Author: Vardiafrica

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari, has categorically denied that the oil company owned a blending plant in Malta. The refuttal came in response to claims made by businessman Aliko Dangote that NNPCL officials were operating an oil facility on the Mediterranean Island. Dangote, while addressing the leadership of the House of Representatives on July 22, claimed that apart from NNPC personnel, oil traders and terminals have established a blending plant in Malta. An oil blending plant, unlike a refinery, blends re-refined oil with additives to produce finished lubricant…

The National Assembly on Tuesday passed the Police Act Amendment Bill to enable a person appointed to the office of Inspector General of Police (IGP) to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment. President Bola Tinubu forwarded the Bill to the House of Representatives and Senate on Tuesday to amend the tenure of the IGP. The Bill for an Act to amend the Nigeria Police Act 2020 sought to guarantee the tenure of the IGP and revolutionise police operations by enhancing accountability, modernising policing methods and fostering a more harmonious relationship between…

Fifty-eight of the 164 member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) members have voiced support for a proposal from the African Group backing incumbent Director General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to serve a second term. The 58 member countries of the trade association made this known at a July 22 meeting of the WTO General Council, according to a statement by the world trade body. “The African Group requests that the current Director-General make herself available to serve a second term, and has proposed that the process of reappointing the Director-General should be started as soon as possible,” the statement partly…

The Court of Appeal Abuja, has declined to nullify the primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the impending governorship election in Edo State. In a unanimous decision by a three-man panel, the appellate court dismissed an appeal that was filed by the embattled Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu. While dismissing the appeal l for lacking in merit, the court said it found no reason to set aside the May 27 judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which refused to invalidate the governorship primary election the PDP conducted…

Dangote and Nigeria’s regulatory authorities have been in dispute in recent weeks over the refinery located in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State. It reached a new high when the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said the government was yet to license the refinery for the commencement of operations. But as part of moves to resolve the issues, Lokpobiri and other players in the oil and gas sector met with Dangote on Monday. In a statement by the Special Adviser Media and Communication to the minister Nneamaka Okafor, those who attended the meeting include the Authority Chief…

Kimberly Cheatle, director of the US Secret Service, says the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump was the agency’s “most significant operational failure” in decades. Cheatle spoke during a congressional hearing on Monday, adding that she takes full responsibility for the agency’s oversight. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had identified the gunman who opened fire on Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks. One audience member was killed, and three people, including Trump, were injured James Comer, the oversight committee chairman, said the assassination attempt questioned Cheatle’s competence and asked her to resign.…

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) says it has commenced investigation over an incident involving a Max Air plane in which its four tyres burst before takeoff.  In a statement on Sunday, signed by Bimbo Oladeji, NSIB’s director, public affairs and consumer protection, the bureau said the aircraft, departing from Yola airport to Abuja, aborted takeoff on the runway. “This evening, Max Air’s flight NGL1649, a Boeing 737 with registration 5N-ADB, carrying 119 passengers and 6 crew members, was cleared for takeoff from Yola Airport en route to Abuja,” the statement reads. “During the takeoff roll, a loud bang was heard, identified…

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, says he is willing to sell his oil refinery to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited. Aliko spoke in an interview with Premium Times on Sunday. The billionaire’s statement comes amid a dispute between the refinery and Nigeria’s regulatory authorities in Nigeria. “Let them (NNPCL) buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labelled me a monopolist,” Dangote said. “That’s an incorrect and unfair allegation, but it’s okay. If they buy me out, at least, their so-called monopolist would be out of the way. “We have been facing fuel crisis…

Frantic bids by drug syndicates to smuggle in and out of Nigeria consignments of Cocaine and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis concealed in incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves and ladies’ native wears through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, and some courier firms in Lagos have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, following the seizure of the illicit shipments and arrests of suspects linked to them. A businessman, Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu was on Thursday 18th July 2024 arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos residence after a consignment of 40 parcels of…

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday reeled out the achievements of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to African leaders. He spoke in Accra, the Ghanaian capital on Sunday while presenting the achievements of ECOWAS in the past year at the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU), according to a statement from his spokesman Ajuri Ngelale. “We supported six member states in ratifying the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, and thirteen Member States have ratified the AFCFTA agreement,” the statement quoted Tinubu who is the regional bloc’s chairman. “The ECOWAS interconnected System for the Management of Goods…