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Spain Faces Chaos After Major Blackout

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  A massive power outage across Spain caused widespread panic on Monday, with customers rushing to withdraw cash from banks and crowds filling the streets in a futile attempt to get a mobile signal. Carlos Condori, one of millions affected in Spain and Portugal, was travelling on the Madrid metro when the blackout brought his journey to an abrupt halt. “The lights went out, and the train stopped,” said the 19-year-old construction worker, adding that the train eventually crawled into the station. “People were stunned because this had never happened in Spain,” he continued. “There’s no phone coverage, I can’t call my family, my parents—nothing. I can’t even go to work.” At Cibeles Square, one of Madrid’s busiest areas, the failure of traffic lights led to a chaotic scene of sirens, whistles, and car horns as police tried to control the traffic jam. Bewildered office workers stood in the streets with their computers useless without an internet connection, while others were relieved not to have been trapped in lifts. Marina Sierra, disoriented and trying to contact her father, was looking for a way home after her school was shut. “The building we were in was giving off smoke, so they had to evacuate us quickly… I’m shocked because everything is totally out of control,” said the 16-year-old student. ‘Not the End of the World’ Transport chaos also gripped Spain’s second-largest city, Barcelona, as locals and tourists flooded the streets, desperate for information. Student Laia Montserrat, who lives an hour outside Barcelona, was in the middle of a presentation when the blackout hit her school, leaving her in a difficult situation. “As the internet wasn’t coming back, they told us to go home, but there were no trains either,” Laia said. “Now we don’t know what to do.” Leonor Abecasis, visiting Barcelona from Portugal, was in a shop when the power went out. “We’re waiting for the electricity to come back,” said the 27-year-old consultant. She admitted she was “a little” worried about her return flight to Lisbon later that day. In Madrid, Pilar Lopez tried to put the confusion and panic of her colleagues into perspective as they fretted about the food left in their freezers. “We’ve suffered a pandemic; I don’t think this is worse,” said the 53-year-old higher education administrator. “It’s like anything— you get used to it and start to think that this isn’t the end of the world.” For Lopez, the widespread chaos offered a valuable lesson: “Maybe we should go back to basics and not depend so much on electricity for certain things.” She added, “I can’t even pay because my mobile isn’t working. Sometimes you have to be a bit more analogue; this proves it.” AFP

92 Visually-Impaired Sit For 2025 UTME In Kano Centre

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  A total of 92 visually impaired candidates sat for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Kano State. The JAMB Coordinator for Kano centre, Prof. Muhammad Yahuza-Bello, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after monitoring the exercise on Monday. NAN reports that the examination was conducted at the School of Continuing Education, Bayero University Kano, under the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group for special needs candidates. Yahuza-Bello, a former vice chancellor of BUK, said the 92 candidates were drawn from Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna states. “Out of the 92 candidates, two have Down syndrome, while two others have autism”, he said. NAN reports that the candidates, comprising males and females, received various gadgets such as typewriters, braille machines, slates, styluses, paper, among others. NAN also reports that trained personnel and invigilators were deployed to provide amanuensis services for candidates who required assistance to ease the examination process. He said that over 500 candidates with special needs, such as visual impairment, albinism, Down syndrome, autism, and other conditions, registered to write the examination in 11 centres across the country. “This initiative was introduced by the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, in 2017 to give equal educational opportunities to all, regardless of disability. At CBT centres, the examination is displayed on computer screens and candidates choose options, but many of our candidates cannot read from screens or use keyboards,” he said. “Our goal is to eliminate barriers to education, and the initiative builds upon JAMB’s ongoing reforms aimed at inclusivity, including the use of adaptive examination materials to meet diverse needs.” The coordinator said the examinations taken by special needs candidates are of the same quality and standard as those taken by regular candidates at CBT centres. “Since its inception in 2017, JEOG has recorded success, with a growing number of candidates with special needs gaining admission into various tertiary institutions across the country. “Only about 25 per cent of regular candidates gained admission into tertiary institutions, while over 33 per cent of special needs candidates secured admission,” he said. He commended the Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, the Department of Special Needs BUK, the School of Continuing Education, and other institutions for offering admission to these candidates. “As usual JAMB through JEOG has provided free accommodation, feeding and a token for transportation to all candidates during the examination period,” he added. The coordinator presented Khadija, a former Kano centre candidate who scored over 240 in the UTME and is now a final-year student at BUK, studying BSc Dietetics and Nutrition. Khadija lauded the gesture and offered words of advice and encouragement to the candidates. NAN

