Author: Vardiafrica

The Federal Government has overturned the lifetime flight ban imposed on Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and cut Fuji music legend Wasiu Ayinde Marshal’s suspension from six months to one month. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the development on Wednesday through his official X account, revealing that the decision came after extensive consultations with stakeholders, public appeals, and expressions of remorse from both parties. Emmanson, who had been held at Kirikiri Prison since her arrest on 10 August 2025, will be released this week following Ibom Air’s withdrawal of its criminal complaint. The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has also agreed to remove the…

The Federal Government has eased sanctions against Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1, over his recent altercation with ValueJet staff at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced on Wednesday that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will reduce KWAM 1’s no-fly ban from six months to one month. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also engage the music star as an ambassador for airport security protocols. Keyamo said the NCAA will withdraw its criminal complaint against the musician, citing his public show of remorse. The…

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has hailed the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative national asset, calling it a vital step in bridging Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, boosting employment, and restoring public confidence in the country’s industrial capacity. Speaking during a tour to the refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos State chapter, Comrade Funmi Sessi, praised the massive scale and strategic significance of the Dangote Group’s investments, stating that the projects are delivering tangible benefits to the Nigerian people. “Today, we have seen the massive Dangote Refinery project, as well as the fertiliser…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NDDC) on Monday reiterated its commitment to the development and strengthening of specialised oil and gas industry skills, while emphasising the need for operators and service companies to fully identify with the Board’s initiatives in that regard to facilitate national development.   Speaking at the kick-off of the Nigerian Content Non-Compliance Remediation (NCNC-Rem) training programme at Aveon Offshore Limited, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, the Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Board was handing over young Nigerians shortlisted from its Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System (NOGIC JQS) to the company…

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska next Fridayto discuss the future of the war in Ukraine. Trump announced the 15 August meeting on social media and it was later confirmed by a Kremlin spokesperson, who said the location was “quite logical” given Alaska’s relative proximity to Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky said any solutions must include Ukraine, adding he is ready to work with all partners towards a “lasting peace”. The announcement of the meeting came just hours after Trump had signalled that Ukraine might have to cede territory in order to end the…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, a day after detaining him over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling N189 billion. A source confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the senator, who currently represents Sokoto South in the Nigerian Senate, was released from custody on Tuesday. “He has been discharged today (Tuesday), so he has left,” the source said. Mr Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and two-term Sokoto State governor, was detained and interrogated by detectives when he visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 11 a.m. on Monday.…

Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP) has ordered an investigation into Wasiu Ayinde, the veteran Fuji musician, also known as KWAM 1, over allegations of unruly conduct at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. KWAM1, who was onboard a ValueJet plane on August 5, was seen drinking from a flask and was approached by a flight attendant who suspected that the content was alcohol, a substance prohibited onboard aircraft in Nigeria. The attendant was said to have asked the musician to surrender the flask, but Kwam 1 refused, saying it was medication prescribed by his doctor. Following his refusal to…

The new leadership of ESSO Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, affiliate of ExxonMobil corporation on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe.  The ESSO delegation was led by the Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Jabir Baxi, to the Board’s liaison office in Lagos. He was accompanied by the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, Femi Ogunbi; Africa Human Resources Manager, Bala Aliyu; and Nigeria Human Resources Manager, Mrs Emem Abraham. At the visit, Mr Baxi affirmed the company’s commitment to developing local content and complying…

The African Democratic Congress, ADC’s unprovoked attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,   EFCC, concerning its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from every divide, came as a rude shock and unwarranted blame game. Every objective and discerning watcher of events in the national political scene, would admit that the Commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate. The ADC’s claims that “Opposition Coalition have received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated. These are not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to…

Airtel Africa and Vodacom have signed a strategic network infrastructure agreement to drive digital inclusion across key markets to improve access to reliable connectivity across Africa Both organisations will work to support markets such as Mozambique, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), subject to regulatory approvals. The agreement represents a transformative milestone in promoting digital inclusion and expanding access to reliable connectivity across Africa. Initially, the partnership is focusing on sharing fibre networks and tower infrastructure to accelerate the roll-out of digital services across these critical markets. As a result, both companies hope to increase connectivity for customers, while also…