Author: Vardiafrica

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has been formally registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after receiving his party membership card at Government House, Port Harcourt. The Rivers State APC Chairman, Tony Okocha, who represented the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, presented the card to Fubara on Friday. Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara said his decision to join the APC was aimed at promoting unity and development in Rivers State. Fubara said aligning with the ruling party at the federal level became necessary to ensure political stability and accelerate development across the state. He noted that…

As the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract new oil and gas investments, spur speedy development of fields and ensure reduction in the cost of production, Marconi.NG EPC Limited (Marconi), positioning itself as one the leading oil and gas service companies in West Africa, has pledged cost competitive and speedy delivery of projects and opportunities. The company made the commitment on Wednesday when officials of the Corporate Communications Division of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) led select journalists on a tour of some Port Harcourt-based oil and gas companies. Marconi, which is a wholly Nigerian entity acquired the assets of Saipem Contracting Nigeria’s Rumuolumeni Yard in May 2025. Speaking…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has proposed a university system that prioritises problem-solving and de-emphasises awarding degrees. Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd Convocation Lecture of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Ogbuku wondered how our universities had become more degree-awarding than problem-solving institutions. He spoke on the theme: “From Degree-Awarding to Problem-Solving Institutions: Retooling University Education for Nation-Building.” The NDDC Chief Executive Officer affirmed that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Ogbuku lamented: “We have built an academic culture where promotion is…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has confirmed an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline, triggering emergency response efforts across affected communities in Delta State. The incident, which occurred on December 10, 2025, was reported around 17:50 hours near Tebijor, Okpele and Ikpopo communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom. In an official statement, the company said, “NNPC Limited confirms an incident involving an explosion reported at about 17:50 hours on 10th December 2025 near Tebijor, Okpele, and Ikpopo communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.” The statement was signed by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Abuja, on Thursday. Preliminary checks by…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to strengthen and expand the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project to create over 38,250 new entrepreneurs and boost participation across key agricultural value chains. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during a one-day workshop on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation at the Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. The workshop, hosted by the LIFE-ND project, focused on the theme: “Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation.” Ogbuku, who was represented by the Acting Director of the NDDC Liaison Office…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide protest for December 17 over the “degenerating security situation” across the country. In a notice issued to all state councils on December 10, after its national executive committee (NEC)-in-session meeting on December 4, the labour group condemned the rampant activities of bandits and kidnappers across the country. The group singled out the November 17 abduction of female students from a boarding school in Kebbi state. The NLC expressed outrage over the withdrawal of security personnel from the school shortly before the incident, describing it as a “dastardly and criminal” act that demands…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated criminal proceedings against former Labour and Productivity Minister Chris Ngige. According to a charge sighted by Channels Television, Ngige is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday at the FCT High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja. The document, dated October 31 and filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sylvanus Tahir alongside five other lawyers on behalf of the EFCC, details allegations that the former minister used his position to confer undue advantage on associates through the award of multiple contracts. In count one, the EFCC alleges that between September 2015 and May 2023, while serving…

The Rivers state house of assembly has accused Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of the state, of unapproved spending. Martin Amaewhule, speaker of the assembly, spoke on Thursday during a press conference attended by the state lawmakers. “From September, when we met the governor, till this day, the governor has been spending without our approval, awarding contracts to his cronies, particularly those who masterminded the burning of the Rivers house of assembly,” Amaewhule said. “The governor does not seek the approval of the assembly to spend.” ‘FUBARA LIED ABOUT WIKE NOT FIXING PEACE MEETING’ On Wednesday, Fubara said there is no lingering dispute between him and…

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, died on Thursday after collapsing in his office. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who confirmed the death in a in a press release on Thursday, described the development as a shocking and painful loss. According to a statement signed by Comrade Ini Ememobong, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, the party said the news threw its National Working Committee, led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, into deep grief, along with members across the country, particularly in Bayelsa State. The statement stressed that Senator Ewhrudjakpo was known for honesty, consistency, and…

Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, yesterday, unveiled plans to pay shareholders in US dollars when the company’s $20 billion oil refinery lists on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) next year. Speaking in Lagos, Dangote said investors will purchase shares in naira but receive dividends in dollars, a model designed to shield Nigerian shareholders from the country’s currency volatility. “You buy in naira, but you get dividends in dollars,” he said, describing a framework being developed in collaboration with the NGX and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The dollar payouts would be funded by $6.4 billion in expected revenue…