Author: Vardiafrica

The Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development on Monday said the introduction of helicopter landing levies was in line with global best practices and cost recovery measures This is contained in a statement by Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Press and Public Affairs of the ministry in Lagos According to Oluseyi, the ministry recognises the importance of helicopter operations in Nigeria’s aviation industry and is committed to implementing international best practices in helicopter operations. He said that the helicopter landing levies were commonplace in countries such as the U.S., the United Kingdom, India and various other regions worldwide. He maintained that Tallahassee…

The Kogi State Government has announced the rescue of six more kidnapped students of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement on Tuesday, said the fresh number of rescued students brought the number of freed students rescued to 20. “Our data shows that there are four students yet to be found,” he added. He some of the kidnappers escaped with severe injuries during a gun duel with security agents. “Nine students had been rescued first while five others were found the following morning. The families of the…

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has hinted that the apex bank will keep interest rates high until inflation subsides by implementing orthodox policies In an interview with the Financial Times, Cardoso said that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which he chairs, would do whatever is necessary to tame soaring inflation. This is as the inflation rate in Nigeria remains high at 33.2 per cent, the highest in three decades, while food inflation is higher still at 40 per cent. “There is every indication that the MPC would do whatever is necessary. They will continue…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his brother, Ahmad Sirika; and his company – Enginos Nigeria Limited, with over ₦19.4bn fraud. The sum is said to be for several aviation ministry contracts from the former minister, to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by Sirika’s younger brother, Abubakar. Today, the Sirika brothers and Enginos Nigeria Limited will be arraigned before Justice Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Garki, Abuja. In the copy of the fresh charges, the EFCC alleged that Sirika, “while being the Minister of Aviation, on or about 18th August…

Governor Fubara stated this on Monday after swearing in Dagogo Iboroma as the Attorney General of the state shortly after the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was screened and confirmed by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led House of Assembly. He emphatically stated that the state is in a critical situation where it has become obvious that the political crisis cannot be resolved. “Why are we bringing you in at this very critical time? You have a big task. As it is today, in the local parlance, they say the jungle has matured. We will be setting a panel of inquiry to investigate…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele on Wednesday for approving the printing of N684.5m at the rate of N18.96bn. The arraignment was originally scheduled for April 30, 2024, but was rescheduled following the agreement of the court and the parties. In the four-count charge filed against him, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The anti-graft agency also…

The federal government has extended the federal executive council (FEC) meeting to Tuesday. Mohammed Idris, minister of information and culture, announced the extension of the FEC meeting on Monday while speaking with State House correspondents. The FEC meeting was held on Monday for the first time since March. Idris said the FEC meeting will continue on Tuesday at 12pm. “The council meeting will continue tomorrow, therefore, there will be no press briefing today,” the minister said. “A lot of far-reaching decisions are being taken and the conclusions will be made available to you tomorrow. FEC will continue at 12 noon…

President Bola Tinubu has directed all government ministries, departments, and agencies to purchase compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles. Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said this in a Monday statement. “In line with his commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs, President Bola Tinubu has directed the mandatory procurement of compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles by all government ministries, departments, and agencies,” Ngelale said. According to him, the move is part of the country’s efforts to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers “This…

Melinda French Gates announced Monday she was leaving the philanthropy mega foundation she established with her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. The resignation, which becomes effective on June 7, will leave Bill Gates as the sole chair of one of the world’s most influential and powerful non-governmental organizations. “After careful thought and reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” Melinda French Gates wrote in a statement posted on social media. The statement gave no reason for her departure, but noted that “under the terms of my agreement with Bill,…

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election Peter Obi has met with ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido in separate visits. Atiku posted photos of him and Obi during their Monday meeting on his X handle. “It was my honour and privilege to host @PeterObi today,” Atiku wrote. In a statement following the meetings, the LP presidential campaign spokesman Tanko Yunusa said Obi visited them to discuss the “state of the nation “Worried about the state of the nation and the increasing uncertainty in the…