BREAKING: Gospel Singer Osinachi’s Husband Sentenced To Death By Hanging

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  Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu, has been sentenced to death by hanging by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme delivered the judgment on Monday after dismissing Nwachukwu’s no-case submission. The court found him guilty of culpable homicide in connection with the death of his wife on April 8, 2022. Nwachukwu, who was arraigned on June 3, 2022, faced a 23-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The charges included culpable homicide, spousal battery, cruelty to children and criminal intimidation. During the trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two of the deceased’s children, and tendered 25 exhibits. The defendant testified in his defence and presented four additional witnesses and four exhibits. In her judgment, Justice Nwosu-Iheme held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Following pleas for leniency from Nwachukwu’s counsel, Reginald Nwali, the court nevertheless sentenced him to death by hanging on Count 1. He also received additional prison sentences ranging from six months to three years on several other counts and was fined a total of N700,000. The prosecution was represented by Mrs Aderonke Imana. Osinachi passed away on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42. She came into the limelight in 2017 when she collaborated with Prospa Ochimana on the gospel hit song, Ekwueme. After her death, several colleagues accused her husband of subjecting her to domestic violence, leading to her death.

Priscilla Ojo’s Husband, Juma Jux, Wins Award At 17th Headies

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  Tanzanian Singer, Juma Mkambala, popularly known as Juma Jux, has clinched the award of the Best East African Artiste of the Year at the 17th Headies Award on Sunday.   The artiste who recently tied the knot with Priscilla, daughter of Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, in a glamorious ceremony has captured the hearts of many Nigerians with his songs. Jux who also performed his hit songs ‘God’s Design’ and ‘Ololufe Mi’ serenaded the audience and viewers of event. The Headies Awards, known for celebrating excellence in the Nigerian music industry, returned to Nigeria this year after two consecutive editions in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kano Judiciary Sanctions Judges, Registrars For Misconduct

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  The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has taken disciplinary action against two court registrars and two Upper Shari’a Court judges over misconduct. This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, Mr Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, on Monday in Kano. He said that the decision was part of the resolutions reached at the JSC’s 80th meeting held on April 22, 2025. He said the commission, in line with its mandate, adopted the recommendations of the investigation carried out by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee and resolved to suspend and issue formal warnings to them. Those suspended are Ibrahim Adamu, Principal Registrar II of the Kano High Court, and Maigida Lawan, Principal Registrar of the Sharia Court of Appeal. Upper Sharia Court Judges Alkali Mansur Ibrahim and Nasiru Ahmad were issued warnings. Jibo-Ibrahim said Adamu, a Principal Registrar II of the Kano High Court of Justice, was suspended without pay for six months. The statement added, “His promotion is deferred after a finding that confirmed he verbally assaulted and attempted to use physical force against his superior officer, amounting to gross misconduct in violation of the provisions of the Kano State Civil Service Rules 2004 and the JSC Regulations. “This is the second time Adamu has appeared before an investigative committee for violence-related actions at work, and he has been issued a series of queries.” The commission found Adamu’s actions to be grossly unbecoming of his office and imposed the appropriate disciplinary sanctions. The statement said Lawan, a Principal Registrar of the Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal, was suspended without pay for six months, immediately, after being found guilty of demanding and accepting improper gratification under false pretences. “The commission adopted the recommendation of the JPCC, and Lawan was demoted by one grade level (from GL-13 down to GL-12),” the statement read. He said that the commission issued a warning to Malam Mansur Ibrahim, an Upper Shari’a Court judge, after evidence confirmed he used insulting and abusive language towards a litigant. The JSC also issued a formal warning to Nasiru Ahmad, an Upper Shari’a Court judge, for ordering the detention of a judgment debtor in a manner that suggested personal interest and compromised judicial impartiality. He emphasised that discretionary powers must be exercised with the utmost fairness and objectivity to preserve public confidence in the judiciary. The JSC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and corruption. “These measures underscore the State Commission’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and the rule of law. “All judicial officers and staff are reminded to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the honour and trust vested in them by the people of Kano State,” the statement added. Jibo-Ibrahim warned all court staff not to engage in any corrupt practices, as anyone found engaging in corruption will be directed to proceed on compulsory retirement, as the JSC will not condone any act of corruption NAN

