Author: Vardiafrica

The Edo State Government has ordered the immediate closure of three secondary schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area following intelligence reports of a planned kidnap attack targeting students. The directive followed a security alert issued by the Department of State Services (DSS), warning of a potential mass abduction of schoolchildren in Edo North Senatorial District. In a circular issued on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Enodolomwanyi Otamere, announced that the affected schools are Ososo Grammar School, Ososo Comprehensive High School and Makeke Secondary School. Otamere said the decision was based on security advisories from relevant agencies…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has stressed the need for increased investment in education as a key element in reorienting the children and laying the groundwork for a better future for Niger Deltans and Nigerians. Ogbuku spoke during the plenary session of the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa Branch, at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Conference Hall, Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The 2026 Law Week, with the theme “Securing the Future,” was attended by the renowned Kenyan lawyer and activist, Professor Patrick Lumumba,…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving elected prime minister, describing the milestone as a reflection of the confidence and trust reposed in him by the Indian people. In a statement issued on Tuesday by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Modi’s achievement followed three consecutive electoral mandates and underscored his dedication to public service, national development and global leadership. I warmly congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the historic milestone of becoming India’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister. This remarkable achievement reflects the enduring confidence and trust the people of India have reposed…

Fifteen graduate trainees of engineering and geology backgrounds on Friday at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, underwent commencement formalities for the Human Capacity Development (HCD) Training Programme of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) on underwater welding and commercial diving. The 12-month training is in respect of the 14.4-kilometre sectional replacement of pipeline infrastructure contract of the company under its oil mining lease (OML) 30 in Warri, Delta State, and comprises an intensive three-month foundational component at the PTI Training Centre and months of shallow water diving at Abraka and at sea in Burutu, before a final…

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered a nationwide enforcement operation against vehicles operating without registration plates or with concealed, altered, or defaced number plates. The directive was issued on Tuesday during the monthly strategic conference with senior police officers at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Centre in Abuja. Disu said the enforcement drive is part of efforts to strengthen security and curb criminal activities, warning that motorists violating vehicle registration laws will face sanctions. The police chief also announced the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones beginning June 15. According to him, the…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Emerging Public Health Threats and directed the immediate release of N10 billion as emergency intervention funding. The fund is expected to strengthen the operational readiness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and support critical national public health emergency response activities. A statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the task force would be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, with membership drawn…

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution to summon the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, alongside the Minister of Defence, Mr Christopher Musa; the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu, and the Director-General of the State Security Service (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, to appear before it to outline details of funds released to the security agencies in the last six months. Others invited include the service chiefs and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Mohammed Mohammed. The green chamber of the National Assembly also urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the recruitment of…

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with national commissioners, is meeting with chairmen and secretaries of political parties, ahead of the forthcoming Ekiti governorship election Tuesday’s engagement is one of the consultative meetings scheduled by the electoral umpire to review preparations for the Ekiti election. It is holding exactly eleven days to the governorship election, which is scheduled for June 20th, 2026. The meeting hopes to enable the political parties and the electoral umpire to put finishing touches on all the preparations for the Ekiti governorship election Amupitan Defends Appeal In his opening remarks, the INEC…

Minister of Power, Dr Joseph Tegbe, says Nigerians should not expect an overnight transformation in electricity supply, noting that the sector’s problems have accumulated over several decades. Speaking on Monday after his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja, Tegbe said reforms already underway would deliver gradual improvements across the power sector. Fcfffffcfffccffffffffcfffcfcrccffrxrcrcfrbcfrrccfdcfrdc r r He explained that while there are early signs of progress, longstanding issues affecting electricity generation, transmission and distribution require sustained interventions and consistent execution. “The challenges that have kept this sector below its potential were decades in the making. They will not be fully…

Authorities have begun an investigation into the train accident along the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor near Agbor in Delta State, which killed four persons. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi, said the investigation is to ascertain the cause of the incident. “A full investigation into the cause of the accident has commenced, while efforts will continue to account for all passengers and provide the necessary support to those affected,” the statement read. The ministry explained that four coaches capsized while one coach derailed. It said 482 persons were onboard,…