Author: Vardiafrica

Monday Okpebholo has been inaugurated as the governor of Edo, marking an end to the eight-year stint of Godwin Obaseki at the helm of affairs in the South-South state. The ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital, two months after the All Progressives Congress (APC) clinched the ticket to the Dennis Osadebay House. Okpebholo took his oath of office alongside his running mate Dennis Idahosa The ceremony was attended by some dignitaries including Vice President Kashim Shettima who represented President Bola Tinubu; governors under the APC; Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo;…

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has barred licensed flight crew members from operating multiple airlines. While issuing the restriction, the NCAA said its findings revealed that pilots and other crew members render services to different airlines. In a circular NCAA/DGCA/AOL dated November 6th, 2024 and signed by the Acting Director-General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo declared the act illegal. The circular said instances where pilots operate for more than one airline concurrently pose a safety risk. It added that the license issued to the pilot or any member of the flight crew is operator-specific based…

Bitcoin, the primary crypto asset has surged to a staggering $89,000 price level in the wake of the recent bull run sweeping through the crypto market. The Flagship cryptocurrency has surged by 9.4% in the last 24 hours and a whopping 29.6% in the last 7 days. According to Coingecko’s data, Bitcoin is currently exchanging hands for $89,123 just $1,000 shy of a major milestone of $90,000 The Bitcoin rally started during the United States Election week and intensified after Donald Trump was announced as the winner of the election. However, several analysts have pointed out that the current bull run is…

After decades of massive importation of petroleum products, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Monday announced that it had finally ended the age-long practice. The development is expected to save Nigeria as much as $10 billion in hard currency in-country annually, as the national oil company said it now buys from the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery located in Lagos. Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari, disclosed this in Lagos, while delivering his keynote message at the ongoing 42nd annual international conference and exhibition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE). The…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has resolved to honour the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others, who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the Ogoni people’s interests in 1995. In a special message to commemorate the 29th Ogoni Martyrs Remembrance Day, Tinubu, in a release by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, solidarised with the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) and all Ogoni citizens. He stressed his government’s commitment to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and healing among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. This year’s commemoration, themed, “After Price, Comes Prise,” was conceived to reflect the nation’s collective commitment to acknowledging the…

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) says the sale of Heritage Bank’s assets will begin on December 4, 2024.  A statement by the Director, Communication and Public Affairs Department, NDIC, Bashir Nuhu disclosed that “this exercise is in pursuant of the Corporation’s statutory powers as the Liquidator of failed banks under section 62 (1)(d) of the NDIC Act, 2023. This is another follow up action sequel to disposal of physical assets and chattels belonging to the defunct bank at its leased locations nationwide.” Bashir revealed that the auction of the landed assets shall be by competitive bidding in sealed bids…

Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said that Nigerians earning minimum wage and slightly above will be exempted from the Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax once the Tax Reform Bills are signed into law. Oyedele stated this on Monday while answering 10 questions on the bills as part of moves to sensitise Nigerians on the proposed tax law that has continued to draw criticisms in some parts of the country. Recall that President Bola Tinubu in July this year approved a new national minimum wage of N70,000 for workers, pushing it up…

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has secured an agreement with Dangote Refinery to lift products directly. IPMAN National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this in Abuja on Monday after a meeting of the National Working Committee of the Association. He said the partnership will ensure steady, and affordable supply of PMS products nationwide. Girima said After meeting with Aliko Dangote and his management team in Lagos, “we’re pleased to announce that Dangote Refinery has agreed to supply IPMAN with PMS, AGO, and DPK directly for distribution to our depots and retail outlets.” Garima urged IPMAN members to support…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members in states that are yet to commence the implementation of the new minimum wage to commence an indefinite strike, beginning from December 1, 2024 The directive is part of the resolutions of the NLC after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the weekend. “The NEC notes with deep frustration the persistent delay and outright refusal by some state governments to implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. This betrayal by certain governors and government officials across the country flies in the face of both legality and morality, as workers continue…

Russia and Ukraine launched record drone attacks on each other despite a phone call reported by the Washington Post from US President-elect Donald Trump urging Russian President Vladimir Putin not to escalate the conflict. Trump’s election to the White House has the potential to upend the almost three-year conflict and has thrown into question Washington’s multi-billion dollar support for Kyiv, crucial to its defence. The Republican said on the campaign trail that he could end the fighting within hours and has indicated he would talk directly with Putin — a major break from the approach adopted by President Joe Biden.…