Author: Vardiafrica

 Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) engaged in productive discussions towards collaboration in support of NLNG’s planned revamp and enhancement of key operational facilities in Trains 1 to 6 of the NLNG Plant. The initiative is aimed at improving asset performance and overall productivity. This took place during the Nigerian Content Stakeholders Retreat hosted last week at NLNG’s operational base at Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State. During the retreat, the General Manager Production, NLNG, Nnamdi Anowi outlined the company’s revamp programme named “Accelerated Asset Intervention (AAI).” He explained that the initiative is expected…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of Nigeria’s delegation to the US-Nigeria joint working group to deepen collaboration on security. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, announced the development in a statement on Thursday. According to the statement, Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), will lead the multi-stakeholder team. The formation of the joint working group was agreed upon during the recent trip to Washington DC by senior Nigerian officials. Members of the group include Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs; Mohammed Abubakar, minister of defence; Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior; and Bernard Doro,…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday took part in an extraordinary virtual summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened to address the unfolding political crisis in Guinea-Bissau. Joining other West African leaders via Zoom, President Tinubu engaged in high-level deliberations aimed at preserving stability and upholding constitutional order in the wake of recent developments in the country. The summit, held on 27 November 2025, came amid growing concerns over political tensions and security uncertainties in Guinea-Bissau. In a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian government expressed deep…

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday confirmed that 11,566 police personnel previously attached to VIPs, politicians, private individuals and special beats across Nigeria have been withdrawn and redeployed to regular policing duties. The action follows a direct presidential directive issued by President Bola Tinubu on 23 November 2025.Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Egbetokun described the move as a major step to address the long-standing manpower shortage on the streets and strengthen frontline operations at a time of rising insecurity. “The President has spoken and I will implement it to the letter. No governor, no friend, no…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has departed Guinea-Bissau, following the coup that led to the overtake of government in the West African country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed that Jonathan left on a special flight with members of his delegation and is safe. “Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is very safe and out of Guinea-Bissau. He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Ibm Chambas,” the spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said. Jonathan, who chairs the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission, was in the country monitoring last Sunday’s presidential and legislative elections…

 President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday unveiled a new program meant to bolster France’s armed forces by training thousands of volunteers aged 18 and 19 starting next year, part of a broader response to concerns over Russia’s threat to European nations beyond the war in Ukraine. The young volunteers will serve in uniform for 10 months in France’s mainland and oversea territories only, not in military operations abroad, Macron said in a speech at the Varces military base, which is located in the French Alps. “A new national service is set to be gradually established, starting from this summer,” Macron said.…

President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered additional recruitment into the armed forces. In a statement on Wednesday, the president said the police and the army are authorised to recruit more personnel. “The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, bringing the total to 50,000,” Tinubu said. The president noted that while he had previously approved the nationwide upgrade of police training facilities, the police authorities are by his declaration authorised to use various National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps as training depots. He added that officers being withdrawn from the very important (VIP) guard duties…

The senate has begun efforts to classify kidnapping as a terrorism offence, proposing that perpetrators be executed without the option of a fine. Lawmakers said the measure would be reflected in the Terrorism (Prevention) Act due to the rising insecurity across the country. Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, was mandated to ensure the resolution is incorporated into the act. The move followed a motion by Lola Ashiru, the deputy senate leader, who highlighted recent attacks in Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger state. During debate, senators expressed concerns at the rising frequency of abductions. Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, said kidnappers must face…

The Senate has dissolved its standing committees on Air Force, national security and intelligence with immediate effect. It also said that new committees would be reconstituted within one week. The decision came after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, expressed dissatisfaction with the committees’ oversight performance so far. It further directed chairmen of its standing committees on army, navy, defence, interior and police affairs to brief the senate within one week, during a closed-door session, on their ongoing efforts to reduce insecurity across the country and to justify their continued existence. The upper chamber also began a probe into the…

Military officers in Guinea-Bissau have taken control of the government, suspended the country’s electoral process and declared they will be in control “until further notice”. On Monday, President Umaro Embaló, who is seeking to re-election, and Fernando Dias, his main opponent, both declared victory in the country’s election even though the electoral commission had not released official results. As the country awaited official results, both sides claimed that their contenders exceeded the 50 percent threshold needed to win outright, eliminating the need for a run-off. In a statement on Wednesday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) noted that…