Author: Vardiafrica

The Port Harcourt division of the Rivers State High Court has ruled that Celestine Omehia is not a former governor of Rivers State and as such not entitled to the pensions meant for former governors and their deputies. Ruling on the matter brought before the court by Omehia, Justice Daketima Kio in a 97-page judgment that took almost three hours to read, however, said that the counterclaim by the state government demanding that Omehia repay N695m was lacking in merit as he hadn’t compelled anyone to pay him the money. Though the counsel to Omehia refused to comment, the Senior…

Ron DeSantis, governor of the US state of Florida, has signed a bill restricting minors from social media. The bill prohibits children under the age of 14 from becoming social media account holders, and allows 14 and 15-year-olds to become account holders with parental consent. “Social media harms children in a variety of ways,” DeSantis said in a statement on Monday after signing the bill. “HB 3 gives parents a greater ability to protect their children. Thank you to Speaker Renner for delivering this landmark legislation The law also protects state residents from remaining anonymous online. In addition, the bill…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board(NCDMB) is currently carrying out an onsite out-of-country monitoring visit to South Korea to inspect facilities fabricating Pressure Vessels, Columns, Heat Exchangers, and Filters for the NLNG Train 7 project awarded to the consortium of SAIPEM, Chiyoda and DAEWOO (SCD JV).The visit is from the 18th – 22nd of March 2024. The Monitoring visit is being led by the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe and the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu. The Nigeria LNG Ltd team is led by the Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila and the General Manager, External Relations, and Sustainable Development (ER), NLNG, Mr. Andy Odeh. The NLNG Train 7 project is important to the Federal Government of…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa, marked the close-out of the 2023 edition of its Science Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools in Bayelsa State, with prizes for institutions and their students that emerged overall best. Organised in partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the competition is designed to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education among secondary school students and thus orientate them towards academic disciplines vital to oil and gas industry operations. In an address at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB,…

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has confirmed the escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance regional manager for Africa. A statement by Zakari Mijinyawa, head of strategic communication at ONSA, said “preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport”. “The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention,” the statement reads. On Monday, a report by Premium Times said the Binance executive escaped from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained,…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a circular to Bureau De Change operators (BDCs), informing them that it has sold $10,000 to each BDC at a rate of N1,251/$1. In a circular seen by Nairametrics, each BDC is instructed to sell the dollars to eligible customers at a rate not exceeding 1.5% above the purchase price. This suggest BDC are not expected to sell above N1,269/$1. This confirms the resumption of dollar sales to BDC operators after a prolonged period of suspension by the central bank in 2021. The ban was lifted earlier in the year following the revocation of licences of over 4173…

The Federal Executive Council has sanctioned the creation of the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, aimed at enhancing social services nationwide. Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services, revealed this information following the 4th FEC meeting of the year, held on Monday in Abuja. He mentioned that the fund is designed as a Special Purpose Vehicle to draw the crucial investment needed for the country’s infrastructure development demands. Infrastructural Funds to drive economic growth According to the FIRS chief, this effort aims to bridge the infrastructure gap of over $858 billion, which has been an obstacle to national growth. …

After more than five months of war, the UN Security Council for the first time Monday demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after the United States, Israel’s ally which vetoed previous drafts, abstained. Drawing unusual applause in the normally staid Security Council, all 14 other members voted in favor of the resolution which “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The resolution calls for the truce to lead to a “lasting, sustainable ceasefire” and demands that Hamas and other militants free hostages seized in their October 7 attack that triggered the massive Israeli military campaign.…

The Federal Government says Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has been invited by security agencies for questioning over some comments he made on the activities of bandits. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, who briefed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, said nobody is above the law and found guilty, Gumi will be reprimanded. “The security agencies are up and doing. Sheikh Gumi or any other person is not above the law. If he he suggestions that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that…

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, is set to win the keenly contested presidential election in West Africa’s more stable democracies, as major contender, Amadou Ba conceded defeat. From a Dakar prison to the presidency, Senegal’s anti-establishment Bassirou Diomaye Faye embodies the winning charisma of his mentor and opposition figurehead Ousmane Sonko, who endorsed him as his replacement “Bassirou is me,” said Sonko of his number two, who at the age of 44 is set to become Senegal’s youngest head of state after his main rival in the presidential election recognised his victory on Monday. The former tax inspector has risen in…