Author: Vardiafrica

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday made good her vow to resume at the National Assembly but was denied entry. Upon her arrival around noon, the Kogi Central lawmaker, who rode in a black car, was stopped by security operatives at the first gate of the National Assembly. After some minutes, Senator Natasha alighted from her vehicle and walked into the National Assembly premises in Abuja, accompanied by her supporters, including activist Aisha Yesufu. She was stopped again at the 2nd gate and asked to turn back. However, the senator and her supporters made their way past the checkpoint only to…

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is currently meeting with the protesting retired police officers in Abuja. The meeting is taking place at the peacekeeping hall, Force Headquarters in Abuja. On Monday, some retired police officers protested at the National Assembly to demand their removal from the contributory pension scheme (CPS). The demonstrators, mostly elderly, stood in the rain, holding placards and chanting anti-government songs. Some of the retired police officers also besieged the force headquarters in Abuja to protest against CPS. Addressing the protesters, the IGP said welfare of retired police officers is being addressed but the exit of…

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to commission the newly established College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK), later this month, following the granting of a provisional license for the institution to operate as a private postgraduate university. Uba Sani Commending the President for his commitment to human capital development. Governor Sani emphasized the strategic importance of the new institution in transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape. He said we cannot make progress in a fast-changing and complex society if we fail to develop local capacity. Sani explained that this College, if supported, has the potential to develop indigenous manpower…

The Federal Government has restated plans to implement the National Single Window, an initiative of the Bola Tinubu administration to plug revenue leakages, enhance trade facilitation and improve efficiency in international trade transactions. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this when he appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Customs and Tariffs on Monday. The minister noted that price equalisation remained the only viable approach to policing market dynamics and ensuring fair competition. Speaking on trade settlements, the minister acknowledged ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s trade payment system, particularly informal transactions. “Many of…

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is considering reducing import duties by scrapping the seven percent surcharge currently imposed on all imports. Speaking during a town hall meeting with stakeholders on the Bodogwu clearance system, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the proposal to eliminate the surcharge is already undergoing legislative review. According to Adeniyi, once the surcharge is removed, duties on all Nigerian-bound cargo will be reduced, ultimately lowering the overall cost of doing business at the ports. “At the beginning of this meeting, I mentioned that the Bodogwu system is aimed at reducing operational…

Labour Party Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Election, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has met Julius Abure, factional National Chairman of the Labour Party. Datti, who promised to reconcile the factions and disgruntled stakeholders with Peter Obi said this during the National Executive Council meeting of the faction. Datti also took a swipe at the ADC Coalition, saying the Government that follows is more important than removing the APC Government. Datti Speaks “Labour Party is not a party to walk away from. “The successes, the history that Labour Party of Nigeria has recorded is unique and unprecedented.” “We presented clear…

The United States government has warned Nigerians that individuals who engage in visa fraud, including the use of fake documents, will be permanently barred from entering the country. The disclosure was made on Monday, July 21, by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria on its official X handle. To combat immigration fraud and clamp down on illegal immigration, the mission noted that those found guilty of committing visa fraud or aiding and harbouring illegal migrants would face criminal prosecution. The statement reads, “U.S. government interagency efforts combat fraud and will end illegal immigration. Those who commit visa fraud will be banned…

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has turned down a request by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of his international passport, saying that the medical report attached to the application was not signed by its maker. Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite, however, held that contrary to the submission of the prosecution team, the application was not an abuse of the court process. The defendant had applied for the release of his travel document to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention. The judge said counsel to…

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has sustained minor injuries after being involved in a road accident along the Daura-Katsina Road, while carrying out his official duties. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ibrahim Mohammed, confirmed this in a statement on Monday. He, however, said the governor was in good health and stable condition, with no serious injuries sustained. According to Mohammed, Governor Radda is in high spirits and expressed his gratitude to Almighty Allah for His protection, as well as Katsina citizens and well-wishers for their prayers and concern. “I’m pleased to confirm that I remain in good health and high…

The family of the late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the widespread support shown following his death. Buhari passed away last week at the age of 82 in a clinic in London, United Kingdom. Speaking on behalf of the family, Mamman Daura, nephew of the late Nigerian leader, conveyed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Remi, for their roles before and after Buhari’s passing. Daura, who spoke in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, spokesperson to the former president, said the outpouring of condolences and prayers brought solace during a time of deep sorrow. “It is…