Author: Vardiafrica

Barely two days after a fresh round of peace talks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, again appeared in public together. The fresh appearance was this time at a funeral service in Rumueprikom, Wike’s hometown in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The three key political figures have been locked in a political crisis for nearly two years. Their appearance follows Thursday’s peace meeting brokered by President Bola Tinubu, which sought to…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday played host to spouses of African Heads of State attending the 32nd Annual Meeting of the African Export-Import (AFREXIM) Bank in Abuja, in a cultural reception that blended art, fashion, and continental unity. Held at the renowned Nike Art Gallery in Abuja, the Spouses Programme drew a distinguished gathering of visiting First Ladies and senior representatives, including the First Ladies of Malawi and Gabon, the wife of the Vice President of Tanzania, and a representative of Egypt. Welcoming her guests, Senator Tinubu underscored the power of the arts in fostering unity and…

A Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ali Bukar Dalori, has replaced Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the party. This followed the resignation of ex-Kano governor Ganduje as the party chairman on Thursday. “His resignation, which is effective immediately, was offered to enable him attend to urgent and important personal matters,” APC spokesman Felix Morka said in a statement. “In his letter of resignation addressed to the National Working Committee (NWC) through the National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, Ganduje expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, for the opportunity to…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hosted the Gabonese President, Brice Oligui Nguema, at the State House in Abuja. The strategic meeting, held behind closed doors, focused on strengthening diplomatic relations and economic cooperation between the two countries. Speaking to State House correspondents, President Nguema expressed his commitment to strengthening South-South cooperation with Nigeria. He called for deeper economic ties with Nigeria, reflecting Gabon’s strategic vision to leverage regional partnerships and boost sustainable development through foreign direct investment. The Gabonese leader urged Nigerian companies to explore investment opportunities in Gabon’s rich oil and mineral sectors, describing the country as an “oil magnate” with…

A High Court in Nairobi, Kenya, has ruled that the abduction and detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in Kenya and his subsequent rendition to Nigeria in June 2021 were unlawful and illegal. Delivering judgment, Justice E.C. Mwita held that the actions of both the Kenyan and Nigerian governments amounted to gross violations of Kanu’s fundamental human rights as protected by their respective constitutions. The court also awarded Kanu 10 million Kenyan shillings in compensatory damages against the Kenyan government for its role in the unlawful abduction and rendition. Justice E.C. Mwita said, “Having considered the…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has pledged its full support to ensure that world-class safety boots being manufactured by Yikodeen Company Limited are utilised in-country. Yikodeen inaugurated on Tuesday its expanded safety footwear manufacturing plant in Ejigbo, Lagos State, a 120,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility capable of producing 5,000 pairs of safety boots per day. Representing the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, the Director of Capacity Building, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele described the inauguration as a landmark event that aligned with the Board’s core mandate to promote local content across Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain and beyond.…

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt commended Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) for its project-based human capital development programmes, which are in alignment with the objectives of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content (NOGICD) Act, 2010. Speaking at the Nigerian Content-Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) Close-out Ceremony for 23 trainees who recently completed an intensive 12-month capacity building programme, Engr. Ogbe said Heritage Oil is “championing the full implementation of the NOGICD Act in all operations” and that the success recorded thus far marks…

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that Nigerian households earning ₦250,000 or less per month will be exempt from paying taxes under the new tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu. Oyedele, a former tax leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), stated that the new laws aim to stimulate economic activity, track tax evaders, and protect businesses while ensuring the government doesn’t tax poverty. According to Oyedele, the new tax laws are designed to be efficiency-driven, growth-focused, and people-centric. “This tax law will not give you cash in your pocket, but at…

With the words “Al Nassr forever,” Cristiano Ronaldo ended uncertainty about his future, and signed a two-year contract extension with the Saudi Arabian club on Thursday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s latest deal means he will play on until at least the age of 42, and gives him the chance to add to what has already been a record-breaking career. “A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let’s make history together,” Ronaldo said in a social media post along with a picture of him holding up a shirt that said “Ronaldo 2027.” The contract sees Ronaldo extend his time…

The Federal Ministry of Environment says it has established a National Flood Insurance Program that stands as a model of resilience and foresight. Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Mahmud Kambari, stated this at a National Technical Committee Meeting on the development of the National Flood Insurance Policy and Implementation Framework, held in Abuja the nation’s capital. The establishment of a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as encapsulated in the National Erosion and Flood Control Policy (NEFCOP) stands as a cornerstone program that will provide financial resilience by offering a safety net for individuals, businesses, and communities, enabling swift…