Author: Vardiafrica

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the Nigerian judiciary has a lot of upright knowledgeable, hardworking and courageous judges, lamenting that a few are tarnishing their reputation. Kekere-Ekun stated this at a public discourse in Lagos themed “Ethics, Morality And The Law.” The event was held in honour of Justice Habib Abiru who was recently elevated as a justice of the Supreme Court. The CJN, who was the chairperson of the event, urged all judges to remember that as individuals, each person is accountable to his or herself and to God. She emphasised that public acceptance…

 Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been confirmed as the sole running candidate for the director general position of the World Trade Organization (WTO).This was confirmed by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council, who informed WTO members on November 9 that no further nominations for the position of Director-General had been received by the deadline of November 8. The incumbent Director-General, Okonjo-Iweala, is therefore the only candidate for the role.Okonjo-Iweala confirmed her intention to serve a second four-year term in the role in a letter to the Chair on September 16. On October 8, the WTO formally commenced the…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged-off the distribution of 45,000 units of U-Lesson tablets; an educational tool for use by secondary school students in nine States across the Niger-Delta region of the country. She affirmed that the country must ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education is given to citizens especially children of school age, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 4. Mrs Tinubu stated these at the flag-off the distribution of U-lesson tablets to primary and secondary schools in the nine States of the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria, at the State House Conference Center, Abuja on…

In reference to the court judgement withholding allocations to Rivers State, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)Joe Ajaero has told the Nigerian judiciary not to embark on what he described as ‘a journey of self destruction’ as the union will not fold its hands and watch Rivers workers suffer unjustly. Joe Ajero who said this during the commissioning of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses for workers in Rivers State also warned that the union will not accept a situation where the price of CNG will be like that of petrol The compressed natural gas CNG buses are part of…

A batch of six graduate trainees who recently completed a one-year hands-on programme at PFL Engineering Services Limited, Port Harcourt, on Thursday received certificates at a close-out ceremony attended by Management staff of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and managers of the training programme.   The Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate of the NCDMB, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, represented by a Manager of the Department, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, expressed appreciation to PFL Engineering and the trainers for the quality programme which he said meets the standards stipulated by the Board. Ahmed described the training programme as part of strategic intervention by the NCDMB aimed at building the…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State outlined its programmes designed to enhance local manufacturing and research and innovation, emphasising that the growth of Nigerian Content demands strengthening of in-country industrial capabilities.   Speaking at the 40th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Rivers and Bayelsa branch, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Board is working towards a target of 70 per cent local content by 2027 and that substantial growth of manufacturing capabilities in the oil and gas industry was imperative for…

The outgoing Governor of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, dissolved his cabinet ahead of the November 12, 2024 swearing-in of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the new governor of the state. Governor Obaseki dissolved his cabinet,five days to the end of his eight years of two tenures as governor of the state. He dissolved the Exco, shortly after a valedictory session held at the Government House, Benin City. The motion for the dissolution of the State Executive Council for 2020-2024 was moved by the Deputy Governor, Godwins Omobayo and was seconded by the…

A portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing has become the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching US$1.08m (£566,000, A$1.63m) in New York on Thursday. The 2.2 metre (7.5 feet) portrait, titled A.I. God. Portrait of Alan Turing, was created by Ai-Da, the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist. It smashed pre-sale expectations between $120,000 and $180,000 when it went under the hammer at Sotheby’s, which confirmed that 27 bids were placed on the work.‘ “Today’s record-breaking sale price for the first artwork by a humanoid robot artist to go up for auction marks a moment in the…

The eight clubs participating in the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco, will benefit from a significant boost in prize money, with each team guaranteed at least USD 150,000. The CAF Women’s Champions League launched in 2021, has seen its prize pool increase by 52% this year to USD 2,350,000. The prize distribution is as follows: Winner: USD 600,000Runner-up: USD 400,0003rd place: USD 350,0004th place: USD 300,0003rd in Group: USD 200,000 each4th in Group: USD 150,000 each CAF’s commitment to growing women’s football is also reflected in their focus on youth academies and increasing prize money to ensure the sport…

The Canadian government has announced the cancellation of the 10-year multiple-entry visa for Nigerians and citizens of other countries. The authorities said that the cancellation of 10-year multiple-entry visa is part of the government’s efforts to curb immigration after experiencing a post-COVID population surge.While the multiple-entry visa previously allowed holders to enter and leave Canada freely, a government update said that the 10-year multiple-entry visa is no longer viewed as the “standard document.” The update by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) added, “Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered…