Author: Vardiafrica

Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday approved an additional N50,000 support for workers for the month of May as part of efforts to cushion the prevailing economic hardship, particularly the impact of rising fuel prices across the country. The governor made the announcement at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration themed “Insecurity, Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” held on Friday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena. He reiterated that the intervention underscores his administration’s resolve to ensure that Lagos remains not only a functional city but one that works for its residents, especially the workforce that drives its growth and development.…

Speaking during the NDDC Procurement Policy Reform and Digitisation Stakeholders Sensitisation and Training Summit in Imo State, the NDDC Director, Procurement, Dr Chuks Osuji, said the policy reform and digitisation initiative was a critical step towards improving workflow, eliminating inefficiencies and ensuring transparency, efficiency and accountability in the Commission’s procurement process. Osuji described the reform as an important initiative that would facilitate efficient workflow, eliminate the tedious analogue procurement process and curb nepotism and corruption in the system. He explained: “This effort is part of a broader commitment to modernize our procurement practices, which reduces inefficiencies and ensures value for…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its website, listing David Mark as the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary following the judgement of the supreme court. The development, spotted on Thursday evening, reverses INEC’s earlier decision in early April to remove the Mark-led executive from its portal, citing the ruling of an appeal court on the leadership crisis in the ADC. The Mark-led faction of the ADC and Nafiu Bala, a former national vice-chairman of the party, have been laying claim to its leadership. However, earlier today, the supreme court…

The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved the adoption of 112 as the National Emergency Number at all levels and across relevant agencies as part of measures to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency lifeline and build a unified and coordinated national response to emergencies. Council also approved the establishment of a multi-agency implementation committee and programme coordination led by the Office of the Vice President and National Communications Commission (NCC). The approval was part of decisions taken against the 157th meeting of NEC held virtually and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The Vice President said the 112 emergency lifeline had become…

The Supreme Court has set aside an earlier directive mandating the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo ante bellum in its ongoing leadership dispute, ruling that the order was improperly issued. In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction by issuing the directive after it had already dismissed the substantive appeal before it. The court described the action as “unnecessary, unwarranted, and improper,” emphasizing that such an order could not validly arise from a…

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have declared an indefinite strike, beginning from May 1, over stalled negotiations with the Federal Government. According to a letter dated April 30 from NASU general secretary and SSANU president, Mohammed Ibrahim, the unions said the industrial action will start at midnight. “With the agreement not concluded as of April 30, 2026, and with no new offer, the strike action shall commence by 12:00 am on May 1, 2026,” they said in the letter addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji…

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Minister of Power.  Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate. “The nomination has been transmitted to the Senate for screening and confirmation in accordance with the Constitution,” the statement read in part. Tegbe’s nomination comes after the resignation of Adebayo Adelabu, who stepped aside to pursue his governorship bid in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 election. Like his predecessor, Tegbe is also from Oyo State. He is a fiscal and economic reform expert with over 35…

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Delivering the majority judgment on Thursday, Justice Stephen held that the national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, last year, was in defiance of an existing judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered by Justice James Omotosho The apex court berated the Turaki-led group for going on to another court of coordinate jurisdiction to secure an order, instead of going on appeal It described the move as an abuse of court process. The majority…

King Charles has said that he “won’t see the long-distant future”. He made this statement while delivering a speech in the presence of A-listers in New York during the latest stop of his state visit to the US. The King, who has bravely battled cancer after a diagnosis in 2024, was speaking at a “Greater Together” event in New York. Celebrities were in attendance at the event, including Lionel Richie, Anna Wintour, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Katherine Jenkins, model Iman, and Donatella Versace joined at auction house Christie’s in New York. The party was held to showcase UK’s cultural importance across the States – in…

The NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC Limited, has successfully completed the River Niger Crossing of the 130-kilometre Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Gas Pipeline, marking a major milestone in the expansion of Nigeria’s national gas transmission network. The successful crossing unlocks the full potential of the OB3 Pipeline, a strategic infrastructure designed to transport up to 2 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, significantly strengthening energy availability, enhancing supply reliability, and accelerating national economic development. Executed approximately two kilometres beneath the River Niger riverbed, the technically complex crossing was delivered by the NNPC project team…