Author: Vardiafrica

The Bayelsa State Civil Service Commission has approved a two-day weekly farming period for workers, reducing the number of workdays to three. It directed that the remaining two working days should be used for farming to promote food security in the state. This is according to a circular signed by the Bayelsa State Head of Service Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama. However, the development that followed Governor Douye Diri’s approval only affects civil servants from Grade level 14 and below. Teachers, medical personnel, and other staff on essential services are excluded from the directive The move is expected to become effective from the…

The federal government has ordered the sale of four of the 11 licenced electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country under the management of commercial banks and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), as it begins the process of unbundling the firms to increase efficiency and fix the worrying state of power in the country. The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, made this disclosure while playing host to the Senate Committee on Power, led by its Chairman, Mr Eyinnaya Abaribe, in Abuja on Monday. Mr Adelabu stated that the privatisation of the firms would not be reversed, but…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has served a copy of the charge sheet of alleged fraud to the tune of N84bn against the immediate past governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello on his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohamed. This follows a Tuesday order by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja after Bello’s absence in court. He was absent from court for his arraignment on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering to the tune of ₦84bn. The judge relied on section 384 (4 and 5) of the Administrative and Criminal Justice Act 2015, directing the counsel…

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to serve a copy of the charge against the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohamed. This follows the absence of Bello in court for his arraignment on Tuesday. He was absent from court for his arraignment on a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering to the tune of ₦84bn. The judge relied on section 384 (4 and 5) of the Administrative and Criminal Justice Act 2015, directing the counsel to the immediate past governor,…

President Bola Tinubu will on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 depart Abuja for the Kingdom of the Netherlands on an official visit. The President will also attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement on Monday, said, “On the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, President Tinubu will engage in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister, as well as hold separate meetings with His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom. “The Queen is the United Nations…

The Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgement in a petition filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, against the declaration of Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Governor of the state. Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, announced that the judgement will be delivered within 180 days statutorily allowed by law. The chairman said all the parties in the petition will be communicated as soon as the date is fixed. At Monday’s proceedings, all the parties adopted their written addresses, either asking the court to uphold…

Controversial cross-dresser and socialite, Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has filed a notice of appeal challenging his conviction on a four-count charge of Naira abuse. In his Notice of Appeal filed by his lawyer, Bimbo Kusanu, Bobrisky is asking the court to set aside the six months imprisonment sentence imposed on him and replacing same with the option of a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) on each of the counts against him. On April 12, 2024, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos had sentenced Bobrisky, to six months imprisonment without an option of fine…

Officials of the Federal Competition and Consumer and Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed up an Abuja-based Chinese supermarket situated at the China General Chamber of Commerce. The FCCPC officials shut the supermarket when they stormed the premises on Monday. The commission’s officials sealed up the place after interrogating Nigerian workers at the supermarket. Earlier on Sunday, Nigerians had expressed outrage over a discriminatory policy implemented by the Chinese Supermarket which restricted entry exclusively to its citizens and barred Nigerians. The facility manager of the complex Shaibu Sanusi confirmed that Nigerians from outside the complex do not shop but Nigerians within…

Andy Cole and John Terry have been inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame, joining Ashley Cole who was also voted in earlier this year. The Hall of Fame honours those players and managers that have made huge contributions to the historic success of the top-flight, with 22 figures already inducted. Terry, 43, captained Chelsea to five Premier League titles between 2005 and 2017, making 492 appearances in the division. Former striker Cole is the Premier League’s fourth-highest scorer, with 187 goals to his name, and won the title five times with Manchester United. The pair were voted in…

The Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the Rivers State Local Government Bill into Law, overriding Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto. The House had initially passed the Local Government Bill and sent it to Fubara for approval on March 13, 2024, which was denied. The bill was reintroduced by the Leader of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, Major Jack, (representing Akuku/Toru) constituency 1. A statement made available to newsmen said the bill was thoroughly debated by members. The Amaewhule-led lawmakers also screened and confirmed nominees for the positions of chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission. The confirmed nominees…