Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu again on Friday dismissed allegations of either Christian or Muslim genocide in Nigeria, insisting that the country’s security challenges are driven by criminality and extremism, not religion. Tinubu made the remarks while declaring open the Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society’s (NASFAT) 8th Biennial Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja. The theme of the event was “Building Resilience in a Changing World: The Role of Faith and Community.” Represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the President said the Federal Government was working tirelessly to end terrorism across the country. Recall that…

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Saturday, declared its full operational readiness for timely and effective response to emergencies during the Yuletide season and beyond. A statement by the Agency declared the emergency response lines when its Director General, Zubaida Umar, led staff on a fitness exercise in Abuja. The exercise, which featured a route walk of about five kilometres, was aimed at promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and preparedness among staff in line with the Agency’s mandate as a frontline emergency coordination agency. Speaking at the end of the exercise, Umar expressed satisfaction with the fitness level,…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed the ex-gantry price of its premium motor spirit, also known as petrol, to N699 per litre. According to sources at the refinery, the price of the product was reduced by N129 from the previous price of N828 per litre. “The refinery reduced its petrol price to N699 per litre,” a source said. Also speaking to TheCable, Abubakar Garima, national president of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), confirmed that the refinery reduced its ex-depot price for petrol. “The refinery reduced the price to N699 per litre and told marketers that we can…

The former Labour and Productivity Minister, Chris Ngige, has entered a not guilty plea at the FCT High Court, Gwarimpa, Abuja, in the alleged use of his position while in office to confer undue advantage on associates through the award of multiple contracts amounting to N2,261,722,535.84. Justice Maryam Hassan ordered that Ngige be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of his bail application, scheduled for Monday, December 14. Ngige pleaded not guilty to eight charges, which include abuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund while serving as its supervising…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has been formally registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after receiving his party membership card at Government House, Port Harcourt. The Rivers State APC Chairman, Tony Okocha, who represented the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, presented the card to Fubara on Friday. Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara said his decision to join the APC was aimed at promoting unity and development in Rivers State. Fubara said aligning with the ruling party at the federal level became necessary to ensure political stability and accelerate development across the state. He noted that…

As the Federal Government intensifies efforts to attract new oil and gas investments, spur speedy development of fields and ensure reduction in the cost of production, Marconi.NG EPC Limited (Marconi), positioning itself as one the leading oil and gas service companies in West Africa, has pledged cost competitive and speedy delivery of projects and opportunities. The company made the commitment on Wednesday when officials of the Corporate Communications Division of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) led select journalists on a tour of some Port Harcourt-based oil and gas companies. Marconi, which is a wholly Nigerian entity acquired the assets of Saipem Contracting Nigeria’s Rumuolumeni Yard in May 2025. Speaking…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has proposed a university system that prioritises problem-solving and de-emphasises awarding degrees. Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd Convocation Lecture of the Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Ogbuku wondered how our universities had become more degree-awarding than problem-solving institutions. He spoke on the theme: “From Degree-Awarding to Problem-Solving Institutions: Retooling University Education for Nation-Building.” The NDDC Chief Executive Officer affirmed that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Ogbuku lamented: “We have built an academic culture where promotion is…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has confirmed an explosion on the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline, triggering emergency response efforts across affected communities in Delta State. The incident, which occurred on December 10, 2025, was reported around 17:50 hours near Tebijor, Okpele and Ikpopo communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom. In an official statement, the company said, “NNPC Limited confirms an incident involving an explosion reported at about 17:50 hours on 10th December 2025 near Tebijor, Okpele, and Ikpopo communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State.” The statement was signed by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Abuja, on Thursday. Preliminary checks by…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to strengthen and expand the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project to create over 38,250 new entrepreneurs and boost participation across key agricultural value chains. The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during a one-day workshop on Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation at the Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. The workshop, hosted by the LIFE-ND project, focused on the theme: “Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship in Nigeria for Food Systems Transformation.” Ogbuku, who was represented by the Acting Director of the NDDC Liaison Office…

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide protest for December 17 over the “degenerating security situation” across the country. In a notice issued to all state councils on December 10, after its national executive committee (NEC)-in-session meeting on December 4, the labour group condemned the rampant activities of bandits and kidnappers across the country. The group singled out the November 17 abduction of female students from a boarding school in Kebbi state. The NLC expressed outrage over the withdrawal of security personnel from the school shortly before the incident, describing it as a “dastardly and criminal” act that demands…