Author: Vardiafrica

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has issued a warning about a global banking malware named Grandoreiro, which poses a significant threat through sophisticated phishing campaigns. In an advisory released by the agency’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team on Monday, December 9, the malware was described as a severe cybersecurity risk, using advanced methods such as screen overlay attacks and remote device control to steal sensitive data, including banking credentials and personal information. The malware primarily spreads via phishing emails and fraudulent websites that deceive victims into downloading malicious software disguised as legitimate updates or documents. Once installed,…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says the new Port Harcourt refinery is over 90 percent completed. The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) operates two refineries; the old plant with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd) and a new facility with 150,000 bpsd — bringing the refinery’s combined crude processing capacity to 210,000 bpsd. Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer of NNPC, spoke on Monday when Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) labour leaders visited the facility in Rivers state. Represented by Isiyaku Abudulai, NNPC’s executive vice-president, downstream, Kyari said the new…

The Senate, through its Finance Committee, has issued a stern warning to government-owned agencies that fail to provide proper expenditure records from the 2024 fiscal year. Chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Sani Musa, who issued the threat on Monday during an investigative hearing, underscored that the committee will withhold allocations to any agency that does not comply with its summons for scrutiny. In an interface with the Accountant General of the Federation, Missus Oluwatoyin Madein, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the centralized payment system managed by the Office of the Accountant General also came under scrutiny as members frowned…

The Rivers State Government (RSG) has reaffirmed its longstanding partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) through the execution of a project to provide two blocks of 12 x 2-bedroom accommodation for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at NAF Base, Port Harcourt. The completed project was commissioned in a milestone event held on 9 December 2024, highlighting the commitment of the Fubara-led administration to strengthening the welfare and operational readiness of security agencies in Rivers State. Speaking at the event, His Excellency Sir Siminialaye Fubara emphasized the critical role of the NAF and other security agencies in maintaining peace and fostering development…

Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and been granted asylum “out of humanitarian considerations”, Russian news agencies are quoting a Kremlin source as saying. Russian state TV also reported the news, which put an end to speculation about the whereabouts of Syria’s former president after rebel forces seized control of Damascus. Earlier, the Russian foreign ministry had announced that Assad “decided to resign the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power”. Russia, which has two key military bases in Syria, is a staunch ally of Assad and had intervened in Syria’s…

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has stated that the Department of State Services (DSS) are not responsible for searching passengers’ bags at airport Keyamo made this known during an interview on ‘This Morning’ programme on Arise News on Sunday. Using Lagos International Airport as an example, Keyamo said passengers enter through the arrival door and immediately encounter a screening machine for their bags. Keyamo said the bags are inspected at a joint inspection table after the screening, which causes congestion due to the lack of space. He said the congestion often leads to blockages that extend to…

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have announced a partnership to pilot BuyNigeria.ng, an e-commerce platform aimed at bringing Nigerian markets online and positioning Nigeria as a global leader in cultural and digital transformation. This partnership represents a significant step toward integrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage with advanced digital innovation, unlocking new opportunities for the nation’s creative and digital economies In a joint statement signed by Dr. Dennis Olofu, Head of Media at NCAC, and Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, the initiative was described as a landmark collaboration to…

South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been banned from leaving the country, as opposition politicians accused his party of staging a “second coup” by refusing to impeach him over his botched declaration of martial law last week. Bae Sang-up, an immigration services commissioner at the justice ministry, confirmed during a parliamentary hearing on Monday that Yoon was the subject of a travel ban. Yoon’s attempt to end civilian rule last Tuesday lasted just six hours after lawmakers scuffled with soldiers in the parliament building before voting to lift the order. “This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection…

President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview aired Sunday he would “have to” deport all undocumented immigrants in the United States, as he doubled down on his hardline campaign pledges including ending birthright citizenship. “You have to do it,” he said during an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” after being asked if he planned on deporting “everyone who is here illegally over the next four years” of his term. He also used his first formal television interview after the November election to insist he would end birthright citizenship — enshrined in the US Constitution — “if we can, through…

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched a comprehensive probe into Fly Bird’s double engine loss incident following a serious engine malfunction mid-flight. The Fly Bird HS 125 aircraft, registered as 5N-KAL, experienced technical issues during its December 6, 2024, journey from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Kotoka International Airport, Accra. Moreover, his investigation aims to uncover the root causes of the incident and enhance aviation safety. Preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft, carrying three crew members and one passenger, encountered an engine No. 2 indication issue while climbing through flight level 240. At 17:54 UTC, approximately 25 nautical miles…