Author: Festus Adeloye

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has clarified that it has neither suspended nor halted Arik Air’s flight operations. The airline’s flights continue as scheduled, and its ability to operate its remaining fleet remains unaffected. This clarification was provided in a statement signed by the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, on Friday in Abuja. According to Achimugu, the NCAA is duty-bound to comply with the court order attaching Arik Air’s aircraft (5NMJF, 5NMJQ, 5NBKX) following the determination of its case at the Supreme Court, ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards. “The Nigerian Civil Aviation…

The United States will bolster its military presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships and fighter jets to protect US personnel and defend Israel amid soaring tensions in the region, the Pentagon said Friday. The announcement comes after Iran and its regional allies vowed retaliation for the killings of a Hamas leader in Tehran and a Hezbollah commander in Beirut, fueling fears of a broader Middle East conflict. “The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran’s partners and proxies,” deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a…

The family of Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, the designer of Nigeria’s flag, has announced that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has provided funds for the burial of their patriarch. In a statement released on Friday, the family expressed their gratitude to Governor Makinde for fulfilling his promise. Akinkunmi, originally from Abeokuta in Ogun State but residing in Ibadan, Oyo State, passed away on August 29, 2023. His design was chosen in 1958 as the official national flag for Nigeria during its transition to independence. The Federal Government, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, had…

As the nationwide protests to end bad governance entered its second day, Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr Peter Obi has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the nation to help alleviate the rising tension in the country. Obi, speaking at his residence in Onitsha in Anambra State, emphasised the need for the President to directly engage with the public and address their legitimate concerns. Refuting claims about his location during protest after a video surfaced showing him in Abuja on the first day of protests, the former Anambra governor stated, “I am here in Onitsha;…

Rights activist and Convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has urged protesters to persist with the nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. This call for continuation comes after Human Rights Lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, a prominent figure with the Take It Back Movement, advised an immediate suspension of the protests. Adegboruwa had expressed regret over the deaths and losses incurred during the demonstrations, emphasising that such outcomes were not the protests’ intended goals. In a statement sent to TheScrutiny, Adegboruwa urged, “I appeal to the protesters to withdraw themselves from their various protest grounds and to suspend the protests immediately and indefinitely,…

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar and the President Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Daniel Okoh have pleaded with Nigerians to call off ongoing protest over violence and killings. The two religious leaders who are Co-Chairmen of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in a statement, imagined how many lives and properties that would be destroyed if the protest continues as many lives have already been lost and properties damaged at the first day of the protest. They called on the government to expedite action towards meeting the yearning and…

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotosho has pleaded with the #EndGovernance protests to shelve their protest. Omotosho spoke at Ojota Park on the second day of the demonstrations, saying the government had heard their demands. ”For our people protesting, we have heard their rights, we have heard their say, Sanwo-Olu the governor has said he has heard them. Now it is time to go home, now it is time to end their protest,” he said.

Armed security operatives halted protesters marching to Eagle Square from MKO Abiola National Stadium at the Central Business District junction near the United Nations building at 12:55 pm today, firing teargas canisters to disperse the crowd. One protester is feared shot dead while trying to escape. The protesters, who began their march at 12:39 pm, regrouped at the MKO Abiola National Stadium by 1:50 pm, engaging security forces in a shouting match. They warned against the use of brute force to stop the protest, demanding that President Tinubu address their grievances. The protesters are calling for the return of fuel…

Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has refuted claims that he directed telecom companies to disrupt network services amid the nationwide protests that began on August 1. The denial comes in response to widespread frustration among Nigerians, who reported unusually slow internet speeds from major telecom providers. This led to speculation that the Federal Government might have ordered the disruptions to hinder the protests. In an interview with Channels Television, Tijani addressed the rumors, stating, “There’s no instruction to tamper with (phone) networks.” He attributed the slow internet speeds to a surge in online traffic, as many…

A former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has hailed #EndBadGovernance protesters for their ”noteworthy” feat while advising the government to listen to the yearnings of its citizens. Atiku made this call on Friday on his official X handle while praising the peaceful manner protesters have aired their grievances. See full statement The commencement of public protests across the country yesterday is noteworthy. These demonstrations have opened a vital channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies, furthering the essential conversation about good governance in our nation. For the most part, protesters have conducted themselves with admirable peace…