Author: Vardiafrica

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday said concerns over the Federal High Court decision that restricted the release of state allocations is “the least” of his problems. Governor Fubara stated during a special thanksgiving service organised by the state government to celebrate his administration’s resilience amid escalating political crises, which began with the arson attack on the State House of Assembly complex exactly one year ago. Governor Fubara assured that despite the court order, his administration would continue payments to contractors and ensure workers’ salaries are disbursed from tomorrow. He also confirmed that allocations for the 23 Council Chairmen…

A Kuje Magistrate Court has granted bail to a House of Representatives member for Aba North and South, Alex Ikwechegh, in the sum of ₦500,000 and two sureties in like sum. In a brief ruling, the Presiding Judge, Abubakar Sai’id, said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of evidence. The charges brought against him include abuse of office, assault, and threat to life. He pleaded not guilty when it was read to him. His counsel, thereafter, made an oral application for bail which was granted by the court. The case has been adjourned to…

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court Abuja has stopped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from further releasing monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government. Justice Abdulmalik held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January this year by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was a breach of the Constitution and an aberration that must not be allowed to continue. The judge held that the presentation of the 2024 budget by Fubara before a four-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision. Justice Abdulmalik specifically said that the governor’s action…

The Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met the committee overseeing the implementation of crude oil and refined products sales in local currency. The committee was led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, to the State House, Abuja for the meeting. In attendance at the meeting were the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Mele Kyari; the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji; and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Yemi Cardoso. Others are the…

Aliko Dangote, the CEO of Dangote Refinery, has addressed the growing fuel scarcity in the country, urging NNPC and other marketers to load fuel from the refinery. Speaking at the State House on Tuesday, Dangote stated that the refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has sufficient petrol available, but marketers have not been picking up the product. He emphasized that, as a producer, the refinery is not responsible for the scarcity, as it does not handle fuel distribution. The business mogul also noted that the longer the petrol remains in the refinery’s storage, the more financial losses…

American President Joe Biden has pledged his support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria’s pursuit of a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Biden highlighted Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and its significant contributions to global peacekeeping efforts as key factors in backing this initiative. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, made this known while briefing State House Correspondents on President Biden’s call to the Nigerian Leader on Tuesday at 4pm. Tuggar stated that both leaders spoke for about 30 minutes on issues of mutual interest to both countries. The Minister further made known that President…

Nigerians, particularly commuters and motorists, continue to struggle as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) filling stations have once again raised petrol prices in Lagos and Abuja. This marks the third price hike in less than two months, with prices in Lagos rising from N998 to N1,025 per litre and in Abuja from N1,030 to N1,050 per litre. In Lagos, NNPC retail outlets at Ikeja, Egbeda, Cement, and Dopemu now sell PMS for N1,025 per litre, Nairametrics can confirm. Similarly, in Abuja, filling stations in Wuse, Kuje, Airport Road, and other areas are now dispensing petrol at N1,050 per litre.…

President Joe Biden has called to thank President Bola Tinubu for the release of an executive of Binance Holdings Tigran Gambaryan who was on trial in Nigeria for alleged money laundering and currency speculations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar told journalists at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday that the two leaders also discussed areas of partnership and cooperation including the issue of security in Africa and in particular, West Africa. Tuggar gave details of the thirty-minute phone call President Tinubu received from Biden. “The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and President Biden preceded to thank President Tinubu…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is gearing up to launch new Contracting Cycle Guidelines for the oil and gas industry in compliance with the Presidential Directives on Local Content announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2024 to accelerate oil and gas contract timelines, incentivize investments in the sector and increase Nigeria’s crude oil production The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe announced this at the two-day Contracting Cycle Guidelines Sensitization Workshop organized in Lagos by the Project Certification and Authorization Directorate (PCAD) of the Board for international and indigenous operating oil and…

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the 2025 Armed Forces of Nigeria remembrance day emblem and appeal fund. Presiding over the launch of the emblem at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu thanked the Armed Forces for their role as the first line of defence in protecting the country. He also commended them for the recent successes recorded in fighting all threats to National security. The Nigerian leader insisted “it will be impossible to promote peace and development without security,” hence he commended the patriotic commitment of the Armed Forces to Nigeria’s unity, stability and progress. In appreciation of…