Author: Vardiafrica

Telecommunication operators in Nigeria have said that their services are overdue for price increments as they have not implemented any upward price adjustment in the last 11 years. The operators stated this in a joint statement by the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). The two associations represent Mobile Network Operators and telecommunication companies in Nigeria. According to them, the telecom industry is the only industry that has not reviewed its prices despite the rising inflation in the country and other economic realities that warrant increment. They blamed this…

A 54-year-old grandmother has successfully received the first-ever combined pig kidney and mechanical heart pump transplant. Lisa Pisano, a New Jersey native with end-stage kidney disease and heart failure, was not a candidate for heart and kidney transplant due to the shortage of human organ donations and chronic health conditions that minimized her likelihood of a good outcome. She said: “All I want is the opportunity to have a better life. “After I was ruled out for a human transplant, I learned I didn’t have a lot of time left. “My doctors thought there may be a chance I could…

Prime Minister of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa, has announced the shutdown of five hydroelectric stations in the country, in order to reduce excess electricity supply in the national grid. Mr Majaliwa said the main plant alone, which is Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, has already generated enough electricity to power major cities, including the country’s main commercial hub, Dar es Salaam. The BBC quoted an official of Tanesco, the power company run by the country as saying, “We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now.” Following…

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite today, has set aside the warrant of arrest it earlier issued on the 31st of January, 2024 against the Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor Edison Ehie and five others. The court agreed with the submissions of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana & Oluwole Aladedoye, who represented the applicants, that it lacks jurisdiction to have granted the ex-parte application brought by the Inspector General of Police (I.G.P) against Ehie and five others because there was no charge pending before his court. The court therefore…

The money laundering trial of a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, could not proceed on Thursday owing to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos. Justice Aneke was said to be away on an official assignment, prompting the adjournment of the case to July 1 for the continuation of trial. Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged N6.9bn fraud and money laundering. He was first arraigned on Oct. 22, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatotegun, alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd, on an…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a notice of withdrawal to discontinue an appeal against an order of a Kogi High Court restraining it from arresting the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. In the notice filed on April 22, the EFCC said the withdrawal is predicated on the fact that events have overtaken the appeal. The commission also admits that the appeal was filed out of the time allowed by law. “The appellant herein intends to and do hereby wholly withdraw her appeal against the respondent in the above-mentioned appeal,” the notice partly read.…

Isaac Kamalu, the commissioner for finance, has resigned from the cabinet of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers. Kamalu was affected by a minor cabinet reshuffle made by the governor on April 23. He was moved to the ministry of employment generation and economic empowerment. Kamalu’s resignation comes hours after Zacchaeus Adangor, the former attorney-general and commissioner for justice, who was affected by the shake-up, tendered his resignation Adangor was redeployed to the ministry of special duties (governor’s office). In a letter addressed to Tammy Danagogo, secretary to the state government (SSG), Kamalu said the governor’s “inability to maintain peace” in the state was…

Operatives of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Wednesday, quizzed owners of a Chinese supermarket in Abuja over alleged discriminatory practices against Nigerians. FCCPC operatives also conducted an inspection of the facility, even as investigation progresses. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Federal Government agency said, “Owners of the Abuja Chinese Supermarket facing allegations of discriminatory practices responded to our summons today to answer questions regarding the allegations. FCCPC operatives have conducted an inspection of the facility.” The FCCPC had shut the Chinese supermarket on Monday over alleged discrimination against Nigerians. The Commission subsequently summoned the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the takeoff of the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme. Consumer credit serves as the lifeblood of modern economies, enabling citizens to enhance their quality of life by accessing goods and services upfront, paying responsibly over time. It facilitates crucial purchases, such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability to pursue their aspirations. Through responsible repayment, individuals build credit histories, unlocking more opportunities for a better life. Additionally, the increased demand for goods and services stimulates local industry and job creation. The President believes every hardworking Nigerian should have access to…

The Kaduna State House Of Assembly Adhoc Committee set up to investigate ex-governor Nasir el-Rufai’s eight-year administration has set Thursday, April 25, 2024 as deadline for the submission of memorandum and documents to the committee. This was contained in a formal communication issued by the Clerk of the Assembly, Sakinatu Hassan to the Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance outlining the scope of the probe. According to the statement, the investigation by the lawmakers will focus on the loans, financial transactions, contractual liabilities and other than matters that were obtained or awarded under the el-Rufai administration. “The Kaduna State House of…