Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking through evidence-based, innovative interventions. ​The president noted that the consequences of the drug scourge extended far beyond individual users, severely disrupting families, schools, workplaces and overall national security. According to him, government is confronting these challenges through a well-coordinated, multi-faceted approach. His words: “My administration remains committed to creating an environment in which young Nigerians can thrive and succeed. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are expanding access to education, promoting skills development, supporting entrepreneurship, creating…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Thursday directed banks and all financial institutions to freeze transactions, accounts, and assets linked to six individuals and four Bureau De Change (BDC) operators designated for terrorism financing. The directive was contained in a circular dated June 24, 2026 (Ref: CMD/FCS/PUB/CIR/002/011), obtained by Channels Television. According to the apex bank, the latest update to the Nigeria Sanctions List, effective June 18, 2026, is binding on all regulated institutions and requires immediate implementation. The CBN informed regulated entities of fresh sanctions issued by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) and the United States Department of the…

South Africa secured a place in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history after edging South Korea 1-0 in their final Group A fixture. A second-half strike from Thapelo Maseko proved decisive at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, as Bafana Bafana clinched second place in the group and booked a historic place in the Round of 32. The result marked a remarkable turnaround for Hugo Broos’ side, who began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico. South Africa responded by collecting the points needed to keep their World Cup dream alive and…

A fresh wave of relief and homecoming unfolded at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday night as another batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa arrived on home soil, marking the latest phase of a government-backed repatriation effort aimed at bringing stranded citizens back safely. A statement by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) on Thursday noted that they arrived at about 8:50 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 The Commission described the evacuation exercise, approved by President Bola Tinubu, as part of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerian citizens abroad. The first…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), has commenced a 12-month Human Capacity Development (HCD) programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with critical competencies required to support supply base operations within the oil and gas industry. The programme, which kicked off on Tuesday, at the LADOL free zone, Apapa, Lagos, will train 12 beneficiaries through a structured combination of classroom learning and practical industry exposure in specialised areas that support logistics, trade, procurement, and supply chain operations. Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive…

The flag-off ceremony for the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), TotalEnergies, and PIDWAL Nigerian Content Human Capital Development (NC-HCD) project for provision of drillship for the multibillion-dollar Egina Project took place in Port Harcourt on Tuesday with 34 maritime cadets set for 12 months of training in seafaring. The training, to be provided by Stoilic Group, a leading indigenous maritime, energy, oil and gas solutions provider, covers sea time and certificate of competency (COC). Sea time is for graduates needing practical onboard exposure before advancing their maritime career. It involves pre-embarkation training and 12-month placement on board ocean-going…

Facebook is relaunching Creator Studio as a standalone AI-powered companion app designed to help creators grow on the platform, the company announced on Wednesday. The tech giant is unveiling the Creator Studio while simultaneously redesigning its in-app creator tools and splitting its Professional Dashboard into two distinct products for creators and businesses. It described the new Creator Studio as an AI-first experience that personalises strategy, surfaces daily priorities, and helps creators manage community engagement, all from a dedicated space separate from the main Facebook app. Facebook said it is currently working with a small community of creators to build and…

The leadership of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the NLNG Ltd have reaffirmed recommitment to deepen the existing close collaboration between the agencies, towards enhancing in-country value addition from operations of the gas processing and marketing company, for the benefit of the Nigerian economy. This renewed commitment was made on Wednesday when the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Engr. Adeleye Falade paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe at the Board’s liaison office in Lagos. Speaking during the visit, Falade said the company remains focused on deepening…

The Senate on Wednesday passed the bill seeking to establish state police in Nigeria. The upper chamber approved the bill after considering the report of its Committee on the Review of the Constitution, presented by Barau Jibrin, its chairman. The bill’s clauses were considered at the Committee of the Whole before its final passage. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the passage of the bill after more than two-thirds of the senators voted in support via a manual voting process in which they raised their hands. The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, led the debate on the bill before lawmakers proceeded…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is set to commence the issuance of the Nigerian Content Trainers Registration Certificate (NCTRC), as part of its commitment to strengthening local competencies and promoting professional standards within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday during a sensitization workshop held with members of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN) in Lagos. Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Infrastructure and Capacity Building Directorate, Barr Sheba Olugbenga, said the NCTRC was developed to establish a…