Author: Vardiafrica

Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, has criticised Nigeria’s level of public health investment, describing it as insufficient to address the country’s longstanding healthcare challenges. Speaking during a media roundtable on Wednesday, June 4, Gates said the low budgetary allocation to health is a major factor behind the country’s high rates of maternal and child mortality. He revealed that he had raised the issue directly with President Bola Tinubu, urging the Nigerian government to increase its health spending. “Well, the amount of money Nigeria spends on health care is very, very small,” Gates said. “I don’t know why you…

President Donald Trump is resurrecting the travel ban policy from his first term, signing a proclamation Wednesday night preventing people from a dozen countries from entering the United States. The countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. In addition to the ban, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, there will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. “I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” Trump said in his…

The Ondo state election petition tribunal on Wednesday affirmed the victory of Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16, 2024, governorship election. The tribunal dismissed petitions submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Alliance (AA) against Aiyedatiwa’s election, citing a lack of merit and insufficient evidence. Delivering the lead judgment, Benson Ogubu, one of the judges, said the allegations of academic certificate forgery, over-voting, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act were not substantiated by the petitioners. Ogbudu said the tribunal found the evidence presented by…

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated the 180MW Afam II Power Plant located in Oyigbo, Rivers State. The plant was completed by Africa’s largest private power business, Sahara Power Group, in partnership with Crescendough Nigeria Limited—reinforcing the critical role of private-sector collaboration in driving sustainable energy solutions in the country. Sahara Power Group, a subsidiary of the global energy and infrastructure conglomerate Sahara Group, and Crescendough Nigeria Limited completed the project, which was conceived, managed, and delivered in 16 months—using predominantly Nigerian expertise.Tinubu, who inaugurated the plant virtually from Abuja, described the project as an important addition to the national…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate release of ₦2 billion for the reconstruction of homes destroyed by the recent flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger State. Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the presidential intervention on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the flood-ravaged community. The flood, which struck Mokwa on May 28, claimed over 200 lives, displaced hundreds, and caused widespread destruction to property and infrastructure. In addition to the ₦2 billion reconstruction fund, President Tinubu also approved the immediate dispatch of 20 truckloads of rice to assist affected families. “The President’s heart is with the people of Mokwa,”…

Following the devastating flood that left more than 200 people dead, destroyed homes, and displaced hundreds of people in Mokwa, Niger State, Vice-President Kashim Shettima has now arrived in the area to commiserate with the victims of the natural disaster. Triggered by torrential rainfall, the disaster has resulted in the deaths of at least 175 persons, with more than 100 still missing and 121 others injured. The floodwaters submerged more than 3,000 homes, destroyed critical infrastructure, and displaced thousands of residents. The flooding, which lasted approximately five hours, overwhelmed the town, washing away homes, vehicles, and even a tank truck.…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a legal request at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to restrain Professor Pat Utomi from making further public statements or organizing gatherings in support of his newly formed shadow government. Professor Utomi, a political economist, on May 5 unveiled what he described as the Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government, a virtual initiative intended to serve as a “credible opposition” to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The DSS, however, views the move as unconstitutional and a potential threat to national security. In a suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/937/2025, the DSS asked the court to…

The Federal Government has warned tertiary institutions, notably universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, against establishing and operating satellite campuses that are not approved by the Federal Ministry of Education. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a statement on Wednesday, directed the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE) and National Colleges of Education (NCCE) to ensure strict compliance with the directive to avoid sanctions. The Minister expressed serious concern over the growing trend of unregulated and unjustified establishment of satellite campuses by Federal Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education, stating that severe sanctions await…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared two more persons wanted in connection with an alleged multi-million naira fraud involving the Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX), a digital trading platform. The suspects, identified as Folashade Odelana and Bamidele Ayodele Abiodun, were accused of orchestrating fraudulent activities that reportedly led to significant financial losses for unsuspecting investors In a notice published across its official social media platforms on Wednesday, June 4, the anti-graft agency asked members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward. The EFCC emphasised its commitment to tracking down individuals…

The federal government has launched the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence (AI) scaling hub in partnership with the Gates Foundation to accelerate the responsible adoption of AI technologies in health, education, and agriculture. The initiative was announced on Monday, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the federal ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy and the Gates Foundation in Abuja. According to the ministry, the hub is supported by a $7.5 million commitment from the Gates Foundation over three years. The ministry said the hub is expected to deploy mature AI solutions that improve lives and create opportunities…