Author: Vardiafrica

Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, says it will take decades for the north-west to be free from the menacing security challenge. The Sultan spoke in Katsina on Monday at the ‘Inaugural north west peace and security summit’. “What we must do is challenge these bandits because we all know the consequences of banditry and insurgency on our lives,” the Sultan said. “But it will take decades to get out of it if at all we get out of it. We all know the consequences and the problems. The monarch expressed the readiness of traditional rulers in the region to…

Former council chairpersons from 21 of the 23 LGAs in Rivers have led protests in their respective council areas. Last week, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas. This followed the end of the three-year tenure of the council chairpersons. Despite the governor’s directive, some of the former LGA chairpersons reportedly attempted to resume duties at the council secretariat, but were chased away by youths The development heightened the political tension in Rivers as residents protested at some of the LGA secretariats. Police officers fired multiple shots to disperse…

Police authorities have beefed up security at the two palaces in Kano’s metropolitan area, deploying additional armed personnel to maintain order and ensure the safety of the rival emirs, amidst ongoing tensions In a phone conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, the outgoing Commissioner of Police, AIG Usaini Gumel, verified the information, confirming the development in an exclusive interview. Gumel said, “Equipped and armed personnel have been deployed to handle any unforeseen circumstances around the identified areas.” AIG Gumel revealed that the deployment is a proactive measure to preempt potential security breaches and maintain a tranquil…

Solid Minerals Development Minister, Dr. Dele Alake, presented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a gold bar, sourced from artisanal and small gold miners and refined by the Solid Minerals Development Fund to meet the London Bullion Market Association Good Delivery Standard. Alake, during the event, praised President Tinubu for supporting reforms in the solid minerals sector, assuring that the National Gold Purchase Program (NGPP) would enhance the country’s reserves and boost the naira’s value.  Alake explained to President Tinubu that this event marked the first commercial transaction under the NGPP, a centralised offtake scheme supported by a decentralised network of…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it will deliver the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline project by August 2024 — a shift from the previous date announced. Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer of NNPC, spoke on Saturday during an inspection tour of the OB3 pipeline River Niger crossing operation in Delta, according to a statement by Olufemi Soneye, the firm’s chief corporate communications officer. Speaking after the tour, Kyari expressed delight at the breakthrough, which signals the imminent completion of the project. “This is a major project of monumental value to our country. What this means is that this is the…

Following allegations of exposure of sensitive data of citizens, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has assured the public that the data of Nigerians has not been compromised NIMC gave the assurance in a statement signed by its head of corporate communications, Kayode Adegoke, on Saturday. Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise, had on Thursday raised an alarm over its discovery of the sale of national identification numbers (NINs), bank verification numbers (BVNs), and other personal data of Nigerians on a website for as low as N100. The organisation claimed that a website known as ‘AnyVerify.com.ng’ was found to be…

President Bola Tinubu says Nigerian Civil Servants who relocated Abroad and still receive salaries will be punished. The President said this at the 2024 Civil Service Week Award and Gala night in Abuja, Nigeria. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, President Tinubu said that while it is heartening to hear that measures have been taken to address the issue, the government must ensure those responsible are held accountable and restitution is made. He said; “culprits must be made to refund the money they have fraudulently collected and their supervisors and Department Heads must also…

The execution of the Ubeta Field Development Project by TotalEnergies Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will create thousands of jobs in the country and catalyse the economy, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) said on Thursday. The Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, stated this at the signing of the Final Investment Decision (FID) by the project promoters and their contractors, in Abuja. The Ubeta Field Development Project is being developed under Oil Mining Licence (OML) 058, with an expectation to produce 300 million standard cubic feet…

French superstar Kylian Mbappe has unveiled a specially designed mask he will wear for the remainder of Euro 2024 following a broken nose sustained in France’s opening match. The French captain suffered the injury during his team’s 1-0 victory over Austria on Monday. The 25-year-old forward was spotted at France’s training base in Paderborn on Wednesday, sporting a protective covering over his nose. Initially, he trained separately from the rest of the squad but later joined them for shooting drills. By Thursday, Mbappe was training with a new mask adorned in the tricolore colors of the French flag. However, UEFA…

Following Thursday’s Federal High Court’s ruling setting aside the steps taken in repealing the Kano Emirates Council Law, the state government has ordered deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero to vacate Nassarawa Mini Palace At a press conference, the Kano State Attorney General (AG), Haruna Isah Dederi, emphasised the need for the renovation of the facility which is solely owned by the state government. Dedire affirmed that the ruling of the Kano High Court validates the actions of the state government, noting that Emir Muhammad Sanusi remains the emir of the prestigious Kano Emirate. He said by implication, Aminu Ado Bayero…