Author: Vardiafrica

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, shamed many people by completing the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) petroleum refinery. Akpabio, who spoke on Saturday during a tour of the facility, described the refiner as the ninth wonder of the world. The senate president said the refinery is highly commendable, adding that Dangote deserved all the accolades for the feat. Akpabio condemned those who were sceptical of the completion of the refinery, describing them as “dream killers”. He said detractors of the refinery had all been silenced and previous governments had been put to shame with…

The 36 state governors who make up the Nigeria Governors’ Forum have said that the N60,000 minimum wage proposal by the Federal Government is not sustainable and cannot fly. A statement by the Acting Director, Media Affairs and Public Relations of the Forum, Mrs Halima Ahmed, noted that if allowed to fly, many states will use all their monthly allocations from the federation account to pay workers’ salaries. The governors appealed to members of the tripartite committee to agree on a minimum wage that would be fair and sustainable. READ ALSO: Tripartite Committee On New Minimum Wage Meets In Abuja “The…

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano and presided by Justice Simon Amobeda, on Friday, reserved judgement in the fundamental human rights suit filed by the dethroned 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, following a heated argument between the prosecution counsel and defendant counsel during the hearing. Counsel to second respondent, Mahmood Magaji, told the court that he filed a preliminary objection dated May 30th and filed May 31st on four grounds bordering around his fundamental rights and the repealed Kano Emirate law. “We filed our 21 paragraph counter affidavit deposed by Abdullahi Garko and written address dated May…

The Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has commended the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Nedogas Development Company Limited for initiating and successfully executing the 300 million standard cubic feet (MMscf) Kwale Gas Gathering (KGG) Facility and Nedogas Plant in Umusam community, Delta State. Speaking at the formal commissioning of the two projects on Thursday, the Minister said the outcome of the strategic collaboration between the two companies represents “a significant advancement in the country’s efforts to promote sustainability, energy efficiency, and economic expansion.” According to him, “The NCDMB and Nedogas…

 Key officials of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) on Monday began a working visit to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), stating that they were here to learn and that their country stands to gain substantially from Nigeria’s experience in local content development. Welcoming the four-member UNOC delegation at a meeting at the Nigerian Content Tower, Corporate Headquarters of the NCDMB, Swali, Yenagoa, the Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Alhaji Abdulmalik Halilu, said the visit would open up new vistas for mutually beneficial collaboration in oil and gas operations between Nigeria and Uganda. Citing statistics indicative of the resource base…

The tripartite committee meeting for a new national minimum wage is underway.  The meeting, which is the fifth since the suspension of the industrial action by organised labour, is holding behind closed doors at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja. Some prominent members of the committee are in attendance including the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF); the Minister of Labour and Employment (State) Nkiruka Onyejeocha, the Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodimma; a representative of the Salaries, Income and Wages Commission; the Minister of Finance Wale Edun as well as the Minister of Budget and National Planning…

The Nigeria Police Force has warned traffic violators against abducting security operatives who enforce traffic laws while carrying out their legitimate duties Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued the warning on Friday in a video posted on the Force’s official X account. “Don’t abduct our officers. Don’t take them away. Follow them wherever they are taking you—most especially their bases, units, and offices,” he said, adding that under no circumstances should such be the norm. He decried a trending situation whereby drivers would rather fight, or drive off law enforcement agents who contravene their vehicles, stressing that they are in great…

The legal team for the embattled leader of the Independent People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has issued a stern warning to the public, organisations, media houses and government, to stop referring to the group as a terrorist organisation In a statement signed on his behalf by Aloy Ejimakor, Esq., on Friday, explained that the team was under firm instructions from Kanu, to issue the final warning to all persons and institutions still referring to IPOB as a terrorist organisation. The team threatened to sue anyone found contravening the court order. “Henceforth, any further reference to IPOB as a terrorist…

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said that the Abuja-Kaduna train derailed because vandals removed the track fastening clips. Yakub Mahmood, Deputy Director of Public Relations at NRC who disclosed this on Thursday, June 6, said the affected passengers still have their tickets valid for a subsequent journey within two weeks. He said; “This minor hitch is attributed to the removal of track fastening clips by vandals. However, the NRC Management remains resolute towards ensuring the safety of our valued passengers in the entire system. “For operational reasons, the first train from Kaduna (Rigasa) scheduled for 08.00 hours will be…

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has asked members of the Organised Labour to be more circumspect in their demands over national minimum wage and the restoration of old electricity tariff. Addressing the National Executive Council of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, Akume said the shutdown of the National Grid by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) amounted to treasonable felony. The SGF, who reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to improve the welfare of Nigerians, lamented the loss of revenue by the Federal…