Author: Vardiafrica

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), comprising major national political figures, including a former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register its newly formed political party, All Democratic Alliance (ADA). The group is chaired by a former Senate President, David Mark. The development followed a meeting of the coalition in Abuja on May 6, 2025, according to a statement by the group dated May 19 and signed by Amaechi and Umar Ardo as the Chairman and Secretary of the New Platform Committee (NPC), respectively. The…

Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina has officially declared June 14, 2025, as “Igbo Day” across the state. The proclamation honours the vibrant Igbo community, whose roots trace back to southeastern Nigeria. With thousands of Igbo residents—some having lived in the state for over half a century—the community has become an integral part of North Carolina’s social, economic, and cultural fabric. In a statement signed by Governor Stein, he stated that Igbos in North Carolina are involved in many charitable causes and have contributed significantly to their economy. According to him, they thrive in education, law, medicine, information technology, and the arts, and they continue…

The Federal Government has closed its case in the ongoing trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu is being tried for terrorism and treason. Counsel to the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, announced that the prosecution has closed its case on Thursday This was after the 5th prosecution witness, PW-5, identified as EEE for security reasons, was led in evidence and cross-examined by Kanu’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Awomolo informed the court that after calling five witnesses in the trial, the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hascommissioned a host of projects, including 300-bed hospital, Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development and 100 CNG buses, Kafanchan township road among others. Tinubu made the commissioning on a one-day official visit to Kaduna State, saying the state is rising star in Nigeria’s development landscape, praising Governor Uba Sani for transforming a state once gripped by fear into a beacon of peace, growth, and unity. This was as he disclosed that, N100 billion has been voted for Kaduna’s light rail in the 2025 federal budget. Speaking during a grand civic reception in his honour at Murtala…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the visa centres for France, Belgium, and Italy situated at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in the Central Business District of Abuja. The enforcement operation was carried out with the support of personnel from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, following resistance from staff members at the centre during the sealing process. Sealing off the centre on Thursday, the Director, Surveillance and Investigations Department of FCCPC, Mrs Boladale Adeyinka, said the move was due to the failure of the centre to receive a letter of the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Kaduna State to commission developmental projects carried out by the state government under the administration of Governor Uba Sani. The President touched down at the Mando Military Airport in Kaduna State at 01:27 pm local time. President Tinubu was received by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; the host Governor, Uba Sani; and the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli. Other governors who received the president were: Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara),…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has arrived at the Senate for the hearing on the ₦1.48 trillion budget of the state. Ibas was accompanied by other key officials, including members of the economic team to appear before Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Rule in Rivers State. The Senate had weeks ago reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the people of Rivers State were not shortchanged following the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025. Details later

Justice Chizoba Orji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Thursday granted Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a ₦50m bail after she pleaded not guilty for alleged defamation. The female lawmaker was granted bail with one surety, who must have a landed property in Abuja and must be a responsible resident of the FCT The judge adjourned the case to September 23, 2025 for trial. Earlier, the lawmaker was arraigned by the Federal Government on three counts bordering on alleged defamation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. Security operatives were visible around…

Former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, received a remarkable gesture of goodwill during his visit to Ghana as President John Dramani Mahama offered him Ghanaian citizenship. Joshua, who arrived in the West African nation on June 13, 2025, was warmly welcomed at the Jubilee House in Accra on June 16, where he paid a courtesy visit to President Mahama. The British-Nigerian boxing icon was visibly moved by the reception, praising Ghana’s rich culture, warmth, and hospitality. In a symbolic and unexpected moment during the meeting, President Mahama offered Joshua the opportunity to become a Ghanaian citizen, saying, “If you want us…

The U.S. State Department said Wednesday it is restarting the suspended process for foreigners applying for student visas but all applicants will now be required to unlock their social media accounts for government review. The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles. In a notice made public Wednesday, the department said it had rescinded its May suspension of student visa processing but said new applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to “public” and allow them…