Author: Vardiafrica

The Lagos State Coroner on Monday delivered its ver­dict in the case of deceased student of Dowen College, Sylvester Oromoni, saying he died of negligence from his parents and the doctor attending to him. Magistrate Mikail Kadi­ri in his verdict on Monday said Oromoni, 12, died of natural cause, but said his death was avoidable. He said the death of the boy could have been avoidable if not for the negligence of the parents and the medical team who attended to him. According to him, Oro­moni died from sepsis caused by an ankle injury, leading to an infection of the…

Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.20 percent in Mach 2024 — up from 31.70 percent in February. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its consumer price index (CPI) report, which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services, on Monday. According to the bureau, food inflation also surged to 40.01 percent in the month under review. NBS said the March headline inflation rate showed an increase of “1.50% points when compared to the February 2024 headline inflation rate”. “On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.16% points higher compared to the rate recorded in March…

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has fully restored the national grid. The national electricity grid, centrally managed from Osogbo, Osun state, suffered a total system collapse for the third time in 2024 at 2.41am on April 15. According to a statement on Monday by Ndidi Mbah, TCN’s spokesperson, the collapse followed a fire incident at the Afam power generating station, which caused a partial disruption to the nation’s grid. “At 02:41Hrs today, 15th April 2024, a fire erupted at the Afam V 330kV bus bar coupler, leading to the tripping of units at Afam III and Afam VI. This…

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has described Peter Odili, ex-governor of the state, as someone with integrity. On April 11, Odili publicly announced his support for Fubara and declared the governor as the political leader of the state. “Our people said I should tell you to stand with the president and align with his positive policies and link the people of Rivers state with the centre,” Odili said. “They have asked me to tell you that you are the political leader of Rivers state. Rivers people say where you go, they will go with you In his speech at the inauguration of…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is investigating several celebrities suspected of involvement in Naira abuse. This is according to a statement released by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Sunday. Oyewale disclosed that the commission has summoned several celebrities for questioning, and they have provided valuable information during the interrogation process The EFCC emphasized its awareness of viral videos circulating online, depicting individuals engaging in acts of naira abuse. The anti-graft agency commended the public for their vigilance in protecting the sanctity of the national currency, signaling a collective effort in combating financial misconduct. “On the issue…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is probing intricate web of fraudulent practices in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. “At the outset of investigations, past and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were invited by the Commission and investigations into the alleged fraud involving them have yielded the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000 so far,” EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement on Sunday. “Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving Covid-19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot released to the Ministry by the Federal…

Exactly 10 years after the abduction of 276 students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State, former abductees, parents and relatives gathered at the multipurpose hall of the school on Sunday to pray for the safe return of 92 uncounted girls. At the inter-faith service of prayers, speakers expressed mixed reactions following the turnout of events since 2014, central among the comments being a demand for explanation on why the remaining girls were yet to be rescued while others have regained freedom. Chibok, located in the southern part of Borno State, is about 125km from the capital, Maiduguri…

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) confirmed the development to Channels Television on Sunday. The new wage of N615,000 monthly was reached after consultations between the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The labour unions said the current minimum wage of N30,000 can no longer cater for the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which will expire by April, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act is to be reviewed every five years to meet up with…

Israel Sunday struck a Hezbollah site in Lebanon’s east near the Syrian border, the Israeli army and a source from the Iran-backed group said, as tensions soared after Iran directly attacked Israel. The Hezbollah source told AFP that “the Israeli strike targeted an area… near Baalbek and targeted a two-storey building belonging to Hezbollah,” adding there were no casualties. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that “an enemy air strike targeted a building” in the village of Nabi Sheet and “destroyed it”. An AFP photographer at the site saw the concrete and steel wreckage of the building, levelled in the…

The United States does not want to see an escalation of the crisis in the Middle East, a top White House official said Sunday after Israel repelled a massive missile and drone attack from Iran. “We don’t want to see this escalate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on NBC’s “Meet the Press”. “We’re not looking for a wider war with Iran.” Israel was on high alert Sunday after Iran’s unprecedented attack sparked fears of a broader conflict. Iran launched its first-ever direct assault on Israeli territory late Saturday in retaliation for a deadly strike by Israeli…