Suspected Herders Kill Seven In Fresh Benue Attack

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  At least seven people have been killed in a fresh attack on Agbo Vengav Udam community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed herders. Residents told PUNCH Online that the assailants stormed the village around 7 pm on Thursday and opened fire indiscriminately, killing seven on the spot and abducting three others. A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers entered the community through a border village in Otukpo LGA. “They passed through the border village of Otukpo and, entering into Agbo, they shot their guns sporadically, killing the seven people on the spot. They took away three people with them,” a resident of the affected community who did not want to state his name said. It was gathered that an infant was among those killed and that the mother was abducted by the assailants. The witness added that five of the bodies have been deposited in a morgue in Naka, while the families of the remaining two deceased opted to bury their dead without delay. The incident, according to residents, has caused them to desert their homes for fear of further attacks. Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the phone on Friday. Omin, who lamented that the killing was coming after commercial vehicles were hijacked and passengers taken away, decried the activities of suspected armed herders in the local government. The council boss said, “It’s true that scores of people were killed at Vengav Udam village within the local government Thursday night. “Two people who are critically injured during the attack are receiving treatment in Naka hospital, and the situation is becoming unbearable, the way these armed herders are wreaking havoc in the local government and the state as a whole.” However, calls and messages put through to the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue command, Catherine Anene, were not answered. Recall that some gunmen intercepted two commercial vehicles about three kilometres from Naka, headquarters of Gwer West LGA, on Thursday and abducted 14 passengers.

Over 26,000 Lagos Students Failed 2024 WASSCE – Commissioner

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  The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector. The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, stated this during a ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday. He said, “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”. This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing of N1.577bn paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees. “Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced. In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE. “The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added. The government, however, rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools. Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success. “This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated. He said with a vision to broadcast 320 lessons across 10 key subjects, including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Government, History, Literature-in-English, and Yoruba, the programme aims to bring world-class tutoring directly into students’ homes. The commissioner said each 30-minute episode would air on Lagos Television and be archived across major platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), creating a digital learning library accessible to every student. “It is a supportive eco-system that fosters academic achievement, creativity, critical thinking… every student deserves the opportunity to attain their full potential, regardless of their background or socio-economic status,” the commissioner stated. Alli-Balogun urged students, especially those in boarding schools, to seize the opportunity. “It is on this note that I urge and encourage students, more importantly, students in our boarding schools, to take full advantage of this initiative, as education is a lifelong journey,” he said.

Court Approves Arrest, Detention Of Six CBEX Promoters

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  The Federal High Court in Abuja has approved the request of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest and detain six promoters of Crypto Bridge Exchange over an alleged investment fraud amounting to over $1 billion. Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order on Thursday after listening to submissions from the EFCC’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf. The six individuals named in the ex parte motion filed on April 23 are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo, and Chukwuebuka Ehirim. The EFCC sought the court’s permission to arrest and keep the suspects in custody while investigations continue and possible charges are prepared. In the motion, the EFCC asked for two things: permission to issue arrest warrants and an order to remand the suspects in EFCC custody during the investigation. Yusuf told the court, “The defendants are at large, and a warrant of arrest is required to bring them in for proper investigation and prosecution.” She explained that the EFCC had received intelligence linking the suspects to criminal acts and that the commission had a constitutional duty to investigate and enforce the law. According to an affidavit submitted with the motion, the EFCC said it received information in April 2025 about a fraudulent investment scheme involving the suspects. The commission said the fraud was carried out through ST Technologies International Limited, in partnership with CBEX. The suspects were accused of promoting CBEX, convincing people to invest in cryptocurrency through their platform while promising extremely high returns, up to 100%. “The victims were required to convert their digital assets into USDT, a stablecoin, and deposit them into the suspects’ cryptocurrency wallets,” the affidavit stated. At first, investors could monitor their investments through the CBEX platform. But after over $1 billion was deposited, the platform was suddenly shut down, and victims could no longer access their funds. Further investigations revealed that although ST Technologies was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, it was not licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission to run any investment business. The EFCC also told the court that the suspects had abandoned their known addresses in Lagos and Ogun states. The agency said, “A warrant of arrest is necessary to place the suspects on a red watch list and ensure they are apprehended to face justice.” The commission added that its investigation had shown a clear case of fraud and urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice. After reviewing the case, Justice Nwite ruled, “I have listened to the submission of learned counsel for the applicant. “I have also examined the affidavit evidence and the exhibits attached, along with the written address. “I am of the view, and I so hold, that the application is meritorious. Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”

