Author: Vardiafrica

Trial judge James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to remove Biafra agitator Nnamdi Kanu from the courtroom over his unruly behaviour. Mr Omotosho gave the order following Mr Kanu’s insistence that the judgement, scheduled for delivery, would not proceed. The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stood his ground and refused to move out of the courtroom despite the pleadings by the SSS officers for the defendant to comply with the court order. Mr Omotosho then stood down the matter and directed the security officers…

Super Falcons and Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has won the 2025 Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive year. The announcement was made during the prestigious award ceremony taking place at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Rabat, Morocco. The 24-year-old edged out Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini to win the award and reaffirm her dominance as Africa’s top goalkeeper. At Paris FC, she helped lift the Coupe de France Féminine, and also played a key role in the Super Falcons’ record-extending 10th WAFCON title, keeping four clean sheets and earning the…

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Birnin Kebbi, capital of Kebbi state, to meet families of the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga. Shettima arrived the state on Wednesday afternoon on President Bola Tinubu’s directive. Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima’s spokesperson, said the vice-president was received by Nasiru Idris, state governor; state officials; traditional rulers; and security chiefs on the trip. Tinubu had directed Shettima to visit the state and reassure parents and guardians of the kidnapped girls that the federal government is committed to securing their swift and safe return. “The President has made it clear that bringing these…

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has fined Qatar Airways the sum of N5 million for violating consumer rights. Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Directorate of the Authority, Michael Achimugu made this know on his X handle, formerly known as Twitter on Wednesday. He disclosed that letters of investigation (LOI) written to the airline over other cases may lead to further sanctions if not treated satisfactorily. “Glad to announce that, today, the NCAA has sanctioned @qatarairways to the tune of five million naira being penalty for consumer protection-related infractions. In addition, the letters of investigation (LOI) written to the…

Ahead of the judgment of the Abuja Federal High Court, scheduled for November 20, 2025, Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused the Attorney General of the Federation, Director General of the Department of State Services, DSS, and two witnesses of criminal perjury in the course of his trial. Kanu made the accusation in a direct criminal complaint filed at a Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on November 13, 2025. A statement issued by Njoku Jude Njoku, Esq., for the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Global Defence Consortium, identified the two witnesses named…

The tiny Caribbean nation of Curacao became the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday as Haiti booked their return to the tournament for the first time in 52 years along with Panama. A nerve-shredding finale to the CONCACAF qualifying campaign saw Curacao — with a population of just 156,000 — squeeze into next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston. Haiti, meanwhile, who last appeared in the World Cup in 1974, also completed an improbable qualification campaign with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua. Ironically, Haiti…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has asked Nigerians to hold the Federal Government responsible if it embarks on an indefinite strike over non-completion of the ongoing renegotiation. Coordinator of ASUU Lagos Zone, Prof. Sola Nassir, made the declaration at a briefing at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) to inform Nigerians on progress about the ongoing renegotiation between government and the union. According to him, the ultimatum of four weeks to complete the renegotiation issued by the union is less than 72 hours and ASUU National Executive Council (NEC) will meet to take a decision. In October, the…

Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo attended a White House black-tie dinner alongside the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night. Speaking ahead of the event, US President Donald Trump said it was an “honour” to host Ronaldo, whose starring role in the Saudi football league has seen him become a face of the country’s modernisation drive. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman wants to reduce the country’s dependence on oil revenues by diversifying into other areas including sports and tourism. A White House official confirmed earlier in the day that Ronaldo would attend, but did not say if he…

President Bola Tinubu has asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State on Wednesday to sympathise with the state government and assure parents and guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their quick release. President Tinubu also sent his condolences to the military over the death of the gallant soldiers and Brigadier General Musa Uba, who paid the ultimate price while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno state. The President, who the military authorities have fully briefed about the two incidents, expressed sadness over the abduction of the schoolgirls, despite intelligence warnings of a possible…

Rapper Nicki Minaj brought her star power to the United Nations to draw global attention to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, teamed up with President Donald Trump’s U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz to speak at an event hosted by the United States Mission to the United Nations that spotlighted religious violence and the killings of Christians in the most populous African nation. The rap mogul said she wanted to speak out against injustice and stand up for people who are persecuted for their beliefs. “In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from…