Author: Vardiafrica

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed Biodun Oyebanji, governor of Ekiti, as its consensus candidate for the 2026 governorship election in the state. The endorsement was made on Monday during a party meeting in Ado-Ekiti. Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, moved the motion for Oyebanji’s adoption, which was seconded by Stephen Aribasoye, speaker of the Ekiti house of assembly. In his remarks, Usman Ododo, the chairman of the congress committee, said the affirmation is a reflection of Oyebanji’s giant strides in various sectors which have benefitted the people of Ekiti. He added that APC remains a party of discipline, which has shown in…

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has abandoned his earlier plan to call witnesses in his defence in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism offences. Kanu told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday that he has realised that there was no valid charge against him and that evidence led so far have not established any case against him to require the he enter a defence. The court had on October 24 adjourned till October 27 for Kanu to open his defence. Kanu had written the court, indicating his intention to call witnesses and applied…

A two-storey building has collapsed in Lagos, leaving many residents trapped beneath the rubble.  The affected building located at 54 Cole Street, near Cemetery Bus Stop in the Oyingbo area of the state collapsed in the early hours of Monday, October 27, 2025. The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, who confirmed the incident, said the Sari-Iganmu Fire Station team was immediately dispatched to the scene after receiving a distress call at about 12:20 a.m. on Monday. The agency confirmed that the structure, which had previously shown signs of distress, gave way while residents were…

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has congratulated the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas) and Co-Chairman of the NCDMB Governing Council, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo on his recent emergence as President of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). Engr. Ogbe described the appointment as the lead of the renowned international organization as a well-deserved recognition of the Minister’s visionary leadership, deep industry expertise, and consistent drive to position Nigeria as a global gas powerhouse.He noted that under the Minister’s stewardship, the nation has recorded significant progress in unlocking…

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, announced this at a press briefing in Lagos State. The Dangote Refinery has said it has plans to soon expand its capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million bpd. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, announced this at a press briefing in Lagos State. “We are expanding the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day,” Dangote said. “Upon completion, this will make it the largest refinery in the world, surpassing the Jamnagar Refinery in India.” The expansion project is expected to…

Spurred by the resurgence of big-ticket investments and new projects in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled a special Human Capital Development (HCD) Program that would train over 10,000 young graduates and technicians in top 10 high-demand skills in the sector. Termed NCDMB Oil and Gas Field Readiness Training Program, the intent is to prepare and equip the next generation of Nigerians with practical skills for top careers in the oil and gas industry and position them to take part actively in the oil and gas projects recently launched bysome international and indigenous operating oil and gas companies.…

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, says it will begin an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025. This was contained in a statement released by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, on Sunday. The statement noted that the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands. The decision was taken after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, NEC, on Saturday. “The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of…

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has pointed that the Board is intensifying efforts to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards across its operations, aiming to bolster sustainability and enhance local content in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Speaking at the International Conference on Hydrocarbon Science and Technology in Abuja on Thursday, Ogbe emphasized the Board’s commitment to aligning with global ESG benchmarks. “ESG principles are critical in directing global investments, and Nigeria is keeping pace,” Ajimijaye stated. “NCDMB is empowering local operators to compete on the international stage while adhering…

US President Donald Trump co-signed a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in Malaysia during the first stop on his Asia tour, which is expected to culminate in talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The ceasefire, following a bloody border dispute, was signed by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, as well as Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The agreement will see the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, a statement from Cambodia’s foreign ministry said. Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia erupted in July, killing more than 40 people and forcing around…

The close-out ceremony of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Asset Legacy Training programme held on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, witnessed attestations and plaudits from among industry regulator, partner companies and outgoing trainees as to milestones achieved in relation to the human capital development (HCD) provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010. Asset Legacy Training, an HCD programme of the NLNG Limited executed on the back of the company’s multibillion-dollar Train-7 project, is framed in the light of targets set by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for job-ready and globally competitive…