Author: Vardiafrica

Pope Leo XIV embarks Monday on an 11-day visit to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea for his first major international trip since becoming pontiff last year. From dialogue with Islam to peace efforts, inequality and human rights, the US-born pontiff will address a myriad of issues as he covers more than 18,000 kilometres (11,000 miles) across the African continent. Leo, who took over as head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics in May, will make 11 speeches, preside over seven masses and visit a dozen locations during the trip which lasts until April 23. The 70-year-old’s words and actions,…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sadness over the loss of soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, who were killed in a coordinated terrorist attack on their camp in Benisheikh, Borno State. The President also extended heartfelt condolences to the military and the families of the fallen soldiers, urging them to remain strong in the face of the loss. The Defence Headquarters confirmed the attack and the casualties, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday. According to the military, insurgents attempted to breach the facility’s defensive perimeter but were repelled by troops. It said the…

A faction of the African Democratic Congress, led by Senator David Mark, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking orders to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to reverse its decision deleting the party’s top officials from its records. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, follows the removal of the names of Mark, listed as National Chairman, and Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary, from INEC’s official portal on April 1. In a motion on notice dated April 7, the embattled chairman, through his counsel, Sulaiman Usman, SAN, prayed the court to issue a mandatory injunction directing the electoral body to immediately…

A former Ghanaian President and Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, Nana Akufo-Addo has arrived in Benin Republic for the April 12 Presidential Election. The former President was welcomed at Cotonou International Airport by the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin Republic, Amadou Diongue and Ghana’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakari Manaf. The Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission is responsible for coordinating a team of 20 long-term observers, 80 short-term observers and 25 young professionals who will be deployed on 12 April 2026 across…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has urged oil and gas operators to deepen their impact in host communities through stronger partnerships, structured governance, and sustained collaboration. According to a statement, the call was made at the 2nd KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa, where the board emphasised that effective implementation of host community frameworks is critical to long-term socio-economic development. KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust is a development initiative for 11 oil-bearing communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, established under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. Funded by a three per…

President Bola Tinubu has launched a new platform aimed at bridging the gap between government policies and the realities of doing business in Nigeria. The initiative, known as the Renewed Hope Enterprise Bridge, is designed to create direct and continuous engagement between policymakers and entrepreneurs across the country. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the launch in Abuja, the President said the platform was created to ensure that government policies are shaped by the real-life experiences of business owners. President Tinubu noted that for policies to be effective, they must reflect the day-to-day challenges faced by entrepreneurs.…

The Presidency on Thursday clarified controversy surrounding the approval of a ₦3.3 trillion plan by President Bola Tinubu, to settle verified legacy debts owed to Power Generation Companies (GenCos) between February 2015 and March 2025. The initiative, under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, aims to stabilise the power grid and improve electricity supply, with ₦223 billion already disbursed. A statement issued on Sunday by the special adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that implementation of the repayment plan has already begun, with 15 power plants already signed settlement agreements totalling ₦2.3 trillion. The…

The United States Department of State has authorised non-essential staff and family members to leave its embassy in Abuja, citing a worsening security situation across Nigeria. In an updated travel advisory issued Wednesday, the department warned Americans to reconsider travel to Nigeria starting April 8, 2026, due to rising concerns over crime, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, and inconsistent healthcare access. Nigeria remains under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” classification, while 23 states have now been placed under the stricter “Level 4: Do Not Travel” category. Newly added states to the high-risk list include Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, and Taraba, expanding…

Iran has warned foreign ships on Wednesday, April 8, that they will be “destroyed” if they attempt to cross the Strait of Hormuz without permission from Tehran. “You must receive permission from the Iranian Sepah Navy for passing through the Strait. If any vessel tries to transit without permission, will be destroyed,” an Iranian official was heard saying in audio shared with the Wall Street Journal by a crew member. The threat comes despite President Trump announcing late Tuesday that Iran agreed to the “COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” through which over a fifth of…

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was in Dakar on Wednesday, nearly a month after the body’s shock decision to strip Senegal of its AFCON title and award it to Morocco. Patrice Motsepe announced the trip at the end of March, stating that he would travel to Senegal and Morocco to emphasize the importance of “working together to grow African football”, as his organisation faces considerable criticism. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will receive Motsepe at the presidential palace later in the day, with a press conference to follow. His visit comes at a particularly tense time for…