Author: Vardiafrica

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered illicit drugs hidden in tins of Cerelac baby food. Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the food containers and clothes bound for the United States and United Kingdom were intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and a courier firm in Lagos. He said no less than 36 parcels of a strong strain of cannabis concealed in six cartons of tins of branded Nestle Cerelac baby food, with six containers in each package, were recovered at the SAHCOL export shed of Lagos…

The Kano State Government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state from 8am to 2pm, effective Sunday. The announcement was made by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Baba Haliru Danteye, in a special broadcast to the people of the state. He said, Governor Abba Yusuf expressed sympathy for the families who lost loved ones and property during the violent protests, which were hijacked by hoodlums. However, he urged residents to return home by 2pm, as the curfew will be reviewed as the security situation improves. The Governor also called on residents to continue praying for peace, progress,…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State government on Friday reeled out “hardship relief measures” in the state including return of Sunday markets with 25% discount on food items; and free medical outreach treatment. Others were; free delivery for expectant women in hospitals and 25% slash in transport fares. Governor Sanwo-Olu, who made this known through the Commissioner for Information in the state, Gbenga Omotoso, during an interview on TVC News, where he said he had heard the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters “loud and clear.” Asked if the decision of the state government was temporarily meant to quench the heat of the ongoing nationwide hunger…

In a significant step to bolster humanitarian efforts, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has intensified its support to communities in its member states through impactful, people-focused projects. A delegation from the ECOWAS Commission, led by Mr. Godfrey Ameachi Alozie, Program Officer for Humanitarian Affairs, participated in the flag-off ceremony for the ECOWAS Humanitarian Support to Nigeria for communities affected by the devastating floods of 2022, in Adamawa State of Nigeria, 30th July, 2024. Through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Nigeria received a substantial flood assistance fund of $906,205 from ECOWAS, aimed at community resilience…

Police authorities have fired tear gas at protesters at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja in a bid to disperse the demonstrators who had converged to press on with their demands.  The protesters, lesser than the number witnessed the previous days, had converged at the facility. But after some hours, police officers fired tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters. The MKO Abiola Stadium is the designated venue for the protests in the nation’s capital. A court order had restrained the #EndBadGovernance demonstrators from using other areas. On Friday, tear gas canisters were also fired at the protesters when they…

Protesters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, briefly obstructed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that he come down to address them. This happened on Saturday, Day 3 of the demonstrations tagged #EndBadGovernance protests. Waving green leaves and shouting in excitement, the protesters, lined up the streets. After some moments, the governor’s convoy passed as the demonstrators continued with the rallies. The protesters in Port Harcourt had regrouped for the third day running for the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations which began on August 1, 2024. They converged at the Pleasure Park in the city, carried placards, and insisted they would not leave until their demands…

The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial district in the National Assembly, Ireti Kingibe, has denied leading or sponsoring the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja. Senator Kingibe took to X (formerly Twitter) to describe a viral video alleging that she was leading the protest in Abuja on Thursday as “misinformation”. “I am shocked and outraged by the blatant lies and misinformation being spread by mischief-makers! The video being circulated is from over six weeks ago, during a Labour Party NWC meeting when the NLC was protesting outside the Labour Party office,” she said on X. “As stakeholders, including…

A bomb alert has reportedly halted the Paris Olympics after police discovered a suspicious object in an area near an Olympics venue. A specialist bomb squad is expected to arrive at the Stade de France stadium while police have cordoned off part of the surrounding area, Daily Mail reports. The nearby Porte de Paris train station has also been closed following the alert. According to the report, the stadium is thought to have been empty when the warning was issued this afternoon. The first Olympic session of the day had already concluded at 1pm. The second event is not due…

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), says the military will intervene if the ongoing nationwide #EndbadGovernance protests continue to be violent. While speaking at a press conference in Abuja today August 2, the Army chief appealed to protesters to recognise that destruction is counterproductive and would only set the nation aback. “We should realise that these destructions and monies have to be used—monies for development will have to be used to develop these things so we can move forward, and so instead of doing that, we should come together to make sure nothing is destroyed. The statement has already been…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has accused Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited (Coca-Cola) and Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) of Misleading trade descriptions and unfair marketing tactics. The Commission in a statement by the management said the brand had violated the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, FCCPA by commencing a migration of their Coke brand from a formulation that included regular sugar to non-nutritive sweeteners. The statement reads; “Pursuant to Sections 17, 116, 123, 124, 127, and 155 of the Federal Competitionand Consumer Protection Act, 2018,Thursday, August 1, 2024: In June 2019, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission…