Author: Vardiafrica

Like the Senate, the House of Representatives has invoked the provision of paragraph 17 (3), Part 1, fifth schedule to the constitution for the removal from the Office of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, FCT, Umar Danladi.  Hon. Julius ihonvbere who moved the motion drew strength from paragraph 17 (3), PT 1, Fifth Schedule of the Constitution and section 22(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap , that the President is mandated to act on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate and House of Representatives for the removal of…

The state-owned Port Harcourt Refinery has officially started producing petroleum products. This development was announced by Olufemi Soneye, the spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, on Tuesday. Soneye also confirmed that truck loading operations would commence today. In his statement, Soneye added that efforts are underway to bring the Warri Refinery back into operation. “Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.

A federal judge has dismissed a major case against Donald Trump that alleged he illegally sought to overturn the 2020 election. Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who brought the criminal case against Trump, had asked to have the charges dropped, citing a Justice Department policy that bans the prosecution of a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed the case “without prejudice”, meaning the charges could be refiled after Trump finishes his second term. Smith has also asked to have his case charging Trump with improperly storing classified documents dismissed. Trump had pleaded not guilty in both cases “It has long…

Umar Damagum, the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a bye-election to fill “vacant” seats in the Rivers state house of assembly. Damagum’s demand is contained in a letter dated December 12, 2023, addressed to Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman. In the letter seen by TheCable, the electoral umpire acknowledged receipt of the document on November 13, 2024. BACKGROUND In October 2023, Ehie Edison, a member loyal to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, was elected speaker of the factional assembly after his removal as house leader by lawmakers led by Martin…

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced on Monday that the country plans to launch four satellites as part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. President Tinubu said this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 25th Anniversary of Nigeria in Space in Abuja. The anniversary celebration was organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the Defence Space Administration (DSA). President Tinubu, represented by Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, stated that space was previously exclusive to developed countries, but the foresight of Nigerian…

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has stated that the Nigerian government requires additional borrowing to finance its budget, despite some ministries, departments, and agencies exceeding their revenue targets. Edun made this remark during an interactive session with the Senate Joint Committees on Finance, National Planning, and Economic Affairs regarding the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper. He emphasised that borrowing should be executed productively and efficiently, contingent upon the Senate’s approval for adequate budget funding. Similarly, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, pointed out that the borrowing plans outlined in the…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed excitement over the third quarter (Q3) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), assuring Nigerians of better economic output as the economy continues to expand. According to the NBS, Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.46 percent, compared to the 3.19 percent growth recorded in the second quarter. The top contributing sectors to GDP in Q3 2024 were Agriculture (28.65 percent), ICT (16.35 percent), Trade (14.78 percent), Manufacturing (8.21 percent), Crude Oil (5.57 percent), Finance and insurance (5.51 percent), and Real Estate (5.43 percent). Year-on-year, the economy grew by…

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has said the probe instituted by the Federal Government to identify civil servants receiving salaries after relocating abroad is still ongoing. She said this on Monday in Abuja at a briefing to celebrate her 100 days in office and stock-taking of her stewardship in the civil service. She said that the process had not been swept under the carpet and that government had sustained the momentum to ensure workers who left the country in search of greener pastures abroad are no longer drawing salaries from the system.…

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, on Monday led the leadership and members of the House in a remarkable action to commemorate this year’s celebration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Majority Leader of the House, Hon. (Prof) Julius Ihonvbere; Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, and several other members of House and senior aides, Speaker Abbas led a walk against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Prominent participants in the exercise include Minister…

Esther Didi Walson-Jack, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), has celebrated her 100 days in office with a series of ground-breaking initiatives aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s civil service. Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in July and inaugurated in August, her tenure has been marked by bold steps to actualize the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Speaking at a Recognition Dinner in Abuja for the 332 newly-promoted directors, Mrs Walson-Jack emphasized their pivotal role in driving reforms and setting new benchmarks for governance. “Your promotion heralds the beginning of a more challenging yet fulfilling phase where your influence and…