Author: Vardiafrica

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has picked Nov. 14 and 18 for Nigeria’s final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against the Republic of Benin and Rwanda. A statement on Tuesday by NFF, Match-day 5 clash with Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Nov. 14 will kick off at 8 p.m., Nigeria time. CAF has appointed Issa Sy from Senegal as the referee, his compatriots Djibril Camara, Nouha Bangoura and El Hadji Amadou Sy will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official, respectively. Rene Williams Sere…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expressed serious concerns over ongoing disruptions in online banking services across Nigeria, which have impacted millions of customers. In a statement released by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello on Tuesday, the commission stated that banks must “maintain acceptable levels of functionality and reliability,” adding that these disruptions are preventing access to funds, payments, and essential transactions, and have had severe effects on individuals and businesses nationwide. The statement said, “Under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, bank customers have specific rights to…

Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the house of representatives, has apologised for assaulting Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver. Ikwechegh, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made headlines for slapping and hurling insults at Abuwatseya. In a viral video, Ikwechegh is seen in a heated exchange with the driver whom he accused of disrespect for asking him to approach the car to receive his package. The incident occurred on October 27 in the Maitama district of Abuja. The federal capital territory (FCT) police command had said Ikwechegh was in its custody for questioning. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the lawmaker…

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has blamed the finance ministry for the ongoing strike that has disrupted the resumption of academic activities on campuses. On October 28, non-teaching staff unions in federal universities began an indefinite nationwide strike over withheld salaries. The federal government, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, had withheld the salaries of university staff who participated in an eight-month strike in 2022. In October 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of four months of the withheld salaries of public university teaching staff. Left out, non-teaching staff unions including SSANU and NASU accused the government of unfair treatment…

Ghana could buy petroleum products from Nigeria’s Dangote Oil Refinery once the facility is operating at full capacity, cutting more expensive exports from Europe, the head of the country’s oil regulator said on Monday. This could end monthly fuel imports from Europe of $400 million, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, chairman of the National Petroleum Authority, Ghana said at the OTL Africa Downstream oil conference in Lagos. “If the refinery reaches 650,000 bpd a day capacity, all that volume cannot be consumed by Nigeria alone, so instead of us importing as we do right now from Rotterdam, it will be much easier for…

In a bid to reposition the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) for greater efficiency and effectiveness, President Bola Tinubu, has unveiled a comprehensive 4-year strategic plan aimed at transforming the National Lottery Trust Fund operations and maximizing impact on GOOD CAUSES across Nigeria. The event, held at the Aso Villa Banquet Hall in Abuja, marked a significant milestone in NLTF’s history. Speaking on behalf of President, Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, expressed confidence in the strategic document being unveiled, emphasizing its potential to enhance the federal government’s outreach to marginalized communities “This move is…

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has emerged the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or award, beating competition from Real Madrid trio of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal. The Spanish international becomes the second Premier League Player to win the coveted award in 16 years since Cristiano Ronaldo won it in 2008. It was a trophy-laden season for Rodri, lifting the Premier League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup with City, as well as Euro 2024 with Spain. Since Luka Modric won the award in 2018, Rodri is the first midfielder to win it. Lionel Messi has…

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has summoned judges involved in conflicting rulings on political cases in Rivers State A panel of the national judicial council will probe the judges, just as the CJN has ordered that the report be submitted this week. The panel will be headed by a former court of appeal justice and two heads of courts. The CJN has also summoned the chief judge of the federal high court for questioning on Tuesday This summon comes after formal complaints were filed with the council. The Chief Judge of the Rivers State High Court will also…

President Bola Tinubu has expressed concern over the prolonged blackout in northern Nigeria. In a statement on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu met with Adebayo Adelabu, the minister of power, and Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA) over the blackout. On October 22, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported power outage in the north-east, north-west and parts of north-central after 330-kilovolt (kV) Ugwaji–Apir double circuit transmission lines 1 and 2 tripped. Also, TCN said the Shiroro-Kaduna line was vandalised, leading to a reduction of bulk electricity to Kaduna, Kano and other major…

Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman has been ranked number 14 in the 2023 Ballon d’Or award which is holding in Paris, France.  The Atalanta forward narrowly missed out in joining Victor Osimhen to become the only Nigerians to have made the top 10 in the Ballon d’Or award. Osimhen was ranked in the 8th position last year. Lookman is however the only African player that made the award nomination list this year Lookman was in scintillating form as Atalanta won its first-ever European trophy last season, with the Nigerian scoring a hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. He scored…