Author: Vardiafrica

Russia has added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to its list of wanted criminals, a government database showed on Saturday. Zelensky appeared in the Russian Interior Ministry’s “wanted” list, an online database of alleged criminals sought by the authorities. It stated that the Ukrainian leader was wanted “under an article of the criminal code,” without providing further details. There was no immediate comment from Russian officials on why Zelensky had been added to the list. Moscow has targeted Zelensky since the start of its military offensive in February 2022. The Ukrainian President said last year he was aware that at least…

Dozens of protesters from Zamfara State have occupied the entrance to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), calling on the commission to reopen investigations on the former governor of the state, Bello Matawalle The protesters under the auspices of APC Loyalists Forum is asking the EFCC to investigate all petitions against the former governor, including the alleged contract diversion up to the tune of N70 billion during his tenure as governor of the state. The EFCC Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who received the protest letter on behalf of the chairman, assured the protesters that…

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has called for the full implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024, including the operationalisation of the National Cybersecurity Fund by all regulators and businesses specified in the second schedule of the Act. In a statement signed by the Head, Strategic Communication Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, said the directive was part of efforts to secure Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), counter-terrorism and violent extremism, strengthen national security, and protect its economic interests. On July 6, 2022, Nigeria joined 66 other countries that had signed and ratified…

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has identified the huge purchases of food items by the government as palliatives for distribution to vulnerable citizens as a contributor to the galloping food inflation in the country. He disclosed this in his contributions during the March Monetary Policy Committee meeting, which was published on the CBN website on Monday. At the meeting, the MPC raised the benchmark interest rate to 24.75 percent from 22.75 percent, which it said was aimed at tackling inflation. But according to to the Consumer Price Index report released by the Nigerian Bureau of…

The Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has described compliance with rules and regulations as the key to growth and development, stressing  that lack of it was at the root of corruption in the country. He made this disclosure in Abuja on Thursday, May 2, 2024 when a delegation from the Compliance Institute, Nigeria, CIN, led by its President, Pattison Boleigha paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the Commission. According to him, “the success of any process or procedure in any society is based on the issue of compliance. The…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insists the proposed N615,000 minimum wage is realistic, dismissing claims that some states cannot pay such an amount if approved. Recent reforms in Nigeria including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market have pushed the cost of living to newer levels. Inflation figures hit 33.2 per cent in March, further compounding a troubled economy. Labour unions and the Federal Government have since been locked in negotiations over measures including a new minimum wage to cushion the impacts of the harsh economy. The NLC is proposing a N615,000 monthly salary…

The 36 state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) have disclosed that they were reviewing their individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, geared towards arriving at an improved minimum wage that they can pay sustainably.The governors said that they celebrate with workers across the country for their dedication to service and patience, as all have worked with the Federal Government, labour, the organised private sector, and relevant stakeholders in arriving at an implementable national minimum wage. According to the governors, while they acknowledge various initiatives adopted recently by way…

Again, Vice President Kashim Shettima has implored Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he steers the ship of state through the economic turbulence and storm he met on ground on assumption of office. “Soon, Nigeria’s economy will experience significant growth once we’ve overcome these sacrifices. Positive changes will soon be evident across all economic indicators – inflation, per capita income, GDP numbers, poverty reduction, food security, and all aspects close to the hearts of our people,” he declared. Senator Shettima made the appeal on Thursday during the 2nd Chronicle Roundtable organized by 21st…

Vice President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to eradicate corruption without fear or favouritism. He stated this on Thursday at the Second Edition of The Chronicle Roundtable in Abuja where he said the government has been working to reduce the unemployment rate in the country. The event was focused on examining how Tinubu’s administration’s economic and social agenda will transform Nigeria. “Our promise to wage war against corruption without interference or favouritism is being fulfilled. The ongoing high-profile cases indicate a new era of accountability,” he told the gathering which included the Minister of Information, Mohammed…

The Kaduna State Police Command has apprehended the key figures behind the abduction and tragic demise of students from Greenfield University, as well as the numerous kidnappings plaguing the Abuja-Kaduna highway. Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, who Briefed journalists at the Kaduna Police Command Headquarters, said those arrested included Ibrahim Abdullahi, alias Mande, a notorious terrorist leader implicated in orchestrating and participating in the Greenfield University student kidnappings, alongside many other incidents along the Abuja-Kaduna route. Mr Adejobi disclosed that Mande was nabbed at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover near Rido Junction in Chikun Local Government Area, following credible intelligence. He said…