Author: Vardiafrica

Many universities in the US have been advising their international students to return early amid concerns that President-elect Donald Trump may reinstate a travel ban on certain countries following his inauguration, according to a report. CNN said many major universities, including New York University (NYU), which hosts the largest number of foreign students, as well as Cornell University and the University of Southern California, have warned students about concerns regarding the coming Trump administration. Universities are urging international students, who are currently on winter break, to return to the US before the inauguration on Jan. 20, citing concerns that Trump…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the sum of ₦100,000 for civil servants, public servants, and pensioners in the state. The approval was communicated in a statement that was signed and released by the States Head of Service, George Nwaeke, on Tuesday. Dr. Nwaeke said the approval, which was given on Monday, is to enable the workers and senior citizens have a fulfilled Christmas celebration. This is the second time within the administration of Fubara that civil servants in the state will be receiving Christmas bonus, to the tune of one hundred thousand naira, an amount which is above…

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated enforcement action against five airlines (two international and three domestic operators) for various violations of Part 19 of the NCAA regulations. The violations include the non-payment of refunds within the stipulated time frame, non-responsiveness to the NCAA’s directives, missing luggage, manhandled luggage, short-landed baggage, delayed and cancelled flights, amongst others. A spokesman for NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this to journalists at the corporate headquarters of the Authority in Abuja on Tuesday. He said that although airlines are not always responsible for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations stipulate actions that airlines must take during…

President Bola Tinubu has felicitated Christians on Christmas celebration in the country, saying the nation is on a promising path of restoration and progress. Tinubu said this in his Christmas message issued on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. The president stated: “On this joyous Christmas Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Christians across Nigeria and worldwide as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, as narrated in the Holy Scriptures. “Christmas embodies the fulfilment of divine prophecy and symbolises the triumph of love, peace, and unity. It is a poignant reminder that light can emerge even in the darkest times,…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has inspected the ongoing repair works at the failed sections of the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road between Umuapu and Umuagwo in Imo State. Ogbuku stated that the road’s deplorable state necessitated the emergency measures the NDDC took to restore it and make it motorable immediately. The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, accompanied by some Commission officials, was given an on-site briefing by the engineers of the construction firm handling the emergency rehabilitation.Ogbuku expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the directive for the urgent restoration of the…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reduced the pump price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N899 per litre. The product previously sold at N1,020. According to the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), the new price was fixed by the NNPCL. Quoting a document released by NNPCL’s Commercial Department, the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, said the reduction was based on regional pricing scheme and that under the arrangement, it would sell for N970 per litre in parts of the South South region. The development comes two…

The Federal Government has inaugurated a new electronic gate (E-gate) at the departure wing of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The inauguration was unveiled by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo on Friday. The minister who disclosed in a post on his X handle, explained that the E-gate is to enhance passenger comfort and security, underscoring the government’s dedication to improving Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure. Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN’s Managing Director, joined the minister at the commissioning ceremony

The Federal Government has unveiled a free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy with the aim of positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who inaugurated the AI Academy on Thursday in Abuja, said the programme is set up in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation. While emphasising that the online programme is free, the minister called on all Nigerians particularly students, youths and civil servants to avail themselves of the opportunity to be part of a movement that would redefine the future of the nation. Registration…

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has announced the unveiling of the Nigeria Police Force Insurance Co. Ltd. A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Ogunjobi on Friday, said the company is a groundbreaking initiative designed to safeguard the welfare of police personnel and extend comprehensive insurance services to the general public. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 23rd, 2024, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja by 11:00 am. The statement added “Recognizing the indispensable role of police officers in maintaining national security, NPF Insurance Co. Ltd aims to provide robust financial protection and support…

The house of representatives has passed a bill seeking to extend the implementation of the 2024 Appropriation Act to June 2025. The bill passed the third reading at the lower legislative chamber during plenary on Thursday. Julius Ihonvbere, majority leader of the house, who moved a motion for the consideration of the appropriation bill, said it would allow the full implementation of the capital components of the budget. During the presentation of N49.7 trillion as the 2025 budget proposal before a joint sitting of the senate and house of representatives on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu said his administration attained “remarkable milestones in implementing” the…