Author: Vardiafrica

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has warned police officers in the country against rights violations, and other misconduct.  “No operative should be seen carrying assault arms (rifles) while dressed in civilian attire (mufti),” the IGP said in a virtual meeting with police managers on Monday, according to a statement by Force Spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi. The IGP said he has received various complaints regarding rights violations through the Force’s complaint channels. He warned that any conduct violating human rights won’t be tolerated and would be met with severe consequences. “The IGP also warned all tactical squads against the…

The Federal Government has commenced the selection process for appointing a new Accountant-General of the Federation and permanent secretaries to fill existing vacancies in Oyo State and the North-West geo-political zone. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, announced this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu. According to Walson-Jack, the selection process will involve a written examination conducted by a top Federal Government security agency. The examination questions will be set and marked by serving and retired permanent secretaries. “Observers from…

The Federal Government has hiked the application fees for new private universities to N25m from N5m. This was contained in a memo issued by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu said on Monday. The Commission said the move was part of its efforts at repositioning private universities in Nigeria to better meet the needs of the citizenry and for better coordination of the development of the Private University Education sub-sector of the Nigerian University System. It also said it has identified the need to review the guidelines for the establishment of private universities. The memo…

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms that prioritise inclusive growth and bridge financial gaps across the country. Accordingly, he inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) as part of the federal government’s commitment to achieving a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. The event also witnessed the signing of an investment agreement by private sector stakeholders to provide the foundational infrastructure needed for the full operationalisation of the Aso Accord initiative. The accord signed on Thursday, 25th April 2024 at the State House Banquet Hall is a core pillar of…

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has recorded some achievements in its war against abuse of narcotic substances, especially with the cooperation of sub-nationals. The agency’s spokesman Femi Babafemi in a televised interview today said some state governments in the country have embraced the NDLEA’s advocacy to make drug tests mandatory for appointees and employees. He said, “It’s an advocacy move and that has been going on since 2021. Quite a number of state governments are already making this a policy in their states to ensure that whoever goes for an elective position or whoever is appointed…

A gas explosion in Sabon Wuse, Tafa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, has destroyed several vehicles, shops, and foodstuffs, leaving business owners counting their losses. The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the incident on Sunday, stating that while no lives were lost, the destruction was extensive. The explosion occurred around 11 p.m. on Saturday when a gas tanker was offloading at a local filling station. Witnesses reported that the blast sent shockwaves through the community, causing panic among residents. The fire quickly spread, reaching a nearby petrol station and engulfing…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu over “the failure to direct the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun to name and ensure the prosecution of the contractors who collected over N167 billion from 31 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) but failed to execute any projects.” Joined in the suit as Respondent is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. In the suit number FHC/L/MISC/121/2025 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court “to compel President Tinubu to…

Elon Musk has dismissed speculation that he is interested in acquiring TikTok, the popular social media platform facing scrutiny in the United States over national security concerns tied to its Chinese owner, ByteDance. Speaking at a conference in Germany last month, Musk made his first public comments on the matter, stating emphatically that he had not placed a bid for TikTok and had no plans to pursue an acquisition. “I have not put in a bid for TikTok. I don’t have any plans for what I would do if I had TikTok,” Musk said. Musk’s remarks, published by Die Welt on…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has resumed the collection of access gate fees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, effective 8:30 a.m. on February 8, 2025. The charges had been suspended for two weeks, starting January 24, due to inconveniences caused by ongoing road construction at the airport. The announcement was contained in a public notice signed by FAAN’s management and shared via the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Authority on Saturday. “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to inform the general public that the authority has officially resumed collection of access gate…

President Trump said on Friday that he is “not interested” in deporting Harry, who currently resides in Montecito, Calif., with his wife, Meghan Markle. “I don’t want to do that,” Trump told the New York Post. “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” In February last year, Trump accused former President Biden’s administration of “protecting Harry,” adding that he wouldn’t do the same if he wins the White House. “He betrayed the queen. That’s unforgivable,” Trump told the U.K.’s Daily Express in an interview, adding that Harry “would be on his own” if reelected. Trump, in his…