Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is currently making bold economic policies to propel Nigeria’s economy out of the downturns occasioned by multiple shocks in the global economy. He has therefore, called for global cooperation among African countries to tackle their shared economic challenges and take advantage of opportunities. The President who spoke on Friday when he declared open the 2024 African Caucus Meeting held in Abuja, noted that although Africa is grappling with numerous challenges, the continent must take necessary measures to translate opportunities in natural resources and human capital into growth, innovation and collaboration. President Tinubu, who was…

Telecommunications operator, 9mobile, on Thursday, issued an apology to its customers in what came as its first response to the service outage that has left millions of its customers in frustration since Saturday, July 27, 2024. The company in a statement said connectivity has now been restored “to most areas” suggesting that some of its customers are still experiencing the service outage. The company blamed the disruption on multiple fibre cuts and damages to its infrastructure in some parts of the country. It added that its technical teams are working around the clock to address outstanding issues and restore services…

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, says there were no instructions for telecommunication operators to disrupt network services because of the protest. Tijani spoke on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television. Nigerians reported experiencing bad internet connectivity across all service providers on Thursday, with many describing the development as part of the federal government’s tactic to stifle protesters. But the minister, speaking on the issue, denied the federal government’s involvement in the network disruption. “There’s no instruction to tamper with the network, absolutely no instruction from my office,” he said. “You also need to understand when…

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a loan of $500 million to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to finance the first phase of the Economic Governance and Energy Transition Support Program (EGET-SP), a new program aimed at accelerating transformation of the country’s electricity infrastructure and improving access to cleaner sources of energy. The loan will help close the financing gap of the Federal Budget in the 2024/25 fiscal year, specifically supporting the implementation of the country’s new Electricity Act and the Nigeria Energy Transition Plan(link is external). The Nigerian government launched the energy transition plan…

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, says a policeman was murdered while on duty during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests on Thursday. At a briefing in Abuja, the police boss said some of his men were also injured by hoodlums who disguised as protesters. Egbetokun said some police stations in the country were razed by rampaging rioters. He lamented that events in major cities on Thursday were “mass uprising and looting, not protests”. “Police stations have been destroyed. There have been attempts to take over government houses,” Egbetokun said, adding that looting of public and private warehouses and facilities…

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says security agencies have identified a senator who sponsored protests in the nation’s capital.On Thursday, a youth-led nationwide protest against the rising cost of living kicked off. Speaking after a security council meeting in Abuja, Wike said the unnamed senator provided food for the protesters.“We also have information that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters,” the minister said.Advertisement“That is sponsorship. A senator providing food for protesters.“ At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator…

Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state after the protest against economic hardship turned violent. The governor announced the curfew in a broadcast at the government house on Thursday. He directed all security agencies in the state to “ensure full and immediate compliance” with the curfew. The governor said it is “regrettable that the whole protest that was meant to be a demonstration of the democratic right to voice our concerns was hijacked by thugs and hoodlums who embarked on looting of business premises, government properties and maiming of innocent citizens”. “Such miscreants have…

Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has again called on those protesting against the President Bola Tinubu administration to come for dialogue, saying government is ready to listen to them and also walk them through some governance issues that they may not have been privy to. He spoke on Thursday while presenting staff of office to four newly appointed chiefs in the territory. Commending protesters in the FCT for been nonviolent, Wike urged them to continue to resist those who will want to destroy the nation. He said Abuja as the nation’s capital remained a precious asset to…

Hoodlums have looted the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park in Kano State as the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest started today. The vandals targeted the Kano Information and Communication Technology Centre, just days before its scheduled launch, setting it on fire and making off with valuable equipment. Photos circulating online show youths leaving the scene with looted items, including computers, furniture, and electronics. Related News Nationwide protests have erupted across Nigeria, as citizens vent their frustration over the country’s prevailing economic hardship. While many demonstrations have remained peaceful, pockets of violence have been reported in various regions

Premier League champions, Manchester City have been fined more than £2million by the Premier League for delaying kick-off to matches. The champions reached a sanction agreement with the league over 22 separate charges, all related to the past two seasons. City were adjudged to have delayed the kick-off to the second half of their final game of last term against West Ham, by two minutes and 46 seconds on the day they clinched a fourth consecutive title. The fines range from £10,000 to £200,000, the lowest for the first offence and the highest as a result of the West Ham fixture. 18 of the…