Author: Vardiafrica

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.…

The Federal Government is set to roll out 10,000 electric tricycles for use as part of a broad plan to ease public transportation across Nigeria. The tricycles will be distributed by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in August, 2026 for use across the northeast region and beyond. The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who disclosed this during a courtesy call by The Transporters For Tinubu / Shettima 2027, said the President “has approved the replication of the initiative in other parts of the country by the various regional development commissions.” He noted that the priority of the administration of…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has handed over official residential accommodation and supporting facilities built for the 16-Brigade, Nigerian Army, at its base in Ayama-Ogbia, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Speaking during the handover ceremony, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that, as an interventionist agency, the Commission was always prepared to support security agencies because there can be no development without peace. Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Director, Bayelsa State Office, Engr. Godknows Alamieyeseigha, stated that the construction of the Nigerian Army Base was undertaken to support the army and boost security…

Nigeria has announced plans to roll out a National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System, describing it as a critical national infrastructure that will enhance security, commerce, emergency response and digital service delivery nationwide. Speaking at a workshop on the National Digital Alphanumeric Postcode System in Abuja, themed “Operationalising the Nigerian Digital Postcode for National Security and Public Safety”, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the initiative could become one of the most significant achievements of his tenure. He noted that Nigeria’s longstanding challenge of imprecise addressing has affected security operations, emergency services, commerce and government planning for…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable development in the Niger Delta region through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives to support vulnerable groups across the Niger Delta region. Speaking during a courtesy call by the reigning Miss World Nigeria 2026, Miss Tamunosoye Karibi George, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the Commission believes in partnerships with governments, non-governmental organisations, and development-focused stakeholders. He disclosed that the NDDC would explore avenues for collaboration with the beauty queen’s non-governmental organisation to support programmes that target the…