Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal Government has unveiled the standards and guidelines for establishing and coordinating organ/tissue transplantation services in the country, with a view to providing hope and promoting transparency, accountability and, adherence to international best practices. Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako Honourable Minister of State for Health stated during the Official Launching of the standards and guidelines document, held today at the Corporate Headquarters office of the Ministry in Abuja. Validated on November 13, 2024; the Minister asserted that the document is a significant milestone to enhance organ donation and practices in Nigeria; emphasizing it is a life-giving opportunity that offers a…

Hasan Abubakar, the chief of air staff (COAS), has visited the victims and families affected by the recent air strike in Zamfara state. On January 10, some civilians, including members of the Zamfara Community Protection Guard (ZCPG) and vigilantes, were mistakenly killed in an air strike operation by the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) in Tungar Kara, Maradun LGA of the state. In a statement issued on Thursday by Kabiru Ali, deputy director of public relations and information for NAF, the COAS described the incident as “a painful departure from NAF’s commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens”. The air chief, who admitted responsibility for the…

Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NSC) has designated Simon Ekpa, 16 other persons and two entities, for their alleged involvement in supporting terrorist activities and terrorism financing The committee further directed financial institutions to freeze their assets and report any transactions related to the individuals and entities to the Sanctions Committee and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Those named on the list include Simon Ekpa, Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, and Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali. Others are Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, Ogomu Kewe, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises,…

A bill seeking to establish an independent authority for the registration and regulation of political parties scaled second reading at the house of representatives. The bill is sponsored by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, and Marcus Onobun, a lawmaker from Edo state. The proposed legislation aims to remove political party registration and regulation from the jurisdiction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and transfer them to a new agency. He suggested that INEC, which is responsible for organising polls across the country, was overstretched and should focus solely on conducting elections. “All stakeholders in the electoral process are ad idem with…

The Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, for six months, effective March 6, 2025, over alleged misconduct and violation of Senate rules 2023 (as amended). The decision for her suspension was taken following a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen. While presenting the committee’s recommendation before the house this morning, Senator Imasuen said Akpoti-Uduaghan failed to adhere to Senate rules and also disregarded the committee by refusing to honour its invitation. Reading the committee’s recommendations, Senator Imasuen stated, “One, that the Senate do suspend…

FIFA will pay total prize money of one billion dollars to participants in the Club World Cup taking place in the United States this year, a source close to negotiations told AFP on Wednesday. The figure is significantly more than the prize money offered for either the last men’s or women’s World Cups. World football’s governing body has given few details about the funding of the first edition of the 32-team tournament that will take place every four years but it has signed up a broadcaster and major sponsors in recent weeks. British streaming service DAZN was awarded the exclusive global…

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions has dismissed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment and abuse of office petition against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring it “dead on arrival”. The committee on Wednesday cited procedural violations and legal constraints During the probe session, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Neda Imasuen, cited Order 40 of the Senate Standing Orders, explaining that Akpoti-Uduaghan signed the petition herself rather than having it endorsed by another individual, thereby rendering it procedurally invalid. Additionally, he noted that the matters raised in the petition were already before the court, making them sub…

Godswill Akpabio, has denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by a fellow senator. Senate President Akpabio told Wednesday’s session that he had been raised very well by his late mother and had never harassed any woman. In an interview with Arise Television on Friday, senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio had made inappropriate advances towards her during a visit to his residence in southern Akwa Ibom state, on 8 December 2023. She said that Akpabio had taken her by the hand, led her around his house, and made sexual advances towards her while her husband walked behind them,…

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced August 9, 2025, for the conduct of a fresh LGA elections in the state. On February 28, the supreme court nullified the LGA elections held in the state on October 5, 2024. A five-member panel of the apex court ruled in favour of an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC). In its lead judgment delivered by Jamilu Tukur, the apex court held that there was no evidence to show that the conditions set out in section 150(3) of the Electoral Act had been met before the electoral umpire conducted the polls.…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has filed a charge against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, for allegedly violating regulatory directives and obstructing an ongoing inquiry. The three counts filed before the Federal High Court Lagos, bordered on willful implementation of a price hike contrary to the Commission’s directives, an offence which violates Section 33(4) of the FCCPC Act. The other counts are on the company’s disregard for instructions to suspend the hike in violation of Section 110, and attempt to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the increase without objection contrary to…