Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal Ministry of Education has reinstated Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the acting vice-chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK). The announcement was made in a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo. The decision follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nullification of the appointment of Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the university’s seventh substantive vice-chancellor. Odoh’s appointment was deemed illegal by the dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university. The letter from Sani-Gwarzo read: “Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR vide letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November, 2024 nullifying the…

The Court of Appeal’s Abuja Division has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that ruled against the Rivers State Local Government election.The appellate court determined the lower court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case presented by the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court also held that the Electoral Act is not applicable to local government elections. In its ruling, the Court of Appeal stated that the Federal High Court did not have the jurisdiction to entertain the appeal filed by the APC against the conduct of the local government election in Rivers State. The court further clarified that the Electoral…

The National Economic Council (NEC) has given the governments of Kwara, Kebbi, and Adamawa one week to submit their reports on the proposed creation of state police. The deadline was announced by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who briefed State House correspondents on Thursday following a meeting of the council, which was presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima. According to Diri, if the states fail to present their reports within the specified timeframe, the NEC will take “appropriate decisions” regarding the matter. The push for the creation of state police has been ongoing since February 15, when the federal…

The Federal Government has announced the introduction of voluntary Special Airport Marshals to monitor staff conduct and assess hygiene standards at Nigerian airports. The initiative, unveiled by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is part of a broader effort to enhance service delivery and improve the travel experience for the public. Although the marshals are yet to be selected, they will comprise public-spirited individuals drawn from members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and representatives of State Governors. Their duties will include conducting unscheduled visits to airports, providing independent assessments, and reporting directly…

Lawmakers in Nigeria’s House of Representatives have rejected a bill seeking a six-year single rotational term for the offices of the President, State Governors, and Local Government Area Chairpersons. The rejection occurred on Thursday following a voice vote by lawmakers who disagreed with the rationale behind the motion. Honourable Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere of Imo State and thirty-three others sponsored the bill, titled: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to Create a Single Term of Six Years for the Office of President and State Governors, Recognize the Division of Nigeria…

Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) have issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. In a statement, the ICC revealed that its pre-trial chamber had dismissed Israel’s objections to its jurisdiction and approved the arrest warrants. While the Israeli military has claimed Deif was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July, the ICC prosecution noted it was not in a position to confirm his death The judges stated there were “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu, Gallant, and Deif bear “criminal responsibility” for alleged war…

Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has been arrested in Finland alongside four other individuals for alleged terror-related offenses. Local reports indicate that Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. In a statement released on Thursday, November 21, the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorist activities. The four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime,” while Simon Ekpa, the primary suspect, was arrested “on suspicion of public…

After several minutes of deliberation, the Senate has granted approval to the ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2billion) loan request brought before it by President Bola Tinubu. The funds was approved by the lawmakers after a voice vote in favor of the request which had divided Nigerians with some backing the president’s moves while others kicked against it. Tinubu’s loan request approved on Thursday during plenary chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, would be used to partially finance the 9.7 trillion naira deficit of the 2024 fiscal year. The approval was granted after the the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has emphasised the importance of its partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited on the construction of the 70.75km Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, spoke on the project when he led a delegation of the Commission’s Executive Management and Directors to meet with the Chevron Management led by the Director, NNPCL/Chevron Joint Venture, Dr Segun Kuteyi, at the Chevron headquarters in Lagos. Ogbuku restated the commitment of the NDDC to the completion of the Omadino-Escravos Road, which he said would…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has announced the official unveiling of its latest crude oil grade, the Utapate crude oil blend, before the international crude oil market. The development is a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation and economic growth efforts, according to the NNPCL. In a statement signed by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, on Wednesday in Abuja, the NNPCL stated that the new product was unveiled before a packed audience of European crude oil marketers at the ongoing Argus European Crude Conference taking place in London, England. It would be recalled…