Author: Vardiafrica

There was a rowdy session in the Senate on Thursday following the screening of an ambassadorial nominee, Reno Omokri. The Senate’s screening session descended into a heated confrontation as two lawmakers exchanged harsh words over Omokri’s consideration. Tension broke out when a motion had already been placed on the floor recommending that Omokri and others be asked to take a bow and leave. Senator Ali Ndume insisted that the motion must be seconded before any comments could be entertained However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole strongly objected, insisting he be allowed to speak before the motion was seconded. He argued that Omokri’s…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has promised that the second edition of the Niger Delta games to be hosted by Edo State in 2026 will be bigger and better. The NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, and the Chairman, Main Organising Committee, Alabo Boma Iyaye, gave the assurance during the inaugural meeting for the Niger Delta Games at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. He expressed delight at the success of the maiden edition, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in 2025, and assured that the games in Edo State would be more colourful and exciting. Iyaye stated that…

Nigeria has reached a major milestone in its gas sector reform as the Federal Government unveiled the country’s first online gas trading, clearing, and settlement platform. Also known as the Gas Trading Licence, Clearing House, and Settlement Authorization, the platform is designed to bring transparency, efficiency, and competitiveness into the nation’s gas market. At the launch ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described the initiative as a “new dawn” for Nigeria’s gas industry. He said, “I am pleased to join you today on this occasion of the launch of the first Gas Trading…

Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has flagged off the Aliko Dangote Foundation Education Scholarship Initiative, calling on stakeholders to recommit to building a future where every Nigerian child can become the best version of themselves. The programme, projected to cost ₦1 trillion over the next ten years, will support students across multiple levels through a range of targeted schemes. Speaking on Thursday in Lagos during the launch of the education scholarship scheme, the Vice President extolled Dangote’s philanthropic efforts, saying education is a burden carried by those who understand its transformative power. “Now is the time to recommit to building…

The Police Service Commission (PSC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is pleased to announce the commencement of recruitment of Fifty Thousand (50,000) Police Constables into the Nigeria Police Force, as directed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Following this Presidential directive aimed at strengthening community policing, enhancing internal security and expanding the manpower base of the Nigeria Police Force, the Commission has approved the opening of the recruitment portal for applications from eligible Nigerians.Qualifications: General Duty cadre applicants must be holders of GCE Ordinary Level, SSCE/NECO or their equivalents witha minimum of five (5) credits…

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has met with his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakar, in Abuja. At the office of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), both sides reflected on the recent attempted coup in the Republic of Benin and the growing security concerns across the region. Tuggar explained that much of Nigeria’s insecurity is exogenous, noting that Nigeria and Benin share very close ties, and whatever happens in one country inevitably triggers ripple effects in the other. According to him, this is why a coordinated regional response is no longer optional. Both ministers emphasised the…

US President Donald Trump has launched a gold card programme that offers fast-tracked citizenship to wealthy foreigners who can pay at least $1 million. Trump announced the card’s launch on Wednesday in a Truth Social post alongside a website where interested persons can apply. To apply, an applicant must pay a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), after which a background approval and a subsequent payment of $1 million must be made to receive US residency in “record time”. “Additional small fees to the U.S. Department of State may apply depending on the applicant,” the website noted. A separate…

Two Nigerians, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Mo Abudu, have been named among Forbes’ 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for 2025, reflecting their influence across global trade, governance and media. The annual ranking, released on Wednesday, profiles women shaping policy, business and culture internationally. Okonjo-Iweala, positioned at 92, is the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the first African and first woman to hold the office since March 2021. Forbes highlights her over 30 years of experience in economic development across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. She previously served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister and briefly as Foreign…

The leader of the failed coup d’état in the Benin Republic, Lt Col Pascal Tigri, is reportedly hiding in neighbouring Togo, according to a senior government official in Benin. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said the Beninese government would formally request Tigri’s extradition, though Togo’s authorities have yet to comment publicly on the claim, according to the BBC. The failed coup was the latest in a string of military coups and coup attempts across West Africa, fuelling growing concerns that democratic governance in the region is under increasing threat. The plot was foiled after Nigeria deployed fighter jets to help…

Lai Mohammed, ex-minister of information, has insisted that there was no massacre at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos during the #EndSARS protests.  In a report on the October 20, 2020 incident, CNN had alleged that soldiers used live bullets on the protesters. However, the army had repeatedly denied deploying live ammunition, saying it fired blank bullets in a bid to disperse the protesters after the government had announced a curfew. At the time, Mohammed, who was minister of information, wrote to Jonathan Hawkins, VP communications at CNN, to say the report “did not just fall short of journalistic standards but reinforces the…