Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates, out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December. This was confirmed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday. According to the statement, Tinubu confirmed the postings of Ambassador Ayodele Oke as the ambassador-designate to France, and Colonel Lateef Are as the ambassador-designate to the United States of America. Also confirmed by the President is the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom. Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former…

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and restoring security across the country, following a plenary session of the Nigeria – United States Joint Working Group to address the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation of Nigeria, held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on Thursday, in Abuja. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while briefing the press, said the engagement was part of sustained efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security partnerships and deliver tangible results for citizens. “This is the third high-level engagement with senior United States officials since November 2025.…

Oil giant Shell Companies in Nigeria on Thursday announced plans to invest US$20 billion in the Bonga South West oil project. NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari disclosed this while speaking with State House correspondents after President Bola Tinubu received in audience Shell Companies CEO Wael Sawan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The NNPCL boss said the US$20 billion investment would have a ripple effect on the economy, creating jobs and resuscitating moribund fabrication yards. Chief Ojulari said the economic climate established by President Tinubu’s administration had restored investor confidence. He added: “I think what this has shown…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed speculations about a possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying he remains comfortable in the party despite recent political realignments. Makinde made this known after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, where he was asked about reports that some PDP governors and leaders had defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Responding to the question on whether he was considering a move to the APC, the governor said he had no such plans, stressing that his loyalty to the PDP remains intact. “I’m comfortable in the PDP,” Makinde said. “Again, we…

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF), South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, and his entourage, comprising representatives of other security agencies, to the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. Ogbuku described the visit as significant, coming early in the year, and underscoring the importance the NDDC placed on security as a foundation for development. He stated, “Without security, there will be no development. Our roles are intertwined, and we are all working towards the mandate of Mr President. No matter what we have done so…

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, met with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the State House, Abuja. Makinde arrived at the State House moments after Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently said he would not support Tinubu’s re-election, citing concerns about the survival of democracy in the country. Makinde also detailed his rift with Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying the former governor of Rivers had vowed to “hold PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections without consulting other party stakeholders. In the buildup to the 2023 presidential…

The United States has urged the Nigerian government to take stronger and more decisive action to protect Christian communities. This followed the abduction of more than 170 worshippers in Kaduna State, an incident that has once again heightened concerns over religiously motivated violence in Nigeria. The Kaduna State Government and the police initially denied the abduction on Monday, but the police later reversed their position on Wednesday, confirming that the worshippers were indeed taken. The abductors have reportedly demanded the return of 17 motorcycles, valued at ₦28.9 million, which they claim were seized during recent military operations, as a condition…

US President Donald Trump kicked off his new “Board of Peace” at Davos on Thursday, with a signing ceremony for a body with a $1 billion membership fee and a controversial list of invitees. A group of leaders and senior officials from 19 countries, including Trump allies from Argentina and Hungary, gathered on stage with Trump to put their names to the founding charter of the body. Trump, who is the chairman of the Board of Peace, said they were “in most cases very popular leaders, in some cases not so popular. That’s the way it goes in life.” Originally…

The Federal Government has confirmed the payment of N152 billion to contractors for verified contracts, as indigenous contractors resumed protests in Abuja over alleged unpaid debts running into trillions of naira. The confirmation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Federal Ministry of Finance and shared by presidential aide Dada Olusegun on X (formerly Twitter). The development comes as contractors accuse the government of failing to fully settle obligations for completed capital projects, despite repeated assurances and recent budgetary provisions. The Federal Ministry of Finance said the N152 billion payment followed due verification processes in line with existing financial…

The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, has declined to constitute a judicial panel to investigate Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy over alleged gross misconduct, saying he is restrained from doing so by existing court orders. The request to set up a seven-member panel was made by the Rivers State House of Assembly, which commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and asked the chief judge to investigate the allegations. However, in a letter dated January 20, 2026, addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, Justice Amadi said his hands…