Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of four new members to the Governing Council of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), filling existing vacancies and strengthening the board’s capacity. The approved nominees are Mr. Olusegun Omosehin of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and Engr. Wole Ogunsanya of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN). President Tinubu also endorsed the nomination of Mazi Sam Azoka Onyechi, who represents the Nigerian Content Consultative Forum (NCCF), and Barrister Owei Oyanbo from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. The nominations arose from the exit of previous institutional representatives from the Governing Council.…

European Union citizens should stockpile enough food and other essential supplies to sustain them for at least 72 hours in the event of a crisis, the EU Commission has said.In new guidance released Wednesday, March 26, the commission stressed the need for Europe to shift its mindset, to foster a culture of “preparedness” and “resilience.”The 18-page document warns that Europe is facing a new reality marred with risk and uncertainty, citing Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and electronic warfare as prominent factors.The initiative appears to serve as a wake-up call for member states…

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, received the immediate past chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state. Fubara received them at his private residence in Port Harcourt. The former chairmen paid a solidarity visit to express their unwavering support for Governor Fubara and the mantra of his administration, “Rivers First”. Leading the delegation was Prince Ezebunwo Ichemati, former chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria, ALGON, Rivers State Chapter, and former Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council. The 23 former chairmen reaffirmed their loyalty and dedication to the governor’s…

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, says it will impound any articulated vehicle seen carrying animals with passengers in the state. The state FRSC Sector Commander, Dr Samuel Ibitoye, made this known to newsmen after a meeting with members of the Ondo state House of Assembly on Wednesday in Akure. He said that all anomalies associated with articulated vehicles in the state would be addressed for road safety. He said that advocacy with enforcement agents on the activities of drivers of articulated vehicles were ongoing in the command. “Enforcement is ongoing to address ‘mixed loading’ which is…

The Sole Administrator, imposed by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has suspended all political officeholders in the state. The directive applies to the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, all commissioners, chairmen, and members of boards, agencies, commissions, institutions, and parastatals. Also affected are all special advisers, special assistants, and senior special assistants. This was stated in a statement released by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator on Wednesday, ordering the affected officials to hand over their responsibilities to the highest-ranking civil servants in their respective ministries, departments, and…

The Senate passed a bill on Wednesday, March 26, that mandates the compulsory registration of citizens, aiming to overhaul Nigeria’s identity management system. This move follows the repeal and reenactment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act. The passage came after the Committee on National Identity Card and Population, chaired by Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central, submitted and considered a report on the matter. Umeh explained that the legislation seeks to establish a harmonized, cost-effective identity system that aligns with global best practices. The bill also aims to enhance data accuracy, promote inclusion, and close gaps in Nigeria’s…

Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, was on Wednesday sworn in as the country’s president for a transition period of five years under a new charter that replaces the West African nation’s constitution. The move effectively rebuffed attempts by regional bloc ECOWAS to quicken the return to democracy after a 2023 coup. The five-year “flexible” transition period begins on Wednesday, according to Mahamane Roufai, the secretary general of the government. He was speaking at a ceremony in the capital Niamey where the new transition charter recommended by a recent national conference was approved. Tiani, an army veteran, was also elevated to the country’s highest military rank…

President Bola Tinubu has assented to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025. Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, made this known in a statement, noting that the legislations reflect Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse. “By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence. “Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East…

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) in the 23 local government areas to submit reports detailing the activities of their councils over the past two years.  The directive, which has reportedly unsettled the HLGAs, was issued through a letter from Dame Dr. Itong Awani, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs.  “His Excellency, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has directed that all Heads of Local Government Administration should submit the report of their councils to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs,”…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially accepted a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after the petitioners provided the required contact details and address. This comes a day after INEC initially rejected the petition, citing the absence of verifiable contact information. In a statement released on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the electoral body confirmed that the petitioners had addressed the deficiencies by submitting their contact address, phone numbers, and email addresses in a formal letter to the Commission’s chairman. INEC has now moved to the next phase, where it will scrutinize the submitted signatures to verify…