Author: Festus Adeloye

The Supreme Court ruling on the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly has ended impunity in the oil-rich state, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said on Friday. The apex court in its ruling on Friday, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court describes as flagrant disobedience to court orders. The five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of veteran broadcaster, Anike Agbaje-Williams, describing her as a trailblazer in the Nigerian and African broadcast industry. Agbaje-Williams, renowned as the first African to appear on television, passed away on Wednesday, February 26, in Ibadan at the age of 88, according to her family. In a condolence message signed by the  Special Adviser to the President in Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, Tinubu extended his sympathies to her immediate family, professional colleagues, and the entire broadcast media industry. He acknowledged her pioneering contributions, which helped shape Nigeria’s media…

Veteran broadcaster and philanthropist, Anike Agbaje-Williams, has passed away at the age of 88. She reportedly died peacefully on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State, where she spent most of her life. Agbaje-Williams made history as the first face on African television when she appeared on the Western Nigerian Television (WNTV) station—now part of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)—during its test transmission and official launch on October 31, 1959. She was also the first voice heard on the Western Nigerian Broadcasting Service (WNBS), Africa’s first commercial radio station, earning her the nickname “Double-First.” In a statement on behalf of the family,…

Mudashiru Obasa has claimed that Mojisola Meranda agreed to resign as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly during a peace meeting. Meranda replaced Obasa as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly in January. While the former had rejected his removal, he said during a peace meeting by leaders in Lagos State, Meranda agreed to step down as the speaker. “There was a meeting that took place in Marina where we had in attendance all the party leaders and all the members [of Lagos Assembly] and openly Meranda herself made a statement that she has…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv, to maintain its current subscription prices pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the company’s proposed tariff adjustment. FCCPC disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu. The directive follows MultiChoice’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the commission over concerns surrounding its recurring price increases. Although FCCPC granted the company’s request to postpone the session, it has now rescheduled the hearing for March 6, 2025, mandating the company’s CEO, relevant…

Thirty-six members of the Lagos State House of Assembly loyal to Mojisola Meranda on Thursday reaffirmed that the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker was final, declaring Meranda as the legitimate leader of the House. The lawmakers convened at the Assembly garden, maintaining their stance based on their February 17 vote of confidence in Meranda, despite Obasa’s return. Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Stephen Ogundipe, condemned the ongoing situation and called for calm. He said: “This is Lagos, the State House of Assembly. We’re shocked to see what’s happening here today.We expect our leaders, who…

Former presidential media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati may not be returning to Arise Television anytime soon as one of the anchors of daily breakfast programme ‘The Morning Show’. In the recent episode of the programme, Abati has been replaced by Professor Anthony Kila, a globally renowned Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development, raising speculations as to whether he has left the media organisation or has been drafted to a background role. When contacted by TheScrutinyNG, a staff of Arise TV said Abati is on annual leave and will be returning soon. “He has been on annual leave since February…

Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has noted with concern that the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States from ECOWAS has disrupted existing security frameworks and plans by Chad to pull out of the Multinational Joint Task Force will affect the ability of the joint security force to conduct operations. Air Marshal Abubakar, who stated this at a review meeting with Field Commanders in Abuja, said terror group’s use of drones carrying locally fabricated grenades in a kamikaze role to attack troops in Damboa last year indicates the growing efforts of terrorists to proliferate…

Oscar-winning US actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa have been found dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In a career that spanned more than six decades, he received two Academy Awards, two Baftas, four Golden Globes and a Screen Actors Guild Award. A statement from the Santa Fe County Sheriff in New Mexico said: “We can confirm that both Gene Hackman and his wife were found deceased Wednesday afternoon at their residence on Sunset Trail. “This is an active investigation – however, at this time we do not believe that foul play was a factor.”…

Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has said the palace coup staged by the late General Sani Abacha which ended the Interim National Government headed by the late Ernest Shonekan did not come to him as a surprise. Speaking in an interview with Trust TV, IBB who launched his autobiography titled ‘A Journey In Service’ last week said even though he had left the military, he was aware of happenings within the corridors of power When asked the question ‘Did the Abacha Coup Surprise You? IBB replied ‘No, it never did. I knew it (coup) will come because even…