Author: Vardiafrica

The UK government is planning a new law in England to stop anyone under the age of 16 buying energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, and Prime Energy from shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online in a bid to prevent childhood obesity, anxiety and disrupted sleep. “High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children’s hands,” said Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, who is in support of the ban. “This is a common-sense, evidence-based step to protect children’s physical, mental, and dental health,” she added. According to ministers, a ban could prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and help prevent issues…

The Nigerian government has unveiled the Electronic, Online, or Non-Traditional Consumer Lending Regulations (Consumer Lending Regulation) 2025, which addresses longstanding complaints concerning the activities of Digital Money Lenders and Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) popularly known as loan sharks. Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday. Non-compliant operators of the new regulations face sanctions, which include fines of up to N100 million or 1 per cent of turnover, as well as potential disqualification of directors for up to five years. FCCPC said the regulations take effect…

President Bola Tinubu says his government has already met its annual revenue target, months ahead of schedule, and without borrowing. Speaking to members of the Buhari Organisation led by former Nasarawa governor Tanko Al-Makura, Tinubu said non-oil revenues were driving growth, allowing the government to stabilise the naira and avoid reliance on debt. He says that with those gains, Nigeria had no need to fear “whatever Trump is doing on the other side.” Tinubu recalled his early political alliance with former President Muhammadu Buhari, promising to build a “Buhari House” in Abuja as a national monument.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued a stern response to Nyesom Wike and his allies, vowing to uphold discipline in the party and stressing that they will not succumb impunity. Speaking on behalf of the governors, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said at the inauguration of the National Convention Planning Committee on Tuesday that they were prepared to confront any attempt to derail the party’s progress. His comments followed renewed threats from Wike’s camp, which has been challenging the party’s National Elective Convention scheduled for November…

Number one Best Workplace in Banking in Nigeria and recognised as Africa’s most agile company, Sterling Bank Limited celebrated the first anniversary of SeaBaas, the revolutionary core banking system designed and built in Africa. In just twelve months since its go-live, SeaBaas has processed over 2 billion transactions, reduced processing times by about 60%, and driven a 66% surge in customer adoption, setting new benchmarks for scale, efficiency, and reliability in financial technology. Since launch, the platform has powered Sterling’s digital ecosystem, OneBank, SterlingPro, Switch, Specta, and more, while enabling fintech integrations, agent banking networks, and third-party solutions. With zero…

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that the establishment of state police is unavoidable as part of efforts to strengthen security across the country. Speaking on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a delegation of prominent Katsina indigenes led by Governor Dikko Radda, Tinubu said the federal government is committed to confronting insecurity head-on.The president directed security agencies to reassess their operations in Katsina State, which has witnessed a spike in banditry, and disclosed that advanced military equipment and surveillance technology would be deployed. He also revealed plans to enhance the capacity of newly recruited…

The Federal Government says several Nigerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad are facing financial and operational challenges, ranging from unpaid staff salaries to mounting debts owed to landlords and service providers. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He acknowledged that the difficulties have hindered the smooth running of embassies and consulates in different countries. “The ministry is not unaware of the restrictions that financial limitations have placed on the smooth running of the missions, including the inability to pay salaries of locally recruited staff, financial obligations to service providers, rent…

‎The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on Tuesday confirmed that 12 people were injured out of the 583 passengers on board the Asham train that derailed in Abuja.‎‎The Director General of the NSIB, Captain Alex Badeh, disclosed this while giving updates on the ongoing investigation into the remote cause of the derailment.‎‎He explained that an Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) has been appointed to lead the probe, working alongside relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Railway Corporation.‎‎According to him, the team has already taken evidence-protection measures, such as securing the site and preserving critical data, including CCTV footage and other materials that could help…

China is expected to unveil what it claims is “the most powerful laser air defence system in the world” during a major military parade in Beijing tomorrow to mark 80 years since the end of World War II. The highly anticipated event will be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, with lasers set to take centre stage in the showcase of new weapons by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Rehearsals in the Chinese capital revealed the system mounted on an eight-wheeled truck, covered under a green tarpaulin. Once revealed, it is expected to demonstrate…

Angola’s planned 30,000-barrel-per-day Cabinda oil refinery, the first to be built since independence a half-century ago, will begin producing fuel by year-end, the Southern African country’s oil and gas minister said on Monday. The project, which will be Angola’s second oil refinery, will help make sub-Saharan Africa’s No.2 crude producer less dependent on costly fuel imports amid government efforts to eliminate fuel subsidies that have triggered deadly protests. “Today we can confirm that the Cabinda refinery is entering its decisive phase and that by the end of the year, Angola will have the first commercial derivatives produced at this unit,”…