Author: Vardiafrica

The United Arab Emirates has become the first Arab nation to prohibit children under the age of 15 from creating or operating personal social media accounts, joining a growing list of countries tightening regulations to protect minors in the digital age. The landmark policy, approved by the UAE Cabinet on Thursday, places the Gulf nation at the forefront of global efforts to address concerns over children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, predatory behaviour, excessive screen time, and the collection of personal data by technology platforms. Unlike some jurisdictions that permit younger users to access social media with parental consent,…

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) says it has indefinitely suspended its leader Nnamdi Kanu. The proscribed group added that Kanu has also been delisted as director of Radio Biafra in a bid to reposition the organisation and strengthen its operations. The decision was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Chikadibia Edoziem, head of the directorate of state (DOS), IPOB’s highest decision-making body. The group said IPOB was established as a self-determination movement “formed and nurtured by Biafrans in the diaspora”, and not by any individual, for the restoration of a sovereign Biafra. It said no individual has the authority to…

The Russian capital was shrouded in thick black smoke Thursday after Ukraine launched what appeared to be its largest attack on Moscow since the Kremlin invaded its neighbor more than four years ago. Waves of Ukrainian drones hit a major oil refinery in the city for the second time this week, sending smoke and flames rising over the city through the morning. Local commercial flights were also disrupted. Kyiv cast the attack as revenge for strikes on a historic monastery that had drawn global condemnation. It comes as President Donald Trump signals renewed engagement with the conflict, boosting Europe’s hopes that he may back tougher action against…

A total sum of N2.300 trillion, being the May 2026 Federation Account Revenue, has been shared between the federal government, states, and the local government councils. In a statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa, the revenue was shared at the June 2026 Federation Account Allocation Committee FAAC meeting held in Abuja. The N2.300 trillion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N1.611 trillion and distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N688.785 billion. A communiqué issued by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that the total…

The Federal Government on Wednesday launched FreeTV, a digital television platform offering more than 100 free channels, as it unveiled Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) Platform aimed at expanding access to digital broadcasting and accelerating the country’s transition from analogue television. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, officially launched the platform at the headquarters of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) in Abuja. FreeTV will provide a wide range of programming, including news, sports, movies, music, children’s content, educational programmes, as well as dedicated Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language channels. The service will be available through satellite…

A delegation from the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has visited the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on a knowledge sharing and local content benchmarking study, with a view to deepen their understanding of the Board’s local content development practices in the areas of policy frameworks and implementation strategies, among other things. The delegation, led by the Director of Corporate Affairs at GNPC, Mr. Eric Pwadura, is on week tour of the NCDMB corporate headquarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and was received on Monday by the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe. Welcoming the delegation, the Executive Secretary…

The first woman president of OPEC and Nigeria’s former oil minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, was cleared of bribery charges in a UK trial Wednesday, her defence lawyers said in a statement “Diezani Alison-Madueke was cleared of six charges of bribery at Southwark Crown Court on 17 June 2026, after a five-month trial,” defence lawyer Jonathan Laidlaw said in a press release. The trial was brought by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), which targets serious organised and international crime, after a years-long investigation concerning alleged offences between 2011 and 2015. Laidlaw told the jury at the London court in January that…

The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has intensified its campaign against drug abuse and cultism, warning students of the destructive consequences these vices pose to individuals and society. The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has intensified its campaign against drug abuse and cultism, warning students of the destructive consequences these vices pose to individuals and society. Speaking during a sensitisation programme at Community Secondary School, Oruma, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, urged students to resist peer pressure and avoid involvement in drugs or secret cult groups. He emphasised that such practices…

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered banks, fintechs, and other payment service providers to disclose their ultimate beneficial owners, localise payments transaction data, and comply with new market share limits designed to curb concentration risk. The far-reaching regulatory measures were contained in a circular dated June 15, 2026 and signed by CBN’s Director, Payments System Supervision Department, Dr. Rakiya Yusuf. The regulatory intervention represents one of the most significant interventions by the CBN in the payments industry in recent times, aiming at restructuring the country’s fast-growing digital payments ecosystem. The circular, addressed to Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks, Mobile…

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has directed the Katsina State Police Command to strengthen security measures around schools across the state to ensure the safety of students and staff. The directive was conveyed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Sulaiman Abdul, during a two-day operational tour of Katsina State. Speaking during the visit, the DIG said the police command had been instructed to intensify patrols, improve intelligence gathering and maintain a strong security presence around educational institutions. According to him, the measures were aimed at preventing violent crimes and creating a safe…