Author: Vardiafrica

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele on Wednesday for approving the printing of N684.5m at the rate of N18.96bn. The arraignment was originally scheduled for April 30, 2024, but was rescheduled following the agreement of the court and the parties. In the four-count charge filed against him, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The anti-graft agency also…

The federal government has extended the federal executive council (FEC) meeting to Tuesday. Mohammed Idris, minister of information and culture, announced the extension of the FEC meeting on Monday while speaking with State House correspondents. The FEC meeting was held on Monday for the first time since March. Idris said the FEC meeting will continue on Tuesday at 12pm. “The council meeting will continue tomorrow, therefore, there will be no press briefing today,” the minister said. “A lot of far-reaching decisions are being taken and the conclusions will be made available to you tomorrow. FEC will continue at 12 noon…

President Bola Tinubu has directed all government ministries, departments, and agencies to purchase compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles. Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said this in a Monday statement. “In line with his commitment to ensure energy security, drive utility, and cut high fuel costs, President Bola Tinubu has directed the mandatory procurement of compressed-natural-gas-powered vehicles by all government ministries, departments, and agencies,” Ngelale said. According to him, the move is part of the country’s efforts to transition to cleaner energy as CNG-enabled vehicles have been adjudged to produce lower emissions, even as they present a more affordable alternative for Nigerian energy consumers “This…

Melinda French Gates announced Monday she was leaving the philanthropy mega foundation she established with her ex-husband, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. The resignation, which becomes effective on June 7, will leave Bill Gates as the sole chair of one of the world’s most influential and powerful non-governmental organizations. “After careful thought and reflection, I have decided to resign from my role as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,” Melinda French Gates wrote in a statement posted on social media. The statement gave no reason for her departure, but noted that “under the terms of my agreement with Bill,…

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election Peter Obi has met with ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and former Governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido in separate visits. Atiku posted photos of him and Obi during their Monday meeting on his X handle. “It was my honour and privilege to host @PeterObi today,” Atiku wrote. In a statement following the meetings, the LP presidential campaign spokesman Tanko Yunusa said Obi visited them to discuss the “state of the nation “Worried about the state of the nation and the increasing uncertainty in the…

The Rivers State House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, has screened and confirmed a commissioner nominee sent to it by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.  During the screening on Monday, the nominee, Dagogo Iboroma, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, pledged to uphold the rule of law and serve the state diligently, irrespective of the ministry he will be deployed to. The event was the first legislative session since the election of new principal officers, and the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo backed by lawmakers supporting Governor Fubara of Rivers State. Also present during the screening were principal officers and former members of the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the #WeAreEqual Campaign in Nigeria with more commitment of his administration to end gender-based violence and increase learning opportunities for girls, in safe and conducive environments. President Tinubu gave the assurance on Monday during the launch of organisation of African First Ladies for Development OAFLAD, #WeAreEqual Campaign, held at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja. The President also assured of his government’s willingness to promote laws and policies that protect and promote women’s rights, and invest in girls’ education and skills development, while it also creating economic opportunities that are accessible to all. The…

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in two commissioners from Ogun and Osun States as members of the National Population Commision The two commissioners, Hon. Fasuwa Johnson from Ogun State and Hon. Amidu Raheem from Osun State, were sworn in just before the Federal Executive Council meeting commenced in the Council Chamber on Monday. The short ceremony, which entailed their citations being read and oath of allegiance being administered, was witnessed by the Vice President, Kassim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, cabinet ministers and other government…

The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has officially unveiled Finidi George as the new head coach of the Nigerian men national team, the Super Eagles. The Minister unveiled the former Super Eagles forward at an event in Abuja attended by the leaders of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Monday morning. “Any country I find an indigenous coach sitting on the bench, I always feel very proud and I am glad that we have an opportunity that have a Nigerian coach, Finidi George, as football men national…

Members of the organised labour have started picketing the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos)’s premises nationwide over the hike in electricity tariff.  The action of the workers follows a joint directive from the leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at weekend to their members to picket these offices in protest of the tariff hike. “We write to inform you of the picketing action scheduled to take place in the offices of the NERC and Electricity Distribution companies (DISCOS) in all states, including the FCT,” the…