Author: Vardiafrica

A fresh round of crisis has kicked off in Rivers State less than 24 hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara was denied entry into the State Assembly quarters. The State Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, has invited the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to investigate the State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, over alleged age falsification. This was the subject matter at Thursday’s plenary following the presentation of some key documents to the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, by the leader of the House, Mr. Major Jack. After an overwhelming voice vote, the House agreed to invite the DSS…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, filing a contempt charge following her six-month suspension from the Senate. Also named in the suit are the Clerk of the National Assembly and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct. The senator argues that her suspension directly violates an existing court order issued on March 4. The Federal High Court in Abuja has formally notified the defendants of their alleged disobedience to the court order. In a notice of disobedience signed by the court registrar, the defendants were warned…

Air Peace, the Nigerian flag carrier is in discussion with the Namibian Government over the possibility of direct flights between Nigeria and Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. This is as Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development has asked the Namibian Government to ease visa issuance to Nigerians by introducing visa on arrival for the country’s citizens travelling to the Southern African country. A statement by Mr. Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Keyamo, said that these formed parts of the discussions between Amb. Humphrey Geiseb, the Namibian Ambassador to Nigeria and Keyamo, when…

In a bid to foster inclusive growth and sustainable impact in communities of operations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has established a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit to drive its commitment to national development. This initiative underscores the Service’s recognition of its broader responsibility beyond trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security. The newly established CSR Unit will spearhead programs under the “Customs -Cares” initiative, designed to support national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These initiatives will include; school renovations, mobile clinic activation, food and medical aid, agricultural support, skills acquisition programs, and youth empowerment. Through these…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has revealed an online app with a database to verify registered medications. “Greenbook,” the online application, can be accessed through various platforms, including the web. Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director General, NAFDAC, said this on Wednesday during the launch at the NAFDAC office in the Isolo area of Lagos State. Adeyeye said, “It is a repository of NAFDAC-registered drugs. This momentous occasion symbolises a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering quality, efficacious, and easily verifiable products to the market.” “One of the things that we should be known…

Amid the controversy rocking the Nigerian Senate, the Red Chamber on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. This comes after Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele under Orders 40 and 51, moved a motion on the recent controversy surrounding the upper chamber, underscoring the need for clarity, adherence to legislative rules and a renewed focus on governance. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central was suspended by the Senate following allegation of sexual harassments against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. She tagged her suspension as an injustice, reporting the matter to the United Nation’s Inter-Parliamentary Union…

The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, held a closed-door meeting with the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, at the Ramat House in Bauchi State on Thursday. The purpose of the visit has not yet been disclosed. Both Obi and Mohammed are engaged in closed-door discussions and are expected to address journalists after the meeting. The meeting between the Labour Party (LP) chieftain and the Peoples Democratic Party stalwart occurred amid political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Obi came third in the 2023 presidential election won by ex-Lagos governor Bola Tinubu of the…

An Australian man in his forties has become the first person in the world to leave hospital with an artificial heart made of titanium. The device is used as a stopgap for people with heart failure who are waiting for a donor heart, and previous recipients of this type of artificial heart had remained in US hospitals while it was in place. The man lived with the device for more than three months until he underwent surgery to receive a donated human heart. The man is recovering well, according to a statement from St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, Australia, where…

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to advancing Africa’s digital and creative economy in Nigeria. He made this known at the ReImagine Africa Conference and Exhibition held in Port Harcourt on Monday. Speaking on the theme: Generation Africa, Redefining Global Narratives and Opportunities, Ogbe highlighted the importance of technology, research, and development (R&D) in shaping Africa’s economic future. Represented at the event by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Esueme Dan Kikile commended the ingenuity of the young developers and reaffirmed NCDMB’s commitment to supporting…

Manchester United have announced plans to build the biggest stadium in the UK – an “iconic” new £2bn 100,000-seater ground close to Old Trafford. Once construction is complete, the club’s existing home is likely to be demolished. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said he wanted to build the “world’s greatest football stadium”, which the club hopes could be finished in five years. United’s announcement comes after an extensive consultation process around whether to develop the existing stadium or build a new one. Old Trafford has been Manchester United’s home since 1910. The club would continue to play at Old Trafford until…