Author: Vardiafrica

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the MVA-BN vaccine as the first vaccine against mpox to be added to its prequalification list. The prequalification approval is expected to facilitate timely and increased access to this vital product in communities with urgent need, to reduce transmission and help contain the outbreak. WHO’s assessment for prequalification is based on information submitted by the manufacturer, Bavarian Nordic A/S, and review by the European Medicines Agency, the regulatory agency of record for this vaccine. “This first prequalification of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has imposed a fine of ₦1.69bn on Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for overbilling customer According to NERC, the fine is based on AEDC’s non-compliance with the commission’s previous order on capping estimated billing for electricity consumers. The penalty was contained in documented ‘Order NERC/2024/114’ issued the commission. The fine is part of the commission’s September 2024 Supplementary Order, dated August 30 and signed by Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, and Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye, obtained by Channels Television on NERC’s website on Thursday. After investigating AEDC’s billing practices, NERC identified that the…

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the National Bureau of Statistics’s new report which states that Nigeria recorded another trade surplus in the second quarter of 2024, hitting ₦6.95tn. According to the report, the current surplus is 6.60 per cent higher than the ₦6.52tn surplus recorded in the first quarter. In a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed confidence in the reforms his administration is pursuing, and believed they will create a more robust economy that will usher in a new era of prosperity for Nigerians. The NBS report, according to the presidential…

The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NPDC) on Tuesday at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), corporate headquarters of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Yenagoa, tasked organisations in the country to treat personal data as highly sensitive information by instituting appropriate measures to minimise data breaches. Speaking at a one-day Data Protection and Privacy Induction Training for staff of the Board, facilitators drew attention to the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, which aims “to safeguard the rights of individuals regarding their personal data and establish guidelines for organisations handling such data,” while highlighting multiple vulnerabilities in current data management…

King Charles III has hosted President Bola Tinubu at the at Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom (UK). Olusegun Dada, new media aide to the president, posted a photograph of both men exchanging pleasantries in a post on X on Thursday. The aide said continued diplomatic ties and partnership between Nigeria and the UK were discussed at the meeting. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited His Majesty, King Charles at Buckingham Palace,” he said. “The significant meeting, highlighting the continued diplomatic ties and partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.” Both men last met in November 2023 shortly before the 28th United Nations…

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM) has unveiled its first locally produced electric vehicle. In a post on Facebook, the company’s Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Cornel Osigwe stated the electric vehicle was manufactured at the company’s production plant in Nnewi, Anambra state. He said, “I just test drove the first Innoson vehicle Electric vehicle produced in Nnewi. We are just starting.” Mr. Osigwe revealed that this marks the company’s first-ever production of an electric vehicle (EV). However, details regarding the pricing of the Innoson EV, number of units produced and the timeline for its commercial release were not disclosed.…

Armed bandits have blocked the ever-busy Gusau – Funtua highway, kidnapping unspecified number of travellers. Yusuf Tsafe, a commuter who is still stranded around the area told Channels Television that the bandits stormed the highway in the early hours of Thursday and mounted a roadblock around the Tazame axis of the road. According to him, the bandits in their large numbers with about 50 motorcycles, each carrying 3 persons, abducted an unspecified number of travellers “They entered the road around 7 am, and till around 9am, they were still there, we just parked by the roadside waiting for the military…

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has assured Nigerians that the implementation of the proposed temporary zero-duty and levy on selected food imports will ease food inflation. The minister disclosed this to journalists after the pivotal meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service Board held in Abuja on Tuesday and chaired by the minister. According to him, measure is designed to alleviate the current food shortage and reduce soaring food prices, which have been a major contributor to inflation in the country. “We discussed how to collaborate effectively to make food more affordable and accessible in…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed more synergy between state governments and security agencies will help in winning the fight against crude oil theft in the country. Governor Fubara stated that against orchestrated sabotage by disgruntled elements to frustrate the fight initiated by his administration to tackle illegal bunkering in the State, formidable successes have been recorded, undoubtedly. The Governor expressed delight that the success will further be sustained, given the commendable interest shown by the Presidency that has constituted the Niger Delta Monitoring Team, and tasked with the mandate to curb oil theft and illegal refining of…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says its President, Joe Ajaero, was not invited by Department of State Services (DSS) before being arrested. NLC spokesman, Benson Upah, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. “Our attention has been drawn to a story (circulating in different media platforms) linked to “sources within the agency (DSS)” that preceding his arrest, Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress was invited by the DSS but that he did not honour the invitation,” the statement read. The “sources” further added that it was the reason for his arrest at the airport on his way…