Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu on Saturday received James Ibori, the former Delta state governor, at his residence in Lagos state. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning, also paid a visit to the president who is in Lagos for the Eid-el-Kabir festivities. Billionaire industrialist Razak Okoya, his wife, Shade Okoya, and son were also among the visitors hosted by the president. Since his arrival in Lagos on May 27, the president has attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and inaugurated several projects. He is expected to return to the Federal Capital…

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has shared his reflections on the Nigerian Civil War, describing it as the most difficult period of his life. Gowon spoke Saturday in Abuja after he was honoured with a Lifetime Integrity and Achievement Award at the 5th Convention of the Christian Men’s Fellowship, Anglican Diocese of Abuja. Speaking on the 30-month war that lasted from 1967 to 1970, Gowon emphasised that his actions during the conflict were driven by a desire to keep Nigeria united, rather than hatred for any particular group, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. “I always…

A hotel housing over 480 Nigerian pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was engulfed by fire on Saturday, June 7, but all affected pilgrims are confirmed to be safe, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The fire broke out at the Imaratus Sanan Hotel, located in the Sharamansur area of the holy city. The incident occurred around 12 p.m. local time, while most of the pilgrims were away in Mina performing the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual, a key rite of the Hajj pilgrimage. In a statement issued by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of the Information…

US President Donald Trump warned of “very serious consequences” if billionaire Elon Musk finances Democratic candidates against Republicans who support the Republican Party’s broad budget legislation. “He’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview on Saturday, while declining to elaborate about what the consequences would be. The US president noted that he has no interest in mending his relationship with Musk following their recent public fallout, responding with “no” when asked if he hoped to reconcile. “I would assume so, yeah,” said Trump when asked about whether he thought…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Thursday in Yenagoa got the thumbs-up from the Senate Committee on Local Content and a firm assurance that the Senate would provide adequate legislative support to drive the local content development initiatives of the Board. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas who spoke after an oversight visit on the Board facilities and projects sities within Bayelsa State commended the Board for how it has implemented its enabling statute, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010. He said NCDMB has demonstrated the requisite capacity for…

The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has declared that the state is under siege from terrorists and bandits, saying that the recent attacks that have claimed several lives are beyond a herders-farmers clash. There has been a surge in attacks in the North-Central state in recent weeks, with several local government areas experiencing violent onslaughts that have claimed numerous lives. Governor Alia, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, said that the attacks were well-planned and executed by terrorists. “We are under siege,” Alia exclaimed on the programme when asked if he thinks the state is under terror attack.…

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called for a single term of six years for elected political office holders in Nigeria, arguing it would promote better governance by eliminating the distractions that come with re-election campaigns. He made the remark on Friday in Ibadan, shortly after observing the Eid-el-Kabir prayers. A delegation of Muslim faithful and political stakeholders, including his deputy, Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, visited the governor’s residence to celebrate the Islamic festival. Also present were former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman Taofeek Arapaja, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Hamid Gbadamosi,…

President Bola Tinubu and Bill Gates, the American businessman and co-founder, visited the $20 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, according to Femi Otedola, the chairman of First HoldCo. Otedola was also present at the refinery, along with Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, and his long-time business rival, Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group. In a post on his X page on Friday, Otedola described the gathering as historic, saying the refinery is the “eighth wonder of the modern era”. “Today, I witnessed history. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our visionary leader, visited the $20 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, the…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has organized a special Sallah luncheon for the troops assigned to North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which took place at the Giginya Cantonment in Sokoto State. Addressing the troops, Lieutenant General Oluyede assured improved welfare for personnel and their families serving at different formations across the country. The COAS represented by the Commander Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare, Major General Adeleke Ayannuga, commended personnel resilience, and doggedness and assured them that their sacrifices would not go in vain. He emphasised that the security of lives and property in Nigerians was the…

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sent Sallah message to Muslims in the state. This is as the Rivers State governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to stabilising governance and reviving the state’s economy, amid ongoing political challenges and economic strain. In a statement marking the Eid-al-Adha celebration, delivered through his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara called on Muslims in Rivers and beyond to reflect on the values of sacrifice, obedience, and faith. The governor acknowledged the sacrifices made by the people of Rivers State and recognised that many aspirations remain unmet due to political tensions. However, he insisted that progress is…