Author: Vardiafrica

More facts are emerging in the political crisis rocking Rivers State, with Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, giving more insight on the reason behind the frosty relationship between his principal and the former Governor, Nyesom Wike. Ehie said the problem in Rivers State began when a few political leaders sought exclusive control of the resources of the state. Ehie spoke on Saturday at a thanksgiving service for the Supreme Court victory of the governor in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state, where he warned that the governor is capable of teaching his opponents…

An aircraft belonging to XeJet Airline skidded off the runway at the domestic wing of Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos State on Saturday morning.  But there were no casualties, according to a terse statement by the airline. “XE Jet Limited has confirmed that one of their aircraft, an Embraer 145 with registration 5N-BZZ operating on behalf of NG Eagle Airlines suffered a runway excursion whilst landing at Murtala Muhammed Airport’s 18L runway this afternoon at approximately 12.29hrs,” the airline said. “No casualties were reported. We are currently liaising with NCAA, AIB and NISB, and associated agencies and will issue a…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stopped dollar transations at foreign embassies in Nigeria. The anti-graft agency said that the Nigerian local currency should be the only legal tender for transactions at foreign embassies. A source in the EFCC confirmed the development to Channels Television. According to the source, the commission sent an advisory to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating that all transactions at foreign missions should be conducted in Naira. The Commission explained that the directive is part of efforts to strengthen the Naira. The value of the Naira dipped from around N700/$1 to around N1,400/$1…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has cautioned compliance officers of banks in Nigeria to stop disclosing the anti-graft agency’s investigative activities to their customers. EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made the call on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, through the Acting Zonal Director of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, ACE I Hauwa Garba Ringim, during a stakeholders’ meeting with Compliance Officers of Banks in Oyo State. In a statement released by the agency on Saturday, the EFCC said it is aware of the fact that Compliance Officers give information to their clients regarding ‘letters of investigation activities’ written…

On a three-day visit to Nigeria to promote his Invictus Games, Prince Harry on Saturday played a seated volleyball match with army veterans, most wounded in battle against the country’s Islamist insurgency. ADVERTISEMENT The Duke of Sussex arrived with his wife Meghan on Friday in the capital Abuja where they visited a school for an event on mental health in a trip that also saw the prince meet wounded Nigerian soldiers in the northwest. At an officer’s mess complex in Abuja, Harry’s team dressed in yellow played off in an exhibition against a team led by Nigeria’s chief of defence…

Dana Air has temporarily disengaged some of its staff members. This comes on the heels of its recent grounding and an ongoing audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The carrier’s Head of Corporate Communications, Kingsley Ezenwa, said this in a statement on Saturday. He said the audit, which is currently in progress, is a joint effort between the company and regulatory authorities to ensure strict adherence to all required standards and regulations. “In light of the ongoing audit, Dana Air has made the decision to temporarily disengage some staff members pending the conclusion of the audit,” Ezenwa said.…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has ordered immediate temporary relocation of the sitting of the State House of Assembly to the Auditorium, Admin Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt The order is contained in the State’s official Gazette, Executive Order of the Rivers State Government 001-2023. According to the governor, the decision was taken because the current House of Assembly complex in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the lawmakers. This is coming few hours after a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction…

President Bola Tinubu has advised lithium investors to prioritise environmental protection and community engagement, warning them not to leave the host community in ruins in their exploration activities. Receiving a delegation from Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited and Canmax Technologies led by Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule, Tinubu commended the inauguration of Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant in Lafia, Nasarawa State.According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Sule was accompanied on the visit to the President by Mr. Hi Yongwei, Chairman of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, and Mr. Zhenhua Pei,…

The Duke of Sussex Prince Harry has visited Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State as well as soldiers who were wounded in action as part of his activities while in Nigeria. The prince who arrived at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House in Kaduna on Friday afternoon was accompanied by some aides and top nigerian military officers While welcoming the prince, Governor Sani commended him for identifying with the Nigerian Armed Forces and supporting soldiers who were wounded in action The governor noted that such visits would go a long way in lifting the spirits of the brave and resilient officers…

The Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has granted an interim injunction restraining pro-Wike speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 other members from parading themselves as legislators. The court directive prohibits them from convening or participating in any official meetings at the Assembly premises. The court’s decision stems from an exparte order filed against the pro-Wike lawmakers by pro-Siminialayi Fubara speaker Victor Oko Jumbo and three others. The interim injunction declares the seats of the 1st to 25th defendants vacant pending further legal proceedings Additionally, the court issued a restraining order, prohibiting Governor Fubara…