Author: Vardiafrica

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has been appointed into the Executive Board of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO).By the appointment, Ogbe becomes Nigeria’s representative on the Board of the 18-member continental body, which has its headquarters at Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Ogbe was picked for this role by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who doubles as the Chairman of the NCDMB Governing Council. The notice of the Executive Secretary’s appointment was conveyed in a congratulatory letter signed by the Director of…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has advised second-term governors to be circumspect in selecting their successors. According to the Senate president, governors who settle for successors simply because they kneel before them might be setting themselves up for betrayal when they finally leave office. The former Akwa Ibom governor stated this on Saturday at the commissioning of the first 30 kilometres of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in the Lekki area of Lagos. Akpabio stressed the place of vision in leadership, urging second-term governors, especially those in the All Progressives Congress (APC), to prioritise visionary leadership over patronising loyalty. The event was…

Nigeria’s advertising watchdog has launched a formal investigation into 9mobile over N1 billion debt related to unpaid advertising services, following petitions from industry stakeholders. According to a statement issued on Friday, May 30, by the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Olalekan Fadolapo, the inquiry stems from complaints filed by members of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) against Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, the operator of 9mobile. ARCON stated that despite outstanding payments owed to multiple advertising agencies, 9mobile has continued to engage new agencies for fresh campaigns, prompting the regulatory body to step in. “It was also…

President Bola Tinubu has sent a delegation to Niger state to condole with the government and people of the state following the flood that ravaged Mokwa and surrounding communities. The flood claimed the lives of at least 151 persons, displaced many, and destroyed homes and critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges. The delegation, comprising the Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, and Nentawe Yilwatda, the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, was received by Yakubu Garba, the deputy governor of Niger state. During a courtesy visit to the state government, the minister delivered the president’s condolences…

The federal government is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite technology to identify and support impoverished Nigerians living in urban slums, according to Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, Yilwatda said the use of AI has enabled a major expansion of the National Social Register, which now includes nearly 20 million Nigerians. Yilwatda explained that the social register, initially designed to capture only the rural poor, has grown from 13 million to 19.7 million individuals. He stated that President Bola Tinubu directed the ministry to extend the register to cover…

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has inducted three warships and three helicopters into its fleet for enhanced maritime security. The induction ceremony, at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT in Apapa, was organised as part of activities to celebrate the navy’s 69th anniversary. Inducting the new maritime security platforms, Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle, described the moment as a testament to progress, and a bold stride towards securing Nigeria’s future. “The sea, has remained a pillar of our nation’s economic prosperity and for the past 69 years, the Nigerian Navy has stood as the guardian of this blue territory. With the addition…

Fresh off a historic hat trick in the Europa League final and being named 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year, Nigerian footballer Ademola Lookman paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Governor Sanwo-Olu, who hosted Lookman at the Lagos House, Marina, shared the moment on X (formerly Twitter), praising the Atalanta forward for his discipline and inspiration to millions of Nigerian youths. “His journey is a powerful reminder of how far passion, discipline, and hard work can take you. He is focused, grounded, and fully aware of the responsibility…

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this during the grand finale of the NDDC Secondary School Quiz held in Port Harcourt.  Ogbuku, who was represented by the Director of Education, Health, and Social Services, Dr George Uzonwanne, stated that the NDDC considered education as crucial in the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. He noted: “A well-grounded education is a bedrock for success in the future. This competition aims to get the best among students in the region. We strive to establish a value for education in the area. “We also want to identify the gaps and…

Paris Saint-Germain, one of the most prominent soccer clubs in the world, has officially added Bitcoin to its balance sheet. The news broke at the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, where PSG Labs head Par Helgosson confirmed that a portion of the club’s fiat reserves was converted into BTC. PSG Will Be the First Team to Create Bitcoin Reserve “We took our fiat reserves and allocated Bitcoin. It’s still on our books,” Helgosson said. “As one of the world’s largest clubs, we’re the biggest player in sports to do this.” The move marks a significant milestone in the ongoing convergence of crypto and professional sports.…

The trial of Biafran self-acclaimed Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa, for alleged terrorism has started in Finland. Ekpa is accused of participating in a terrorist organisation, alongside publicly inciting crimes for terrorist purposes. It would be recalled that the Finnish police investigated the case together with the Nigerian authorities. Ekpa appeared at the Päijät-Häme District Court as seen in a video on Friday. According to prosecutors, he has been actively involved in a separatist movement seeking independence for southeastern Nigeria under the name “Biafra.” They allege that the activity, conducted online and coordinated from Finland, may constitute terrorism under Finnish law.…