Author: Vardiafrica

The Senate has received a request from President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of the appointments of seven ministerial nominees announced on Wednesday. President Tinubu’s request seeking expeditious consideration of the requests was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio who read it at the commencement of the plenary on Thursday. Tinubu urged the Senate to consider and confirm the seven nominees for appointment as ministers. The ministerial nominees for confirmation include Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction), Muhammadu Dingyadi (Labour & Employment), Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State Foreign Affairs), and Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment). Others…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought for adjournment of hearing in its fresh charge against the immediate-past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and two others, to November 14, 2024. At the resumed hearing, Counsel to the Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the court issued public summons against Bello, directing that same be published and that the charge be pasted. The trial Judge, Justice Maryann Anenih, however, interjected, stating that she did not ask that the charge be pasted, only the summons. Oyedepo said he expected Bello to be in court on November 14, making reference to the…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has commenced work on the faulty Ugwuaji – Apir 330kV Double Circuit transmission line. According to the TCN, it discovered the fault around 5 pm in the Igumale area of Benue State. The TCN said the “fault area of the transmission line, which measures about one span, was found to be a snapped 330kV transmission line located in the swampy forest of Igumale.” “Having made the discovery earlier in the evening of today, arrangements arealready ongoing to mobilise equipment and materials that would be moved to the site of the incident to enable TCN…

Nigeria and twelve other countries have joined the BRICS intergovernmental organization as partner nations, not full members The announcement was made during the ongoing BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, as the bloc seeks to enhance cooperation with emerging economies worldwide. The other 12 countries are; Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam In January 2024, four countries namely, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates joined the organization BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of leading emerging market economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa which aims to promote trade,…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as the new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and poverty Alleviation. His appointment lays to rest speculations about the return of Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. Yilwatda was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Plateau governorship candidate in the 2023 election.  He was born on August 8, 1968 in Dungung, Kanke LG to the family of a clergy, Late Rev and Mrs Toma Yilwatda Yilwatda’s educational career started with him passing the First School Leaving Certificate at LGED Primary School, Dungung in 1981 and GCE (O/Level) in 1986 from the prestigious Boys’…

Billionaire Elon Musk’s America PAC has been warned by the Justice Department that its $1 million daily giveaways to registered voters may violate federal law, US media reported Wednesday. Musk, the world’s richest man, announced the contest on Saturday in Pennsylvania, one of the seven “swing states” that will likely determine who will become the next US president — Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. Musk, a Trump supporter, announced plans to give $1 million to one registered voter in a swing state every day until the US election on November 5. CNN and 24sight News said the letter from the…

Tunisian President Kais Saied was inaugurated for a second term following a tumultuous first term in which he suspended parliament, jailed his critics and rewrote the country’s constitution. In his inaugural address Monday before parliament, Saied called for a “cultural revolution” designed to fight terrorism, reduce unemployment and erase corruption. “The aim is to build a country where everyone can live in dignity,” he said. Saied won a little more than 90% of the votes, but that triumph was spoiled by a reported low voter turnout of 28.8%. Out of 14 presidential hopefuls, only three ended up on the ballot:…

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and his Katsina State Counterpart, Dikko Radda met with Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Abubakar Badaru and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja. The meeting which held behind closed doors was aimed at finding lasting solution to the security challenges bedevilling the states and other states in the region Communities in Zamfara and Katsina states and the ever busy Gusau – Funtua highway which connects the two state through different routes have experienced upsurge of banditry activities in recent times including killings and abduction of commercial drivers and travellers in broad daylight. The two strategic…

Abdullahi Bello, the new chair of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), has promised to deliver on the mandate of the agency. Bello was sworn in on Wednesday by President Bola Tinubu during the federal executive council (FEC) meeting. Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, Abdullahi said the CCB, under his leadership, will work to restore the integrity of the public service. Bello said he will ensure that public officials act with integrity and eschew corruption. “The Code of Conduct Bureau was the first anti-corruption agency in Nigeria and I intend to deliver on the mandate of the bureau,” he said.…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has identified hoarders of grains as a key factor driving food inflation in Nigeria The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, made the assertion during a town hall meeting with key industry players in Kano, the Kano State capital on Wednesday. Speaking to a packed audience at the Afficent Centre, Bello revealed that FCCPC investigators uncovered a disturbing trend where some merchants were stockpiling newly harvested grains to create artificial scarcity, thereby inflating food prices. “Without caring for the consequences of their actions on fellow countrymen and women, some of…