Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Wednesday for Paris, France, on a private visit en route to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. In Addis Ababa, President Tinubu will join African leaders at the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State, scheduled from February 12th to 16th, 2025. The president will arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the African Union summit. While in France, President Tinubu will meet with his French counterpart, President Emmanuel Macron.

The Senate has issued a stern ultimatum to several top government agencies, warning that failure to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee over pending audit queries will result in arrest warrants and possible removal from office. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada issued the warning while expressing frustration over the continued defiance of key government agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Federal Inland Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji; Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL); Central Bank of Nigeria; Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Others named include the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission…

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has declared himself the best-ever player in the game, rating himself above bitter rival Lionel Messi; Argentina’s Diego Maradona; and the legendary Pele of Brazil. Debates over who will be regarded as the Greatest of all Time (GOAT) in football have been raging over the years, pitting mostly Ronaldo and Messi. Both have won 13 Ballon d’Ors – five for the Portuguese and eight for the Argentine football wizard. Before now, Ronaldo and Messi have been compared with Pele – who won three World Cups – and Maradona who scooped the 1986 edition of the competition.…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its proposed protest over the 50 per cent increase in telecommunication tariff. The decision was taken after the labour union met with the delegation from the Federal government led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on Monday. According to a statement signed by the Director, Information & Public Relations in the office of the SGF, Seguin Imohiosen, the meeting was aimed to maintain industrial harmony and to also protect the interest of Nigerians. He said that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke on…

The Police Service Commission says it does not have the Constitutional powers to determine the appointment or exit of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun According to the Commission, the clarification follows inquiries regarding the PSC’s recent directive for officers who have served over 35 years or reached 60 years of age to retire, in accordance with constitutional provisions. A statement signed by the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, emphasized that the Commission’s powers do not extend to the IGP. “The Police Service Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established under Section 153(m) of the 1999 Constitution of the…

The Nigerian government has officially sanctioned the establishment of the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation. This pivotal initiative aims to harness the substantial economic potential inherent in Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors through a framework of public-private partnerships (PPP). Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, announced the development on Monday after the Federal Executive Council, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja. She described the development as a major step towards transforming the nation’s creative landscape. “This initiative aims to propel Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries to new heights by developing…

President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Abuja signed into law a bill establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoni, Rivers State and pledged more support for the community. According to a statement signed by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Ogoni town of Tai will host the university. He said that during the signing ceremony at the State House, President Tinubu said the establishment of the university will further empower Ogoni citizens and provide more opportunities for participation and development. “Today marks a significant milestone in our national journey towards environmental justice, education and sustainable development “The…

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe on Friday received a delegation from the Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHIN), led by their new Managing Director, Mr. Jin Lee. The meeting was held at the Board’s Lagos liaison office and discussions focused on the firm’s in-country capacities, which include heavy fabrication and FPSO integration quayside at the SHI MCI free zone, Takwa Bay Lagos. The company sought the Board’s assistance to attract new projects to the facility, highlighting their experience to execute major oil and gas projects and pledging support to the…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a total of $1.07 billion in financing for healthcare sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) program, as well as a N4.8 billion allocation for HIV treatment, marking a significant investment in Nigeria’s health sector. The announcement was made by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who disclosed that the World Bank’s concessional financing arm, the International Development Association (IDA), has provided two concessional loans of $500 million each, along with $70 million in grant funding from other international bodies. The Coordinating…

As part of efforts to equip communities in the Niger Delta with the knowledge and skills necessary for conflict resolution in the region, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has organized a training programme for elders and leaders of the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo people. The ongoing five-day training programme which is taking place at Lekki Grand View Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, is to empower participants to contribute to nation-building through strengthening collaboration for positive impact. On Monday 3rd February, the training was for the Exco of the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) led by President General Worldwide Olorogun, Barrister…