Author: Vardiafrica

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has conducted a public auction of forfeited houses acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking or used as instrumentality of committing the crime. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise, which took place in Abuja, had pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil society organisations and the media as well as other government agencies in attendance. Speaking at the occasion, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, said that the agency would continue to combine incarceration with asset forfeiture. Marwa, represented by the NDLEA Secretary, Mr Shedrack Haruna, said it would also…

Nurses under the aegis of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) have commenced a seven-day warning strike today, despite appeals by the Federal Government. The union said the action, which began at midnight, became necessary following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued on 14 July, 2025, demanding improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions for nurses across federal health institutions. National Chairman of NANNM-FHI, Morakinyo Rilwan, on Tuesday, stated that the Federal Government failed to engage meaningfully with the association during the window provided. “As far as we are concerned,…

YouTube will be included in Australia’s world-first social media ban for children under 16, after the government ditched a previous exemption for the platform. The video sharing site was set to be excluded from the ban – which will limit TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Snapchat and is due to start in December. Under the ban, teenagers will still be able to view YouTube videos but will not be permitted to have an account, which is required for uploading content or interacting on the platform. YouTube – owned by Google – had argued it shouldn’t be blocked for children as…

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Nigerian workers who were stranded in the Central African Republic (CAR) have been rescued. The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, announced this in a statement released on Tuesday, July 29. A video of the workers trended last week, in which the workers accused their Chinese boss of seizing their passports and keeping them in the Bambari region of the country which is about 850 kilometres from the country’s capital, Bangui. In the statement released, the Ministry said the workers have been located and recued and will be repatriated to Nigeria as soon as…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has withdrawn the proposed Indigeneship Bill from the National Assembly, citing the need for broader consultations and legislative engagements. In a statement issued Tuesday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu said the decision followed “constructive feedback received from various stakeholders” as well as a critical analysis by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). “Though the Bill seeks to achieve some commendable objectives, however, this can be achieved through enactment of law. If this Bill is passed, it would pose challenges with time, especially on…

President Bola Tinubu has directed that 200 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) honorees be offered immediate employment into the federal civil service.  The President also announced on Tuesday, July 29, a cash reward of ₦250, 000 for the 200 honorees in recognition of their outstanding service during the 2020–2023 service years.  Tinubu further directed that 10 physically challenged former corps members, who sustained varying degrees of disability while serving, should be offered federal employment as he assured them that the government will never forget their sacrifice.  The President represented by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha,…

The Senate Tuesday through its Committee on Public Accounts, gave the Nigerian National Petroleum Company ( NNPCL), three weeks to respond to queries raised against it in the audit reports of 2017 to 2023, alleging unaccountability of N210trillion .This is as the committee chaired by Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu ( Nasarawa West) , insisted that the amount in question , was neither stolen or missing but yet to be accounted for. The three weeks window for explanations was given to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL , Engineer Bayo Ojulari after accepting his apology for past failed appearances before…

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced plans to delist over 100,000 dormant companies from Nigeria’s official register, citing prolonged inactivity and failure to comply with statutory obligations outlined in the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. The regulatory crackdown forms part of CAC’s broader initiative to clean up the national corporate database, promote accountability in business operations, and align Nigeria’s compliance framework with global anti-money laundering and corporate transparency standards. In a public notice released this week, the Commission revealed that the targeted companies have either been inactive for 10 years or more, failed to file annual returns,…

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy has announced a partnership with The Fashion Academy, Abuja, to launch a designer training programme under the Creative Leap Acceleration Program (CLAP). The initiative, unveiled on Monday, is aimed at empowering emerging designers, tailors, and creative entrepreneurs with technical and business skills to thrive in Nigeria’s expanding fashion industry. According to the ministry, the programme will provide training in two major areas: Pattern Making & Professional Sewing Techniques, and Fashion Business & Branding. Participants will receive hands-on training, mentorship, and business development support designed to help them grow their…

Appeal Court Rules FRSC Lacks Power To Seize Drivers’ Licences, Vehicles Without Legal Grounds, Awards N10Million To Nigerian Motorist In Appeal No: CA/OW/199/2022, between the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Corps Marshal, and an FRSC officer identified by Uniform No. COSS 35 (1st to 3rd Appellants) and Mr. Shebbs Emmanuel Ugochukwu (Respondent), the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s ruling that the seizure of a driver’s licence, vehicle, or related documents without lawful justification constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights. The Imo State Division of the Nigerian Court of Appeal in Owerri has ruled in favour of…