Author: Vardiafrica

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has called for the full implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024, including the operationalisation of the National Cybersecurity Fund by all regulators and businesses specified in the second schedule of the Act. In a statement signed by the Head, Strategic Communication Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, said the directive was part of efforts to secure Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), counter-terrorism and violent extremism, strengthen national security, and protect its economic interests. On July 6, 2022, Nigeria joined 66 other countries that had signed and ratified…

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, has identified the huge purchases of food items by the government as palliatives for distribution to vulnerable citizens as a contributor to the galloping food inflation in the country. He disclosed this in his contributions during the March Monetary Policy Committee meeting, which was published on the CBN website on Monday. At the meeting, the MPC raised the benchmark interest rate to 24.75 percent from 22.75 percent, which it said was aimed at tackling inflation. But according to to the Consumer Price Index report released by the Nigerian Bureau of…

The Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has described compliance with rules and regulations as the key to growth and development, stressing  that lack of it was at the root of corruption in the country. He made this disclosure in Abuja on Thursday, May 2, 2024 when a delegation from the Compliance Institute, Nigeria, CIN, led by its President, Pattison Boleigha paid him a courtesy visit at the corporate headquarters of the Commission. According to him, “the success of any process or procedure in any society is based on the issue of compliance. The…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insists the proposed N615,000 minimum wage is realistic, dismissing claims that some states cannot pay such an amount if approved. Recent reforms in Nigeria including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market have pushed the cost of living to newer levels. Inflation figures hit 33.2 per cent in March, further compounding a troubled economy. Labour unions and the Federal Government have since been locked in negotiations over measures including a new minimum wage to cushion the impacts of the harsh economy. The NLC is proposing a N615,000 monthly salary…

The 36 state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) have disclosed that they were reviewing their individual fiscal space as state governments and the consequential impact of various recommendations, geared towards arriving at an improved minimum wage that they can pay sustainably.The governors said that they celebrate with workers across the country for their dedication to service and patience, as all have worked with the Federal Government, labour, the organised private sector, and relevant stakeholders in arriving at an implementable national minimum wage. According to the governors, while they acknowledge various initiatives adopted recently by way…

Again, Vice President Kashim Shettima has implored Nigerians to be patient with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he steers the ship of state through the economic turbulence and storm he met on ground on assumption of office. “Soon, Nigeria’s economy will experience significant growth once we’ve overcome these sacrifices. Positive changes will soon be evident across all economic indicators – inflation, per capita income, GDP numbers, poverty reduction, food security, and all aspects close to the hearts of our people,” he declared. Senator Shettima made the appeal on Thursday during the 2nd Chronicle Roundtable organized by 21st…

Vice President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to eradicate corruption without fear or favouritism. He stated this on Thursday at the Second Edition of The Chronicle Roundtable in Abuja where he said the government has been working to reduce the unemployment rate in the country. The event was focused on examining how Tinubu’s administration’s economic and social agenda will transform Nigeria. “Our promise to wage war against corruption without interference or favouritism is being fulfilled. The ongoing high-profile cases indicate a new era of accountability,” he told the gathering which included the Minister of Information, Mohammed…

The Kaduna State Police Command has apprehended the key figures behind the abduction and tragic demise of students from Greenfield University, as well as the numerous kidnappings plaguing the Abuja-Kaduna highway. Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, who Briefed journalists at the Kaduna Police Command Headquarters, said those arrested included Ibrahim Abdullahi, alias Mande, a notorious terrorist leader implicated in orchestrating and participating in the Greenfield University student kidnappings, alongside many other incidents along the Abuja-Kaduna route. Mr Adejobi disclosed that Mande was nabbed at the Abuja-Kaduna Road flyover near Rido Junction in Chikun Local Government Area, following credible intelligence. He said…

Following the aftermath of the gas explosion which claimed a life in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital last Saturday, the Federal Government has said it would stop granting licences to gas companies with no capacity to build pipelines for gas distribution. This was communicated by the Minister of State For Petroleum Resources ( Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, when he visited Abeokuta for an on-the-spot assessment of Saturday’s CNG explosion at Ita Oshin. According to him, the development became imperative to discourage the transportation of compressed natural gas through the roads. A CNG gas truck owned by Gasco Marine which had suffered…

Popular celebrity bartender and businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, also known as Cubana Chief Priest, is exploring an out-of-court settlement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with respect to the charge of Naira abuse levelled against him by the anti-graft agency at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. His lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, disclosed this to trial judge, Justice Kehinde Ogundare at the proceedings on Thursday. The defence counsel also told the court that parties have applied that the matter be settled pursuant to the provisions of section 14(2) of the EFCC Act. Chikaosolu said that…