Bolt Seeks Dialogue With Drivers Ahead Of May 1 Strike

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  Bolt, Nigeria’s largest e-hailing startup by market share, says it is seeking dialogue with driver representatives following a planned 24-hour strike by app-based drivers in Lagos, scheduled for May 1, over poor earnings and working conditions. In an emailed response to PUNCH Online on Thursday, the Estonian ride-hailing operator acknowledged some of the concerns raised by the drivers and confirmed its openness to discussions aimed at addressing the drivers’ grievances. The strike, announced on Tuesday by the Lagos State chapter of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, targets major operators including Bolt, Uber, In Drive, and others. The union accused the companies of ignoring repeated calls for fair compensation, safer working conditions, and recognition of workers’ rights. “We are actively working to engage with driver representatives to better understand their needs and explore viable solutions through open and constructive dialogue, ” the General Manager of Bolt Nigeria, Osi Oguah, said. “We recognise the concerns raised around fares, commissions, and overall working conditions. These are important matters, and we remain committed to finding sustainable ways to address them. Our goal has always been to create a platform that is fair, transparent, and beneficial for all stakeholders.” AUATON said its attempts to engage the companies in meaningful dialogue have been met with indifference, accusing operators of prioritising profit over drivers’ welfare. While Bolt confirmed that it is in talks with driver representatives to “better understand their needs and explore viable solutions through open and constructive dialogue,” Uber had not responded to PUNCH Online’s inquiry as of press time. The planned strike, timed to coincide with International Workers’ Day, could disrupt ride-hailing services across Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub and a major market for mobility platforms in Africa. Bolt made its entry into the Nigerian market in 2016, introducing a transformative, technology-powered transportation service to the country’s ride-hailing industry. Founded in 2013 as Taxify by Markus Villig in Estonia, the company quickly expanded across Africa, launching in key markets such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya by 2016. By 2025, Bolt had facilitated over 250 million rides in Nigeria, highlighting its commitment to safety and affordability with features like audio trip recording designed to safeguard both drivers and passengers. Punch

NiMet Workers Begin Indefinite Strike, Shuts Down Meteorological Services

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  Workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency commenced an indefinite strike on Wednesday, withdrawing all meteorological services nationwide. Our correspondent observed that the strike officially began at 7:00 a.m., with NiMet staff and union members walking around the airport premises holding placards. It was gathered that some staff even slept at the agency’s premises overnight to ensure a total shutdown of operations. One of the workers lamented: “The situation is bad for us here in NiMet. In terms of our welfare, the salary package and everything are very low compared to our sister agency. You can see a management staff member in NiMet collecting ₦470,000, while someone in the sister agency earns about ₦1.2 million. “Any increment the Federal Government is making, we are not getting it. We provide more sensitive services than even our sister agency, but our welfare package is so poor that it cannot cover transportation, rent, or even our children’s school fees. “The working conditions are too poor. We need to be taken care of like our sister agency. We are not asking for too much — just a good condition of service that would at least make life comfortable for us to concentrate on our job. “We provide services like agro-meteorology, marine, and transportation for all industries. We offer services to them, yet our welfare is too poor. So we are calling on the government to look into our case.” Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, Paul Ogohi, condemned the conduct of some domestic airlines, while also highlighting the toll the current system is taking on NiMet staff. “Other international airlines have parked and are keeping strictly to the regulations of ICAO. British Airways has complied, and Qatar Airways has also suspended operations. But the problem we are facing is with Nigerian airlines and their pilots. These rules are meant to govern aviation operations, but we, the locals, are the ones violating these standards. It’s not right. “We should discourage it and condemn it entirely. It’s unacceptable. This kind of thing only happens in Nigeria. You can see that unprecedented deaths are occurring in NiMet, as if we are chickens. Nearly 70 per cent of our staff forecasters have high blood pressure. “Ninety per cent no longer have good vision, because we are constantly working to observe the aerodrome. We have eye defects. It is unbearable. Some of us are taking loans to pay school fees, rent, and even to come to work. “We are appealing to the Minister to please come to our aid. We are seeing changes, but those changes should extend to NiMet because we are suffering.” In reaction, the Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, said that safety remains paramount and that a meeting with the unions is forthcoming. “The NCAA is going into a meeting with the unions soon. However, NAMA is currently providing auxiliary services. You should know that in aviation, safety comes first. So, if there is any threat to operations at this moment, nobody will be allowed to fly. Rest assured,” he said. Punch

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