Author: Vardiafrica

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the people of the oil-rich state that his administration will implement the Supreme Court’s verdict after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC). This followed the Friday judgment of the apex court, which declared the LG election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid. In a state broadcast on Sunday, Fubara revealed that he has met with his legal team, who expect to obtain the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025. He emphasised that his government is committed to upholding constitutional principles and will act in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, the…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected plans by the Federal Government to regularise electricity tariffs for customers for Bands A, B and C. In a communique released on Sunday after the National Executive Council (NEC) in Yola, Adamawa State, the labour union vowed to lead mass nationwide protests across Nigeria should the government continue with its plan. Last Thursday, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said lower bands would be upgraded to Band A. In its communique sign by NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the labour union rejected the “forcefully migration” of consumers from lower bands to Band A. “On…

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh has inaugurated the 7.3-kilometre Oyigbo Road network, which traverses Obunku, Umuosi, Obeakpu, Mgboji, and Ndoki communities in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State. He also launched the reconstruction of the Mgboji-Umuagbu Akwete Road, linking Rivers, Abia, and Akwa Ibom states. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Engr. Momoh said that the road projects were testimonies to the fact that NDDC was living up to its mandate to facilitate the rapid development of the Niger Delta region. He noted that the NDDC last Saturday commissioned the reconstructed Abraka-Oben Road in Ethiope East…

The Nigerian Army has renamed the Ikeja cantonment after the late Chief of Army Staff (CAOS), Taoreed Lagbaja. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the decision was in recognition of Lagbaja’s courage and service to Nigeria. “This renaming is not just a new title; it represents our respect, gratitude, and recognition for the courage and sacrifices of one of Nigeria’s exceptional military officers, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the former chief of army staff,” Sanwo-Olu said. “By naming it after Lieutenant General Lagbaja, we pay tribute to a leader whose life exemplified courage, discipline, and patriotism. “His distinguished service in…

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has issued an ultimatum to foreign airlines operating in the country to patronise local catering services or risk having their summer flight schedules rejected. The statement was made during a stakeholders meeting focused on “Transforming the Aviation Industry” held in Lagos on Friday. “I will not approve summer schedules for foreign airlines until they show me agreements demonstrating partnerships with our local caterers,” Minister Keyamo declared during the meeting. The minister expressed frustration that Nigerian catering companies have been systematically excluded from the lucrative airline catering business, despite foreign carriers profiting…

United States President Donald Trump says his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, is not ready for peace. Trump spoke in a social media post after a meeting between him and Zelensky ended in a shouting match on Friday. The two leaders were discussing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, but Trump said Zelensky disrespected the “United States of America in its Cherished Oval Office.” “He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” the US president added. During the Oval Office meeting, Trump warned Zelensky that Ukraine had to “make a deal with the US, or it would end its…

Oando Plc has been selected as the preferred bidder for the lease of the Guaracara Refinery in Trinidad and Tobago, securing a significant opportunity in the Caribbean energy sector. The Nigerian energy company emerged victorious in a competitive bidding process, defeating the Trinidadian CRO Consortium and INCA Energy, an American company. The decision, announced by Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Energy, Stuart Young, was based on Oando’s strong financial performance, particularly its $1.5 billion acquisition of ConocoPhillips’ assets in Nigeria in 2014. Minister Young emphasized that Cabinet had spent considerable time discussing the implications of the decision, highlighting the importance…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the ₦ 54.99 trillion 2025 appropriation bill into law. President Tinubu signed the bill on Friday at the presidential villa in Abuja. The bill, which was passed in separate sessions by the two Chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday, February 13, after increasing it from the initial figures of N49.7 trillion submitted by President Tinubu, was signed in a brief ceremony in the President’s office. The 2025 Appropriation Act represents a 99.96% increase from the 2024 Budget of N27.5 trillion. The key breakdown of the 2025 budget is as follows: Total Expenditure: ₦54.99…

Mojisola Meranda, speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly, has criticised Mudashiru Obasa for allegedly invading her office and presiding over an “illegitimate plenary”. On Thursday, Obasa entered the assembly complex and presided over a “plenary session” with four lawmakers. Obasa has rejected his removal as speaker by 36 members of the assembly, insisting that the process was flawed. His defiance has deepened divisions within the assembly, with most lawmakers accusing him of poor leadership. Meanwhile, 26 legislators loyal to Meranda appeared in court on Friday over a lawsuit filed by Obasa, challenging his removal from office. Speaking after the court…

The local government election conducted on the 5th of October 2024 by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has been declared invalid by the Supreme Court. In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court declared the election invalid for grossly violating the Electoral Act Reading the judgement, Justice Tukur said the action of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission is declared void for lack of substantial compliance to the Electoral Act and guidelines as the electoral body continued voter registration even after announcing an election date. The court held that processes leading to the conduct of a local…