Author: Vardiafrica

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has been inaugurated as the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). During the ceremony, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, advised the newly inaugurated chairman and board members to prioritize infrastructure development at the nation’s airports. Keyamo emphasized that modernizing airport infrastructure is essential to bringing Nigeria’s airports up to world-class standards. “This occasion marks not just a change in leadership but also a renewed commitment to the lofty ideals of service, safety, and progress within our aviation sector,” he said.…

Coartem® (artemether-lumefantrine) Baby has been approved by Swissmedic as the first malaria medicine for newborns and young infants. The new treatment, also known as Riamet® Baby in some countries, was developed through an MMV and Novartis collaboration to treat the potentially deadly mosquito-borne disease. Eight African countries also participated in the assessment and are now expected to issue rapid approvals under the Swiss agency’s Marketing Authorization for Global Health Products procedure.1 Novartis plans to introduce the infant-friendly treatment on a largely not-for-profit basis to increase access in areas where malaria is endemic. “Malaria is one of the world’s deadliest diseases, particularly among children. But…

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has stated that lawmakers were not in the Senate to make money but to make sacrifices for future generations. Akpabio made this statement on Wednesday on during debate on the general principles of the Bill for an Act to amend the Electricity Act, 2023. DAILY POST reports that the bill will address emerging issues in the Nigerian electric power sector, enhance policy and regulatory coordination, strengthen sectoral financing, protect critical electricity infrastructure, foster industrial relations in the sector, clarify transitional arrangements, redefine host community engagements by licensees operating in the Nigerian electricity supply industry; and for…

After gutting humanitarian assistance for Africa, President Trump told five leaders from the continent at the White House on Wednesday that his administration was recalibrating its policy for the region to focus on trade. “We’re shifting from A.I.D. to trade,” Mr. Trump told the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal, adding that his administration had recently closed the United States Agency for International Development. “We’re working tirelessly to forge new economic opportunities involving both the United States and many African nations. There’s great economic potential in Africa, like few other places.” In many ways, the meeting crystallized the…

Ghana’s president launched a special task force on Tuesday to combat rampant illegal gold mining and smuggling that has long plagued the West African nation. The chronic challenge of illegal gold mining — known locally as “galamsey” — was a major issue during Ghana’s presidential election campaign last year and a source of concern for voters, triggering protests and criticism against the outgoing government. Ghana’s President John Mahama inaugurated the GOLDBOD Task Force, saying its creation “signals our readiness to act decisively.” The task force — comprised of officers from various security agencies and the military — is empowered to…

The Nigerian Army has honoured the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, with the “NA Outstanding Service Commendation Medal, NAOSCM.” In a letter certifying the Service Commendation Medal, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, said: “Having contributed immensely to the development of the NA’s infrastructure, human capacity development, as well as enhancement of the NA’s operational efficiency and accomplishment of the COAS Command Philosophy, is hereby awarded the NA Outstanding Service Commendation Medal (NAOSCM).” The commendation medal was presented to Ogbuku during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2025 Lecture and Award…

Dangote Refinery has again within a week interval reduced its ex-depot the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N840 per litre to N820 per litre, effective immediately. It would be recalled that the company last week reduced its ex-depot price from N880 to N840 per litre. With assurance of steady supply of petroleum products, more independent marketers have joined the growing list of distributors retailing Dangote Refinery’s high-quality petroleum products across the country. Dangote Group’s spokesperson, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, confirmed the price adjustment in Lagos, stating: “PMS price has been reduced from N840 to N820…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, declares that it has achieved remarkable milestones in the last 25 years and made a significant impact in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region. Speaking during a World Press Briefing at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, Delta State, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the Commission had lived up to its motto of “making a difference.” The NDDC Chief Executive Officer stated that the current Board and Management have initiated several projects and programmes that have helped to change the story of the Niger Delta for the…

The Interim National Chairman of the newly formed opposition coalition party, the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, has clarified that the party has no preferred presidential aspirant for the 2027 general elections. Mark made this statement on Tuesday while addressing stakeholders of the Kogi chapter of the ADC at a meeting in Abuja. The former Senate President assured Nigerians that, under his leadership, the party would operate with complete transparency. “The ADC has no preferred or favourite presidential aspirant, but has set out to first put out a platform that would be attractive and acceptable to the majority of…

The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Epiphany Azinge, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for its achievements in the past 25 years. Obi Azinge spoke when the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, led a delegation of the Commission’s Board and Management to pay a courtesy visit to him in his palace in Asaba, Delta State. The NDDC delegation included the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; and other Directors of the Commission. The royal father commended the…