Author: Vardiafrica

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to focus on advancing the state’s development rather than launching a probe into his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki. Speaking in Benin, Edo State, Sunday evening, Wike stressed that investigating the former governor would yield little benefit and urged Okpebholo to channel his energy and the state’s resources toward projects that would improve the lives of Edo people. “If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me, but what I suffered in ensuring that…

Nigerian music star Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, reached a historic milestone on Sunday night by becoming the first African performer to grace the halftime stage at the FIFA Club World Cup Final.‎‎The event took place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the 2025 edition of the global football tournament concluded.‎‎Tems shared the spotlight during the 15-minute halftime spectacle with international acts Doja Cat and J Balvin. The show also featured surprise guest appearances by Coldplay and singer Emmanuel Kelly.‎‎The performance was a collaboration between FIFA and Global Citizen. J Balvin kicked things off with…

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was reportedly slightly injured during one of Israel’s attacks on Iran last month. Iran’s state Fars news agency, close to the revolutionary guard, says that on 16 June, six bombs targeted both access and entry points of a secret underground facility in Tehran where Pezeshkian was attending an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council. The president is said to have suffered leg injuries as he and others escaped through an emergency shaft. Iran is now reported to be following leads of infiltration by Israeli agents. The Fars report has not been independently verified. Israel…

US President Donald Trump on Sunday, July 13, announced that Washington will provide Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv and hinted at new sanctions on Russia, once again expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s prolonged war in Ukraine. Trump’s pledge of crucial weapons support came shortly after he teased a “major statement… on Russia” expected Monday. That announcement could coincide with a busy diplomatic day, as the US special envoy heads to Ukraine and Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington. Russia’s war in Ukraine has dragged on for more than three years, with…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived London on President Bola Tinubu’s directive following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Shettima arrived London on Monday morning in the company of the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. He was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum. Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, disclosed this in a post on Monday morning. Tinubu announced the passing of his predecessor who died on Sunday in London at approximately 4:30 pm. He directed Shettima and Gbajabiamila to proceed to…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stressed the need for continuity in the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to ensure that development projects are completed and not abandoned. Dr Jonathan, who spoke at the plenary of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the NDDC at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, decried the frequent changes in the leadership of the NDDC. He said: “The frequent changes of the leadership of the NDDC have been a problem for the development. When we listened to the keynote address, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala observed that the Commission abandoned…

President Bola Tinubu has summoned an emergency session of the federal executive council (FEC) for Tuesday, July 15, in honour of Muhammadu Buhari, former president, who died on Sunday in the United Kingdom. Tinubu, in a tribute on Sunday evening, described Buhari as a patriot and statesman, saying the federal government would accord him full state honours for his “towering” contributions to the country. Tinubu said Buhari “stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential”. The president said Buhari “championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the…

Cole Palmer scored two goals and made another as Chelsea stunned Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday, beating the European champions 3-0 at the MetLife Stadium to win the first edition of FIFA’s new competition. PSG were the favourites for a game attended by Donald Trump after coming to the United States fresh from winning the UEFA Champions League and having destroyed Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals. But having been three goals ahead midway through the first half in the semis, this time the roles were reversed as PSG found themselves 3-0 down…

Barely a few hours after the death of Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Kashim Shettima and President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will head to the United Kingdom to accompany the late former president’s body back to Nigeria. The ex-president, who had battled a prolonged illness, died in London at about 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the age of 81. Buhari’s former special adviser, Garba Shehu, confirmed the news of his passing in a statement. In a separate release signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu confirmed the death of his predecessor…

Julius Abure, the factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP), has met with Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT). The meeting took place at Wike’s residence in Abuja, the nation’s capital. The purpose or agenda of the meeting is not known, but it is coming days after the Abure-led faction asked Peter Obi, the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, to quit the party for joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and minister under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is blamed by his party members for being the…