Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman on winning the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year. In a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President also hailed Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie for clinching the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award and the Super Falcons for being named the Women’s National Team of the Year. The awards were announced Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco. ‘‘These athletes embody the essential Nigerian Spirit. They signpost the best in us as a nation. Let no one ever write us off. I…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on the media to support his administration’s proposed tax reforms, describing them as essential for building lasting national wealth and prosperity for all Nigerians. The Nigerian leader made the call at the 2024 Nigerian Media Merit Awards held at the Muson Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. Represented by Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the President acknowledged differing opinions on the reforms but emphasised a shared national understanding of the need for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax administration system. “We may not all agree on every detail of the required reform, but there will…

The Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM (Chartered), has given an outstanding leadership award to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku. Speaking at the End-of-Year Lecture and Award Night of the NDDC Chapter of the Institute, the President and Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Dr (Mrs) Christiana Atako, lauded the NDDC Chief Executive Officer for his efforts in fostering professional excellence and contributing to the development of Nigeria. She commended him for leading with purpose and distinction. Atako remarked: “Leadership is not just about authority but about vision, influence, and responsibility to…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Friday commended the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) for its remarkable contributions to the energy industry, and charged it to lead in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive oil and gas sector. Speaking at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Association in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile Esq, recalled the pivotal role of PETAN, through stakeholder engagements and strident advocacy, in the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010. He said the Association has remained “a beacon of innovation…

Ademola Lookman has been crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year in a historic event that confirms his status as one of the best players in the world in the current calendar year. The Super Eagles of Nigeria forward shook off competitions from South Africa’s Ronwen Williams, Cote d’Ivoire’s Simon Adingra, Achraf Hakimi of Morocco, and Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy to win the prize. His win means the award remains in Nigeria after teammate Victor Osimhen won it last year. The Atalanta of Italy player, who personally received the award in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday night, described it something…

The Federal Executive Council on Monday approved the renaming of the University of Abuja as Yakubu Gowon University. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to State House correspondents following the council’s last meeting for 2024 at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. The University of Abuja also known as UNIABUJA was established in January 1988 under Decree No. 110 of 1992 as amended, as a dual-mode university with the mandate to run conventional and distance learning programmes. The university started academic work in 1990 with the matriculation of its pioneer students. Yakubu Gowon is Nigeria’s former military…

President Bola Tinubu has approved free transportation nationwide ahead of Christmas celebration. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, announced this while briefing State House correspondents shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by the President on Monday. He said the Federal Government will commence a nationwide free train services from the 20th of December to 5th of January 2025. He also announced that FG has renamed the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University. READ ALSO: President Tinubu Chairs Federal Executive Council Meeting Advertisement On the 2025 budget, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun…

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated Shell and its partners’ announcement of the $5bn Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Bonga North Deep Offshore Field, as a milestone achievement for Nigeria.  A statement by his Special Adviser to the President, (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Monday, said the development was a landmark achievement, being Nigeria’s first deepwater oil project in over a decade. The project underscores the transformative impact of the president’s policies and reforms in attracting investments in the oil and gas sector, the statement said. The Bonga North oilfield, located 130 kilometres offshore in Oil Mining Lease (OML)…

Shell Plc says its Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), has announced a final investment decision (FID) on Bonga north, a deepwater project off the coast of Nigeria. In a statement on Monday, Shell said the Bonga North will be a subsea tie-back to its Bonga floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility which it operates with a 55 percent interest. “The Bonga North project involves drilling, completing, and starting up 16 wells (8 production and 8 water injection wells), modifications to the existing Bonga Main FPSO and the installation of new subsea hardware tied back to…

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has promised to share the Commission’s experience and make available relevant documents to help the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonomie, CENA of Benin Republic conduct their elections in 2026. Yakubu was addressing a visiting delegation from the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonomie, CENA of Benin Republic in Abuja on Monday. The President of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission of Benin Republic, Dr Sacca Lafia and officials of the Electoral Commission are in Nigeria to undertake a study visit to INEC as they prepare for what they described as their most complex election in 2026.…