Author: Vardiafrica

The Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Alabo Boma Iyaye, has received the Heart of Gold Award from a Non-Governmental Organisation, the Eve Afrique Empowerment Initiative. Receiving the Eve Afrique Redball Award, meant to celebrate outstanding Niger-Delta indigenes who have contributed to the development of the Niger Delta region, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Hon. Iyaye expressed delight at being among the distinguished individuals who were found worthy of the honour. He said: “I am deeply honoured to be one of the recipients of the Heart of Gold Award. I am humbled…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated its Elective National Convention Zoning Committee ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The 44-member committee, made up of 37 state representatives and 6 members from the party’s Board of Trustees, is chaired by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, with Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, serving as Secretary. Speaking during the inauguration at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, described the committee as the “engine room” for laying the political foundation of the party’s leadership for the…

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has applauded the economic reforms of the Tinubu-led administration, affirming that the measures are progressing in the right direction. Okonjo-Iweala stated this on Thursday to State House Correspondents, while speaking on her meeting with the President at his residence, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Noting that the President and his team had worked hard to stabilise the Nigerian economy, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Okonjo-Iweala, commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the stability, she emphasised that the president rightfully deserves credit for the notable achievements. “So we think that the President and…

Bitcoin surged to an all-time high of $124,000 on Thursday, August 14 fueled by growing demand from U.S. retirement accounts, institutional investors, and treasury firms. The move coincided with a rally in American stocks, reflecting heightened global risk appetite. The world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value rose 0.9% from its July peak, while Ethereum hit $4,700 — its highest level since late 2021. Bitcoin is now trading near $121,500, having broken decisively above the $120K mark after a strong rally from $116K. Analysts say the breakout signals strong momentum, supported by President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto policies, increased certainty of Federal…

The defence headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims that Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, has surrendered to the military. Markus Kangye, director of defence media operations, spoke on the development on Thursday in Abuja, while providing updates on the activities of the armed forces. “Simple answer to the question about terrorist leader, Bello Turji… Turji has not surrendered. We are still on the look out for him,” Kangye said. Turji, who operates largely in Zamfara and Sokoto states, has been linked to several deadly raids on communities in the north-west. He also reportedly operates a strict, deadly tax regime in…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has urged youths of the region to explore opportunities in advanced technology, emphasising the role of technology in human capital development. Speaking during the 2025 International Youth Day in Akure, Ondo State, the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, noted that the event, with the theme: “Youth Advancing Multilateral Corporation through Technology and Partnership.”, was timely and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He stated: “Advancements in Information Technology, particularly in novel areas like Artificial Intelligence, have paved the way for multiple career paths and cross-sector collaborations.…

Oil and gas service providers across Africa have formed a continental forum known as the African Local Content Organisation (ALCO), with the goal of collaborating among themselves to deliver complex projects, creating and retaining value in the multibillion dollar African energy sector and growing the economy. The organisation was unveiled on Wednesday, Day 2 of the 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, at Windhoek, Namibia. Membership is open to national associations of service providers in the oil and gas and mining sectors across the African continent. Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and member of NCDMB Governing…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has charged youths in the Niger Delta region to leverage modern technology to foster collaborations and partnerships that will boost their human capacity development. Ogbuku stated this at the 2025 International Youth Day celebration organised by the NDDC in collaboration with Ganvic Empowerment Initiative in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State. He explained that the programme was focused on collaboration and partnership for youth development. “We are in the age of technology and AI is taking over the place and therefore, we are using this platform to encourage the youth…

The U.S approved the sale of $346 million worth of munitions, bombs, and precision rockets to Nigeria to help its West African ally combat a surge in terrorist violence. The deal will support the foreign policy goals of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa, the U.S State Department said in a press release, Wednesday. The Nigerian government requested a long list of weapons, according to the statement, including more than a thousand MK-82 500 lb bombs – a weapon which was most recently used by the Israeli military to bomb civilians in…

Russia announced curbs on calls on the WhatsApp and Telegram messenger apps on Wednesday, saying that this was necessary to fight criminality, state media reported. “In order to combat criminals, measures are being taken to partially restrict calls on these foreign messaging apps (WhatsApp and Telegram),” communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said, as quoted by the RIA and TASS news agencies. The messenger apps have become “the main voice services used for fraud and extortion, and for involving Russian citizens in subversive and terrorist activities,” the watchdog added. Russian security services have frequently claimed that Ukraine was using Telegram to recruit people…