Author: TheScrutinyNG

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that starting January 2025, all drivers in Abuja, including taxi, bus, and motorcycle operators, must have official security clearance and use only authorised vehicles with the standard Abuja colour scheme. This measure is intended to boost security and ensure public confidence in transportation services by tracking operators more effectively. Wike disclosed this on Thursday, during the launch of the Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja. “Most of the motorcycles are informants. Everybody here, by the beneficiary, is being profiled by security. And so what we’re coming up from, from January…

The death toll from Spain’s worst floods in decades soared to 158 on Thursday, emergency services and officials said, as rescue services worked frantically to find survivors. The body coordinating rescue work in the eastern Valencia region announced that 155 bodies had been recovered there. Officials in Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia announced a combined three deaths in their regions. AFP reports that an exceptionally powerful Mediterranean storm from Tuesday unleashed heavy rains and torrents of mud-filled water that swept away people and wrecked homes, with the eastern Valencia region hit hardest. With many people still missing and some areas remaining…

Dangote Refinery on Thursday said it has not received any payments for the purchase of refined petroleum products from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN). The company’s Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, disclosed in a statement on Thursday. The company made this known in reaction to a claim by the marketers that they were unable to load petrol from the refinery for days. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Wednesday, the IPMAN President Abubakar Garima said its members are unable to load petrol from the refinery, despite payment of N40 billion to the…

The Oyo State Government has expressed its determination to conduct an integrity test on all buildings in the area where a storey building located around Ojugbede Jegede Area, Ogbere, Ibadan, on Thursday, collapsed and claimed 10 lives while seven persons were rescued. The affected building was owned by an 80-year-old man identified as Babare Lamidi, said to have also lost five of his grandchildren to the incident. PUNCH observed during a visit to the area that the affected area had been cordoned off by the security agents. An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on…

Ogenyi Onazi, former Super Eagles defensive midfielder, has said his compatriot and Atalanta winger, Ademola Lookman, is presently Africa’s finest player. The former Lazio midfielder made the statement while speaking to Brila FM in Lagos. He further stated that the upcoming African Player of the Year award should be given to him in recognition of his form and efforts in the year under consideration. Onazi said; “Lookman is an exceptional talent; his hardwork, commitment and discipline set him apart.  “I am thrilled with his achievements and his nominations for the Ballon d’Or which is a testament to his quality. “CAF…

After seeming lingering family issues, former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas, will be laid to rest and this is coming after three years since his demise. The family and the Cross River State Government have concluded arrangement to bury on November 30, 2024. The Secretary, Central Planning Committee for Burial of late Dr Wayas and Convener, Who is Who in Northern Cross River Forum, Dr Donclamz Enamhe, who disclosed this to journalists in a media briefing in Calabar on Thursday, said the deceased will be interred at his Basang Village in Obanlikwu local government area of Cross River State. Ename…

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, on Thursday, presented a 2025 budget of N689.4 billion, titled the ‘Budget of ASSURED Prosperity’, to the state House of Assembly, outlining his administration’s goals for enhanced socio-economic and infrastructure development. In his address, Diri said, “Building on the gains and lessons from our first term, we are focused on advancing the state’s socio-economic and infrastructural landscape. We’ve introduced a new mantra, the ‘ASSURED Agenda,’ which outlines seven strategic pillars to drive economic growth, social development, infrastructure improvement, environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and good governance.” The budget, he explained, would be funded through various…

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its determination to boost electricity supply with a view to reviving the nation’s industrial revolution. The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, said this during a stakeholders meeting with the management of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) on Thursday in Kano. Adelabu said his mission in Kano was to engage with critical stakeholders, including KEDCO, to identify and tackle obstacles hindering their optimal performance. He emphasised the need to revamp the transmission architecture which currently relies heavily on Shiroro and Jos channels. “This radial system leaves the Northern region vulnerable to electricity disruptions whenever…

Veteran actor, Abdulsalam Sanyaolu, popularly known as Charles Olumo and Agbako, is dead. This was made known in a statement by the president of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin on Instagram on Thursday. He wrote, “#tampanglobal announces the passing of Pa Charles Olumo Sanyaolu, fondly known as AGBAKO. “Details of the burial arrangements will be shared at a later time. Good night father, 25/02/1923 to 31/10/2024.” Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko, also confirmed Agbako’s demise as he wrote: “Good night ooo, Baba Charles. a.k.a Agbako, 101 years, ba wasa…

Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North at the National Assembly, has maintained that the Southeast has been marginalized and that creating a 6th state will assuage their agitation. Ned, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, pointed out that the Southeast is the only region with five states, unlike other regions, except for the Northwest, which has seven states. The lawmaker expressed confidence that the Federal Government would create another state out of Delta State to give the South-South a 7th or a 6th for the Southeast. He said, “The creation of Anioma State is very possible. The…