Author: Vardiafrica

The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has intensified its campaign against drug abuse and cultism, warning students of the destructive consequences these vices pose to individuals and society. The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has intensified its campaign against drug abuse and cultism, warning students of the destructive consequences these vices pose to individuals and society. Speaking during a sensitisation programme at Community Secondary School, Oruma, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, urged students to resist peer pressure and avoid involvement in drugs or secret cult groups. He emphasised that such practices…

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered banks, fintechs, and other payment service providers to disclose their ultimate beneficial owners, localise payments transaction data, and comply with new market share limits designed to curb concentration risk. The far-reaching regulatory measures were contained in a circular dated June 15, 2026 and signed by CBN’s Director, Payments System Supervision Department, Dr. Rakiya Yusuf. The regulatory intervention represents one of the most significant interventions by the CBN in the payments industry in recent times, aiming at restructuring the country’s fast-growing digital payments ecosystem. The circular, addressed to Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks, Mobile…

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has directed the Katsina State Police Command to strengthen security measures around schools across the state to ensure the safety of students and staff. The directive was conveyed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Sulaiman Abdul, during a two-day operational tour of Katsina State. Speaking during the visit, the DIG said the police command had been instructed to intensify patrols, improve intelligence gathering and maintain a strong security presence around educational institutions. According to him, the measures were aimed at preventing violent crimes and creating a safe…

US President Donald Trump has backed a joint G7 leaders’ statement supporting the recent agreement reached between the United States and Iran, while calling for further negotiations to address Tehran’s ballistic missile programme and regional activities. I’m the boss,” Trump said as he strode in to the morning session of the last day of the three-day G7 summit, with the other leaders already in their seats. In a statement, issued at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, the group welcomed the memorandum of understanding expected to be signed by Washington and Tehran in Switzerland on Friday, describing it as an…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has emerged as the new Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, assuming the traditional title of Daufa VI. Ogbuku’s emergence was in accordance with the provisions of the Ayakoro Community Constitution. His installation came six months after the demise of the late Paramount Ruler. Before his elevation, he served as Deputy Paramount Ruler of the community. The transition process was conducted under the supervision of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, with Chief Micha Itekesi also…

The Senate has suspended its ongoing legislative recess and summoned lawmakers for an emergency plenary session to address urgent national issues, with particular focus on the country’s worsening security situation. In a notice issued by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, senators were directed to reconvene at the Senate Chamber, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The notice stated that the emergency sitting is convened on the directive of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to enable the upper chamber to consider matters requiring immediate legislative intervention. According to the communication, the…

Lionel Messi used the front of his white-and-blue, sweat-soaked jersey to wipe the tears from his eyes, a flood of emotions cracking his usually calm, confident demeanor after he gave Argentina an early lead in its World Cup opener against Algeria. Suddenly, any questions about Messi’s hamstring injury, or whether he could help Argentina become the third team to win consecutive World Cups — even as his 39th birthday approaches next week — had been answered. With a brilliant hat trick in a 3-0 win over Les Fennecs, Messi moved into a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the career scoring record at the…

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could become deadlier than the worst outbreak on record, which killed more than 11,000 people, says the head of Africa’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). ⁠The ⁠number of confirmed cases in ⁠the country has increased to 837, including 196 deaths, ‌government data showed on Tuesday “If we don’t stop the outbreak very soon, it will be worse than what we had in West Africa and eastern DRC,” Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said during a virtual meeting of African leaders and international donors in Burundi on Tuesday. Speaking to…

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja on Monday, June 15, 2026 dismissed an application filed by the counsel to a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq seeking the setting aside of the Bench Warrant and Warrant of Arrest issued against the former minister Farouq, alongside two others, Bashir Nura Alkali and Sani Nafiu Mohammed are to face prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of $1.3 million and N746.7 million…

The continuous improvement paradigm of the Dantsoho-led management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has received global acknowledgement as the World Bank  has named Nigeria’s Tin Can Island Port and Lagos Port in Apapa among the world’s top 20 most improved container ports over the last five years, The World Bank in its Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) for 2025 listed Tincan Island Ports Complex and Apapa Port Complexes in the category of Top 20 Port Improvement. The CPPI report, which is the sixth edition, evaluates container port performance based on vessel turnaround time and operational efficiency using global benchmark.…