Jeff and Edoghogho Eboigbe. Supervising their swearing-in at the Festival Hall of…

The Federal Government has raised US$2.2 billion Eurobonds maturing in the international capital markets in 2031 (6.5-year) and 2034 (10-year) to finance the 2024 fiscal deficit and support the government’s budgetary needs. The Debt Management Office (DMO) announced in a statement on Monday that “The Federal Government has successfully priced US$2.2 billion in Eurobonds maturing in 2031 (6.5-year) and 2034 (10-year) in the international capital markets.” The funds have USS700 million and USS$1.5 billion placed in the 2031 and 2034 maturities, respectively. The 6.5-year and 10-year Notes were priced at Coupon and Re-offer Yields of 9.625 percent and 10.375 percent,…