Author: Vardiafrica

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has condoled with the government and people of Niger State over the death of 37 artisanal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The Vice President visited Minna to commiserate with Governor Umaru Bago, traditional rulers and families of the deceased over the tragic incident. Speaking during the visit, Vice President Shettima described the deaths as painful tragedy and a matter of serious concern to the Nigerian Government. He said the incident must not be politicised, stressing that the lives of citizens must be protected regardless of their ethnic,…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has restated its commitment to inclusive development, especially with regard to Persons Living with Disabilities, PWDs, in Rivers State, to enhance their skills, boost their economic independence and participation in society. Speaking during an empowerment outreach for youths and women living with disabilities in Rivers State, the Director of the NDDC Rivers State Office, Engr. Okezie Ule, represented by Mrs Patience Opuebi, said the Commission recognised the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities were consciously included in its development interventions in the region. The initiative, organised in Port Harcourt to mark the International…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is set to invest an initial $10 billion in the development of the OgunLNG project in Ogun Waterside, Ogun State, as the long-delayed gas project enters a fresh phase of revival. This was as a revered traditional leader and stakeholder, Olori Omoba Otunba Adejare Rewane Adegbenro, has described the proposed $7 billion Gateway Deep Sea Port and Blue Marine Special Economic Zone in Ogun State as a major boost to Nigeria’s maritime and industrial capacity. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with officials of the company led by its Chief Financial Officer,…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has formally presented the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the new Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, His Majesty King Charles Douglas Mac-Pepple Jaja Jeki VI, urging him to promote peace, unity and inclusiveness in the kingdom. Fubara, who congratulated the monarch on his successful emergence after the selection and coronation processes, charged him to extend a hand of fellowship to other contenders who lost out in the race, saying they should be regarded as comrades whose contributions are necessary for the progress and development of Opobo Kingdom. The governor spoke on Friday…

The Chairman of CSS Global Integrated Farms, Professor John-Kennedy Opara, has said the Federal Government and the World Bank are deepening efforts to equip Nigerian youths with practical, market-ready skills as part of a broader push to expand employment, entrepreneurship and food production. Prof Opara disclosed this on October 1, 2026, in Gora, Nasarawa State, during the commencement of a six-month training programme under the Investment in Digital and Employability Skills (IDEAS) Project, implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank. The CSS Chairman, represented by the farm’s Training Manager, Victor Umunakwe, said the programme…

Bank of Industry (BoI) has unveiled a fully digital lending portal, MyBOI, to cut barriers to credit and make financing more accessible to Nigerian businesses. The end-to-end lending portal seeks to simplify credit process for Nigerian enterprises and ease access to business finance, shortening the path to credit, and expanding access for productive activity. Managing Director/Chief Executive, BoI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said access to finance should not be measured only by the amount of money available to businesses, but also by how efficiently they could navigate the process of obtaining it. Olusi said, “Access to finance is not only about…

The Federal Government has called on young Nigerians participating in the 2026 National Youth Confab to move beyond discussions and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting the country. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the call while declaring the conference open at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Auditorium in Abuja. According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Omolara Esan, Olawande described the confab as more than a gathering for discussions, saying it offers young Nigerians an opportunity to exchange ideas, examine challenges and opportunities, and contribute to policies and…

The federal government has  kicked off the  construction of a new ultra-modern National Control Centre for the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) in Osogbo, Osun State,  to replace  a 64-year-old facility that no longer meets the demands of running Nigeria’s grid. The groundbreaking was performed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, supported by the Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe. Delivering a breakdown of the project, Tegbe explained that the upcoming facility will provide NISO with complete, real-time visibility across the entire national grid network, enabling rapid intervention during system swings. He described the initiative as tangible proof of President Tinubu’s resolve…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is set to launch an initiative to help African countries improve their sovereign credit ratings by strengthening economic data and transparency. AfDB President, Mr Sidi Ould Tah, disclosed this on Thursday while speaking at the S&P emerging markets conference in London. Mr Tah said gaps in economic data and market infrastructure contribute to perceptions of higher risk, which in turn increase borrowing costs for African countries. He said the initiative would be implemented through the African Legal Support Facility to help governments prepare for sovereign credit assessments and improve the quality of information available to…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has empowered 100 women in Akwa Ibom State with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital marketing skills to enable them to expand their businesses and access online markets. Speaking during the two-day training programme in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the NDDC Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, Mrs Lyna Okara, said the initiative reflected the Commission’s commitment to empowering women with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the digital economy. She said the ICT training was designed to equip women with practical digital skills for online business, marketing and networking. The…