Author: Vardiafrica

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has assured that the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, will soon complete the 2-kilometre double-lane Kaa-Ataba Road with two bridges linking the Khana Local Government Area to the Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. Momoh gave the assurance during an inspection of the road and the 1.2-kilometre-long bridge, stating that the road project demonstrated the determination of the Federal Government to develop the Niger Delta region. The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development, Dr Mary Ogbe; the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku; the…

Nigeria is expanding its trade partnerships beyond the United States in response to the recent imposition of a 15 percent import tariff by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this during an interview on CNN’s Quest Means Business. On August 1, Nigeria and several other African countries were affected by the tariff hike, which followed an executive order by Trump. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the U.S. exported goods worth $4.3 billion to Nigeria in the past year, while Nigeria’s exports primarily crude oil, fertiliser, and other commodities,…

The second tranche of the outstanding ₦35,000 wage award arrears to federal civil servants has been paid, the Federal Government said on Friday. The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) in a statement in Abuja, said the government had earlier paid one month out of the initial five months outstanding arrears. In the statement signed by the Director (Press and Public Relations), Bawa Mokwa, it added that with the payment of the second tranche, there remain three tranches to be exhausted to settle the wage award arrears. The OAGF stated that contrary to insinuations in some quarters,…

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday warned members of the party expressing support for President Bola Tinubu to retrace their steps or face stiffer sanctions. It criticised errant members for their actions, describing them as anti-party and against the opposition party’s constitution. “In the light of the foregoing and the instancy of protecting and preserving the existence of our Party and its electoral fortune, the NWC, pursuant to the provisions of Section 59 (1) of the PDP Constitution hereby issues a strong reprimand against such anti-party activities and cautions those involved to retrace…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced intentions to seek civil, administrative, or criminal penalties against organizations identified as having breached foreign exchange regulations after a forensic audit into unfulfilled forward contracts This was revealed in a document titled Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Settlement of Undelivered Forward Contracts, published on the Bank’s website on Thursday. According to the CBN, “The Central Bank of Nigeria is reviewing appropriate legal action against parties found to have violated applicable rules and regulations, based on the findings of the forensic audit. The Bank will collaborate with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to…

The Federal Government has inaugurated a multi-agency task force to fight the growing threat of fake drugs and unwholesome processed foods across the country. The Federal and Zonal Task Force, unveiled in Abuja, is part of efforts to safeguard public health and restore public confidence in the nation’s healthcare system. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, described the rise in fake medicines and unsafe food products as a “national emergency” that demands swift, united action. “Counterfeit drugs and unsafe foods are not just threats to our health; they are threats to our economy, our future,…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the repeated arrest and detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, warning that such actions could signal a return to dictatorship where dissent is suppressed. In a statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union described Sowore as a “moral compass” whose harassment reflects a slide toward authoritarianism. “We strongly condemn the frequent arrest and long spells in detention of Sowore, a renowned civil rights activist. It is all the more unacceptable if he was injured in the course of his arrest, as it is being alleged,” Ajaero said. He warned that…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is working with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on the voting right of inmates. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday while receiving the Comptroller General of NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja. Yakubu affirmed the judgement of the Appeal Court, granting inmates the right to register and vote in any elections. “We are aware that the right to vote is a human right which cannot be taken away from a citizen on account of time being served in a correctional facility. In many parts of the world,…

The Trump administration is now offering a $50 million reward to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The announcement came directly from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who accused Maduro of conspiring with multiple gangs to bring guns and illegal drugs into the United States. ‘Maduro uses foreign terrorist organizations like [Tren de Aragua], Sinaloa, and Cartel of the Suns to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country,’ she said. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has so far seized 30 tons of cocaine that were subsequently linked to Maduro and his associates,…

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi; and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun; to prosecute Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, over his unruly behaviour at the Abuja airport on Tuesday. NCAA spokesman Michael Achimugu said Ayinde’s attempt to block a moving ValueJet aircraft violated Nigeria’s civil aviation regulations. In its letter to the AGF and the IGP, the NCAA called for a “comprehensive criminal investigation and the initiation of appropriate prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations (Nig. CARs)…