Author: Vardiafrica

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has reaffirmed its strong support to the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) and its newly established financial institution – the Africa Energy Bank (AEB). The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe made the pledge on Thursday when the new Secretary General of APPO, H.E. Farid Ghezali paid him a courtesy visit at the Board’s Abuja liaison office, in company with senior officials of APPO, Mr. Bakary Traore and Mr. Tchananti Sahguir. The meeting came on the heels of Nigeria’s handing over of the fully set up office of AEB on…

The Minister stated this yesterday during the South-East Vision 2050 Stakeholders’ Forum at the International Conference Centre, Enugu. The NDDC Board Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku and the Bayelsa State Representative on the Board, Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa joined other stakeholders at the event. The Minister said the creation of the South East Development Commission by the administration of President Tinubu reflected an institutional commitment to the coordinated, targeted transformation of the region through the revitalisation of critical infrastructure, including the rail sector and the agricultural value chain. Momoh said the event was a crowning moment in the…

President Trump has declared his intent to rededicate America to God during this 250th anniversary year of our country’s founding. He made the announcement during the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning. During his speech, he opened up once again about his previous comments on not being sure if he could make it into heaven. “I was being funny. You know you can’t be sarcastic with them,” he said, referring to the news media. “I said, ‘I’m never going to make it to heaven. I just don’t think I qualify.’ I don’t think there’s a thing I can do with all of…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, describing the assailants’ actions as “cowardly and beastly,” and warning that they “won’t go scot-free.” In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he had been fully briefed on the incident after meeting with Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and expressed outrage over the killing of innocent villagers, noting that a swift military response is already underway. “I condemn in the strongest terms this cowardly and beastly attack. The gunmen are heartless for choosing soft targets in…

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to begin the production of surfactants, a key raw material used in detergent manufacturing, in a move expected to strengthen local industry and reduce reliance on imports. Surfactants are the active ingredients that enable detergents to create foam and remove dirt, and are widely used in household cleaning, garment care and personal hygiene products. Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, David Bird, disclosed the development on Wednesday during a news conference, stating that the company has reached advanced stages in securing commercial agreements to install a Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant, which will produce…

United States President Donald Trump has launched a new website that he says will lower the cost of prescription medicines, which have long stood out for their sky-high prices in the US compared with similar products around the world. Trump announced the launch of the new website called TrumpRx, which allows consumers to buy discounted drugs directly from pharma companies, at an event at the White House on Thursday. “People are going to save a lot of money and be healthy,” Trump said, stating that some of the world’s largest drug producers have agreed to bring down prices under “Most Favoured Nation”…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Thursday, met with Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, at the Presidential Villa ,Abuja. The meeting came on the heels of the deadly attack on Worro community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. More than 100 people were killed in the community in what authorities described as an attack by suspected jihadist fighters. But in a decisive strike against the rampaging terror gripping Nigeria’s heartland, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of a military battalion to parts of Kwara State following the deadly attack on Kaiama Local Government Area that left scores of residents dead. Some…

The Defence headquarters has disclosed that the recent deployment of specialist troops by the US AFRICOM was done in full respect of Nigeria’s sovereignty and in accordance with existing bilateral frameworks between the two countries. Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, made this known in a statement titled, “Clarification On Speculations Regarding the Presence of US Troops in Nigeria”. It reads, “The Defence Headquarters has noted recent media reports and public speculation suggesting the presence or deployment of United States troops in Nigeria. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to state that Nigeria maintains a long-standing and…

The 183 worshippers abducted from the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have regained their freedom, eighteen days after they were kidnapped by bandits during a church service on January 18. The victims were received by Governor Uba Sani on Thursday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna. Receiving the worshippers alongside heads of security agencies, top Kaduna State Government officials and community leaders, the governor described the occasion as “a day of joy for the state”. He said the safe return of all the abducted worshippers vindicated the quiet but relentless efforts of…

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, has stated that the company is currently in talks with partners with a proven track record of refining and petrochemical operations in order to build sustainable, self-financing, and profitable solutions for its refineries. Ojulari disclosed this while fielding questions during a fireside chat themed “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future at NIES 2026” at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 on Wednesday in Abuja. The GCEO observed that historically, the focus on refineries has largely been on financing and EPC delivery, noting that the…