Author: Vardiafrica

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has insisted that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is up and running, with loading operations in full swing. The Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mele Kyari, gave the confirmation at the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos on Wednesday. In a goodwill message at the event, Kyari extended invitation to human rights activist and lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, and all those in doubt, to join the NNPC Ltd on a tour of the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to verify their status. He also shed light on the controversy around products blending,…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that its Early Exit Package for staff of the apex bank is entirely voluntary and that participation is not mandatory. The CBN In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, assured staff and the public that no employee would be forced into early retirement under the scheme. She stressed that the programme provides an opportunity for eligible staff members who wish to exit the bank voluntarily, which is in alignment with CBN’s ongoing strategy to promote career development. The statement read, “The Central Bank of Nigeria…

The Senate on Wednesday set up a committee to to review the controversial Tax Reform Bills that are before the National Assembly. The Committee which is headed by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) will meet with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to address grey areas in the bills and revert to Senate before public hearing. The Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin disclosed this during plenary on Wednesday. Barau, who presided over the session, said that the executive arm of the government agreed with the Senate that there is need to resolve all the issues…

Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party was declared winner Tuesday of last week’s disputed elections, ushering in the southern African country’s first woman president after a disputed vote that the main opposition has already said it does not recognise. Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah took just over 57 percent of ballots followed by the candidate for the main opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) with 25.5 percent, the election authority announced. Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, becomes the first woman to rule the mineral-rich southern African country that has been governed by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) since independence in 1990. The November 27 election…

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly to address complaints about the tax bills. Tinubu’s transfer of the Tax Reform Bills to the National Assembly has been met with criticism. The action has set the president against some governors, with the northern region issuing the most strident protest. Some critics believe the legislation is biased against the north, while others contend that it would further impoverish Nigerians. To address these issues, President Tinubu has directed the Justice Ministry to investigate the complaints and collaborate with the National Assembly leadership to smooth out the rough edges of the bills.…

The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for appointment as Chief of Army Staff. The confirmation today followed the consideration of reports by the Chairman of the sense committee on Army, Sen. Yar’ adua, Abdulaziz Musa (Katsina Central). The committee’s recommendations were unanimously adopted by the upper chamber. Lieutenant General Oluyede was appointed to act as the Chief of Army Staff following the illness and subsequent death of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja

The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Ministry of Transportation to conduct a thorough investigation into recent boat mishaps in Nigeria. This is sequel to a motion of urgent national importance drawing attention to the recent boat mishap in Kogi state involving over 160 passengers, with only 24 rescued, approximately 54 confirmed dead, and an unknown number still unaccounted for. Honourable Unyime Idem who moved the motion, expressed worry that the recent surge in boat accidents has raised concerns about the safety of Nigeria’s waterways and the need for urgent intervention. Honourable…

South African Government has relaxed its visa rules for Nigerian tourists and business people, saying they can now apply for a visa without submitting a passport. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced this on Tuesday at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, which President Bola Tinubu attended. This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, President Ramaphosa said South Africa has simplified its visa processes to facilitate travel for Nigerian business people and tourists, with measures such…

The house of representatives has asked President Bola Tinubu to mandate Wale Edun, minister of finance, to unfreeze all accounts of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA) within 72 hours. The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary on Tuesday. This was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker, and 20 other lawmakers. The programmes under SIP include N-Power, conditional cash transfer (CCT), government enterprise and empowerment programme, and the home-grown school feeding initiative. The parliament said unfreezing the accounts of the NSIPA will enable the “smooth” recommencement of all the programmes. The…

Aero Contractors has announced a significant reduction in its airfares, lowering them to N80,000 for all domestic routes, down from the N110,000 previously charged. This price adjustment, part of a holiday initiative, is aimed at making air travel more accessible during the economic downturn. The announcement was made by Capt. Ado Sanusi, the airline’s Managing Director, on Tuesday while speaking to journalists at a media briefing at the airline’s office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to Sanusi, the decision was driven by the airline’s desire to give back to its…