Author: Vardiafrica

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday increasing tariffs on Canadian goods imported to the United States from 25% to 35%. The new import tax rates go into effect on Friday, according to a White House factsheet. The tariff would cover all products not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Goods transshipped to another country to evade the new tariffs would be subject to a transshipment levy of 40%. Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, said he was “disappointed” by the decision, which comes after months of tariff threats from the Trump administration and escalating trade tensions that have sowed anger in Canada. US…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, says that the Commission has opened a new chapter after the conclusion of its 25th anniversary celebrations. Speaking during an interactive meeting between the executive management and staff of the Commission at the NDDC Event Centre in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku noted that the performance of the Commission was now a reference point in the country. He noted: “People are now willing to do business with us. We are now telling our stories ourselves. We have embraced our failures, made amends, and are now moving forward into a…

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has visited Ghana over the recent demands by some Ghanaians for the deportation of Nigerians from their country. Over the weekend, a group of Ghanaians staged a protest demanding that Nigerians be sent back to their home country, alleging that their behaviour does not align with Ghanaian values. The protesters, who were mostly traders from the local retail market, carried placards and other items, while stating that their Nigerian counterparts were causing problems and were allegedly involved in criminal activities. While speaking to newsmen after a meeting with Ghana’s Foreign Affairs…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for one year. This was made known on Thursday in a statement issued by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. Onanuga said CG Adeniyi’s tenure, which was due to expire on August 31, 2025, was extended for him to consolidate on the ongoing reforms of the present administration. The presidential aide further stated that the extension of tenure for Bashir Adewale Adeniyi was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to enable him complete critical initiatives of the government such as modernisation of the…

Nigeria is once again making strides in space science as six indigenous crop seeds from the country head to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a multinational agricultural experiment. The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), in a statement by the Director of Media, Dr Felix Ale, says NASA’s Crew-11 Mission is scheduled for launch today, the 31st of July 2025, from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Nigeria’s biological payload comprises okra, cowpea, guinea corn (sorghum), amaranth, maize, and melon; staple crops selected for their nutritional value and adaptability. Scientists will observe how these…

Nafi’u Bala, a former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Gombe, has declared himself as the national chairman of the party.  Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday night in Abuja, the former national deputy chairman of the ADC accused the David Mark-led leadership of unlawfully taking over the party and breaching its constitution. BACKGROUND Last month, opposition politicians and some ADC leaders adopted the party as the coalition platform for the 2027 elections. Some of the coalition members include ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; former senate president Mark; Uche Secondus, former PDP national chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger state; Sam…

Former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the party’s inability to rescue Nigeria from what he described as “prevailing political cankerworms”. Melaye, a former senator for Kogi West, made this known on Thursday via a post on his official X handle, where he shared a signed resignation letter addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 1, Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. In the letter dated July 4, 2025, Melaye said the decision became “imperative due to the lack of potency and capacity by the party to deliver the Nigerian…

The Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State Capital, has affirmed the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 16, 2024, governorship election in the state. Aiyedatiwa, who contested under the APC, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 366,781 votes and winning across all 18 local government areas. He defeated his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The appellate court’s decision follows earlier legal victories for Aiyedatiwa. On June 4, 2025, the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed multiple petitions challenging…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with Chevron Nigeria Limited and Geoscape Nigeria Limited on Wednesday held a close-out ceremony to mark the successful completion of a one-year Human Capital Development (HCD) training programme on Composite Repairs, Leak Sealing, Machining & Bolting, Managing & Working Safely and Entrepreneurship/Business Management Skill & Clarity 4D.  The programme was part of the Board’s mandate to enhance in-country human capacity in the oil and gas industry. Speaking at the ceremony which held in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, FNSE, represented by the General Manager, Human Capacity…

Management of Dangote Cement has announced that it will commission the 3Mta grinding plant in Côte d’Ivoire by the third quarter of this year, which is expected to strengthen the company’s position in Africa and contribute significantly to its exports. Chief Executive of Dangote Cement, Arvind Pathak, in a note to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, said the company is encouraged by the growth in its export business. He said: “Export volumes from Nigeria increased by 18.2%, with 18 successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon. This demonstrates the growing importance of our pan-African footprint and our ongoing commitment to regional trade…