Author: Vardiafrica

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to publish copies of loan agreements obtained by the administration of past Presidents since 1999. SERAP asked Tinubu “to direct appropriate ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to provide our organization with copies of the loan agreements obtained by the governments of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.” This was contained in a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and made available to Channels Television on Sunday. SERAP is also seeking “the spending details of any such loans as well as…

Israel was coming under direct attack from Iran Saturday, the army announced, in a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes that threatened to overshadow the conflict in Gaza Iran had repeatedly threatened to strike Israel in retaliation for a deadly April 1 air strike on its Damascus consular building and Washington had warned repeatedly in recent days that the reprisals were imminent. “Iran launched UAVs from its territory towards the territory of the state of Israel,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement. “We are working in close cooperation with the…

The West African country has been ruled by juntas since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021.Mali Junta leader Assimi Goita took power in consecutive coups in 2020 and 2021.  / Photo: Reuters The African Union on Saturday urged Mali to provide a post-coup transition ‘roadmap’, warning such a move was needed to steer the country back to democratic rule. Earlier this week Mali’s military junta ordered the suspension of all political activities – citing a need to maintain public order – and the African Union expressed “grave concern” at the move, saying it was likely to hinder the return to democracy.…

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says the planned national ID card will be issued to applicants by their banks.  NIMC said it is working with the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) to deliver the cards to applicants. “The card will be issued through the applicants’ respective banks in line with existing protocols with the issuance of the Debit/Credit cards,” the agency said in a Friday update on its official X handle It said applicants need to request their cards with their NIN “through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks”. “The card will be powered by the AFRIGO…

Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has set his sights on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. His motivation? To champion the aspirations of countless African children who lack access to education. Onakoya plans to engage in an uninterrupted 58-hour chess session, aiming to emerge victorious without a single defeat. The event is slated to be held from 10 a.m. on April 17 to 8 p.m. on April 19 in the iconic Times Square of New York City In a recent tweet, Onakoya declared, “On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guinness…

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has told Nigerians who abuse the Naira to ask Bobrisky for an update. In a tweet shared after a court in Lagos sentenced Bobrisky to six months imprisonment for abusing the naira without the option of a fine, the anti-graft agency stated that if ‘’preaching” will not send the message, a conviction will.

The Nigerian government says it has traced fleeing Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, to Kenya, following his escape from custody. It was gathered that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the International Criminal Police (INTERPOL), the Nigeria Police Force and the Kenyan Police Service have deepened talks to quicken Anjarwalla’s extradition. Sources in the presidency who are on top of the case said that Anjarwalla, whose cover has now been blown, went into hiding immediately after he landed in Kenya. “We have found him. We know where he is. He is in Kenya, and we’re working with the authorities to…

President Bola Tinubu has called for unity of purpose and more collaboration between the federal government, state governors, and members of the National Assembly to achieve national development goals. The President made the appeal while receiving state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly in Lagos on Friday, according to a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale. Led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the delegation included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, among others Speaking on behalf of the…

In a historic move, Nigeria has become the first country in the world to roll out a new vaccine (called Men5CV) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which protects people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria. The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which funds the global meningitis vaccine stockpile, and supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis. Nigeria is one of the 26 meningitis hyper-endemic countries of Africa, situated in the area known as the African Meningitis Belt. Last year, there was a 50% jump in annual meningitis cases reported…

The IMF executive board confirmed Friday that it had reappointed Kristalina Georgieva to serve for a second five-year term at the helm of the international financial institution It means that Georgieva, who was the sole candidate in the running to lead the International Monetary Fund, will continue in office when her current term ends on September 30, 2024. The decision was taken by consensus, the IMF said in a statement confirming the board’s decision. “I am deeply grateful for the trust and support of the Fund’s Executive Board, representing our 190 members, and honored to continue to lead the IMF as Managing…