Author: Vardiafrica

A Federal High Court in Kano has issued a ruling preventing the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) from inviting or investigating Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), regarding bribery allegations leveled against him. Presiding over the case, the judge highlighted that the alleged infractions fall under federal jurisdiction, deeming it outside the scope of the state anti-graft agency. The court emphasised that matters of this nature should be handled by federal agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Reacting to the judgment, Usman Fari, counsel for the PCACC, announced…

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has launched the Outsource To Nigeria Initiative in Gombe State He also inaugurated the Business Process Outsourcing Centre, where about 2,000 job opportunities would be created for vibrant and talented youths in the State. Speaking during the official launch of the initiative on Monday March 4, 2024, VP Shettima said the initiative was aimed at positioning Nigeria as the top destination for large companies seeking operational optimization. He explained that the initiative would connect global companies with the abundant talents and capabilities inherent in the country According to him, the outsourcing initiative symbolizes a pivotal…

The Federal Government will begin the distribution of grains nationwide to cushion the impacts of the hardship in Nigeria.  Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari disclosed this on Monday. “Dear Fellow Nigerians,” he wrote on his official X handle. “In these trying times, I extend my sincere compassion to those affected by the hardships in the country. I understand the gravity of the situation, especially with the unfortunate event of foodstuff warehouse looting. “Amidst these challenges, I want to assure you that our commitment to your well-being remains resolute. We shall commence the distribution of 42,000 metric…

The US Supreme Court on Monday removed a potential hurdle to Donald Trump’s bid to recapture the White House, unanimously dismissing a state court ruling that could have barred him from the ballot for engaging in insurrection. The high-stakes ruling in favor of the former president came on the eve of the Super Tuesday primaries that are expected to cement Trump’s march toward the Republican nomination to take on President Joe Biden in November. It was the most consequential election case heard by the court since it halted the Florida vote recount in 2000 with Republican George W. Bush narrowly…

The Chairman of the Bayelsa Governorship Election Tribunal Sitting in Abuja, has adjourned the petition brought before it by the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, indefinitely, to await the decision of the Court of Appeal President, on the allegations of bias and denial of fair hearing as raised by Sylva and the APC Sylva and the APC had passed a vote of no confidence on the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, calling for an outright disbandment and reconstitution. In a petition to the President of the Court of Appeal, APC and Sylva accused the…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it is the duty of the Nigeria Police Force to track bandits and kidnappers using the National Identification Numbers (NINs) of victims linked with their SIM card NCC spokesman, Reuben Muoka, who was on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday, said the objective of the NIN-SIM linkage is to make Nigerians have digital identity to tackle security challenges In January, seven members of a family including six sisters were kidnapped in the Bwari area of Abuja and the kidnappers had demanded about N100m as ransom. One of the victims, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, was…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged its support to Nigeria’s agricultural sector with a whopping $134 million investment aimed at enhancing food production. The President of AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, unveiled this commitment during his visit to the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano, on Saturday. Adesina outlined the bank’s plans, stating, “We will support Nigeria in cultivating 300,000 hectares of rice and maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava, and 50,000 hectares of soybeans during the 2024 planting season.” He emphasised the importance of adapting to climate change and promoting the cultivation of dry land crops that are…

French lawmakers are expected Monday to anchor the right to abortion in the country’s constitution, in a global first that has garnered overwhelming public support A congress of both houses of parliament in Versailles starting at 3:30 pm (1430 GMT) should find the three-fifths majority needed for the change after it overcame initial resistance in the right-leaning Senate. If congress approves the move, France will become the only country in the world to clearly protect the right to terminate a pregnancy in its basic law. President Emmanuel Macron pledged last year to include enshrine abortion — legal in France since…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has concluded a sale of government securities, issuing N1.053 Trillion (US$680 million) in short-term instruments as part of its liquidity management exercise. In a statement on Monday, the apex bank said investors were over-subscribed for the exercise which was completed on March 1, 2024. The CBN offered N500 Billion at the Open Market Operations (OMO) auction and oversubscribed, selling N1.053 Trillion, with 79% of the total bids, or the equivalent of US$530 million, coming from foreign investors. Friday’s auction was the first since the CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting, which was followed…

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to combating corruption and fostering a favorable business climate, encouraging Qatari investors to “report to him” if any Nigerian government official solicits a bribe from them. Tinubu said this in a statement during the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha, on Sunday. He assured that his administration would take firm action against any entrenched interests within the nation that harm the confidence of investors in the Nigerian economy.