Author: Vardiafrica

The Senate passed a bill on Wednesday, March 26, that mandates the compulsory registration of citizens, aiming to overhaul Nigeria’s identity management system. This move follows the repeal and reenactment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act. The passage came after the Committee on National Identity Card and Population, chaired by Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central, submitted and considered a report on the matter. Umeh explained that the legislation seeks to establish a harmonized, cost-effective identity system that aligns with global best practices. The bill also aims to enhance data accuracy, promote inclusion, and close gaps in Nigeria’s…

Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, was on Wednesday sworn in as the country’s president for a transition period of five years under a new charter that replaces the West African nation’s constitution. The move effectively rebuffed attempts by regional bloc ECOWAS to quicken the return to democracy after a 2023 coup. The five-year “flexible” transition period begins on Wednesday, according to Mahamane Roufai, the secretary general of the government. He was speaking at a ceremony in the capital Niamey where the new transition charter recommended by a recent national conference was approved. Tiani, an army veteran, was also elevated to the country’s highest military rank…

President Bola Tinubu has assented to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025. Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, Basheer Lado, made this known in a statement, noting that the legislations reflect Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse. “By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence. “Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East…

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) in the 23 local government areas to submit reports detailing the activities of their councils over the past two years.  The directive, which has reportedly unsettled the HLGAs, was issued through a letter from Dame Dr. Itong Awani, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs.  “His Excellency, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has directed that all Heads of Local Government Administration should submit the report of their councils to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs,”…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially accepted a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after the petitioners provided the required contact details and address. This comes a day after INEC initially rejected the petition, citing the absence of verifiable contact information. In a statement released on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, the electoral body confirmed that the petitioners had addressed the deficiencies by submitting their contact address, phone numbers, and email addresses in a formal letter to the Commission’s chairman. INEC has now moved to the next phase, where it will scrutinize the submitted signatures to verify…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says the Commission is boosting education and bridging the gender gap in science and technology by equipping young girls with the necessary skills to thrive in the modern world. Ogbuku, who spoke during the closing ceremony of the Girl Child Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM competition in Port Harcourt, explained that the initiative was aimed at fostering scientific and technological advancement among young girls in the Niger Delta region. The Managing Director, represented by the NDDC Director of Education, Dr (Mrs) Awele Chukwudifu, emphasised the importance…

Senator Okpebholo gave the commendation during the 67th Anniversary Celebration of the Ayakoro Annual Festival of Relocation at the King Ikiomoye Paul Nathan Square in the Ayakoro community, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The Governor, who was the Chairman of the occasion, compared the movement of Ayakoro community from their original location to that of the Israelites, noting: “You have moved to a land flowing with milk and honey.” He prayed for the community to continue advancing and progressing, stating, “One day, God will make the son of the Ayakoro community the Governor of Bayelsa State.” In his remarks,…

Zimbabwe’s richest man and only billionaire, Strive Masiyiwa, is making a bold move through his pan-African technology company, Cassava Technologies. The company has announced plans to launch Africa’s first AI factory—an advanced, secure data center powered by NVIDIA AI computing technology. The project is a major step in Cassava’s push to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. It will give businesses, governments, and researchers access to world-class AI computing, allowing them to develop cutting-edge solutions while keeping data within the continent. Powering Africa’s AI revolution According to the company, the AI factory will integrate NVIDIA’s accelerated computing and AI software using the NVIDIA…

Six vessels carrying about 1.7 million barrels of jet fuel from the Dangote refinery arrived at U.S. ports this month, data from ship-tracking service Kpler showed. Another vessel, Hafnia Andromeda, is set to arrive at the Everglades terminal on March 29 with a load of about 348,000 barrels of jet fuel, the data showed. U.S. jet fuel imports are set to hit a two-year high in March after the refinery pushed barrels to North America. Total U.S. jet fuel imports so far in March stood at around 226,000 bpd, the most since February 2023, the data showed. The development comes…

The Organised Labour has strongly condemned the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, warning that it may be forced to take decisive action that could disrupt national economic activities if the proclamation is not reversed within a reasonable timeframe The threat was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Rivers State Chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alex Agwanwor; State Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ikechukwu Onyefuru; and Chairperson of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Chuku Emecheta. The labour unions raised concerns about the legality, economic impact, and consequences of the federal government’s…