Author: Vardiafrica

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has appealed to the Federal Government to deploy decisive strategies that would ensure that Marte town does not fall to Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents. Zulum, who was actively involved in coordinating security logistics till late in the night on Saturday, undertook a tour to assess the challenges faced in Marte, while also exploring sustainable solutions to foster stability. Before Zulum’s arrival, Marte was completely deserted following a Boko Haram attack last Friday, with thousands taking refuge in Dikwa town. Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the governor emphasised that his visit to Marte was to foster community…

Nigeria claimed third place at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 after a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over tournament hosts Egypt on Sunday. The third-place playoff at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, before Nigeria kept their nerve in the shootout to secure their fifth bronze medal in U-20 AFCON history. It was a clash between two sides aiming to finish the tournament on a high after missing out on the final. Osama Omar put Egypt ahead early in the third minute, but Nigeria equalised shortly after the restart through…

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has reaffirmed China’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Nigeria, particularly in the solid minerals sector, through the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) factories and increased industrial collaboration. Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, at the weekend, Ambassador Dunhai emphasised the strategic importance of Nigeria in China’s foreign policy. “Nigeria is a great country blessed with tremendous natural resources. Chinese companies are already deeply involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, from exploration to processing. “We aim to deepen this collaboration, especially in line with President Tinubu’s…

President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, met with Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, and Kayode Fayemi, former Ekiti state, at Pope Leo XIV’s installation mass in Rome. In a post on X, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s special adviser on information and strategy, said Fayemi sighted the president where he sat with other leaders and asked Obi to follow him to “pay homage” to Tinubu. “On getting to the President, Fayemi broke the ice between Obi and Tinubu. He said: ‘Mr. President, welcome to our church, and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.’ President Tinubu, ever quick-witted, responded,…

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Friday undertook a facility visit to Caverton Helicopters, Lagos, expressing amazement at the advanced state of its technical capabilities for aviation-related services in the oil and gas sector. He commended the company for its track record of performance and huge investments toward maintenance of helicopters within Nigeria, which he described as a milestone, assuring its Management that NCDMB was prepared to partner the company meaningfully in its ventures. According to the NCDMB boss, “This is what President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants: Nigeria First,”…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied having a personal conflict with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, asserting that the governor remains his “son.” Wike made the remark in an interview published by BBC Pidgin, amid growing speculations of a rift between both men, who were once political allies. “That one is not a battle,” Wike said. “He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son. Why will I fight with him?” Clarifying his stance further, Wike maintained that his political struggle is not with Fubara directly, but with individuals he accused of manipulating…

Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili set a new women’s world record in the 150m event at the Adidas Atlanta City Games on Saturday, clocking an astonishing 15.85 seconds to eclipse the previous record by almost four seconds. The 22-year-old Port Harcourt-born athlete delivered a commanding performance that drew admiration from spectators and fellow athletes. Her time shattered the seven-year-old record set by Shaunae Miller in 2018 and made her the first woman in history to complete the 150m race in under 16 seconds Ofili took control of the race early, surging ahead after the 50m mark and never looking back. She…

The north-west zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The endorsement was made after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday, where Tinubu was also adopted as the sole candidate for the poll. In a communique read by Uba Sani, Kaduna governor and APC north-west coordinating governor, the zone reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and pledged ”full support for President Tinubu’s vision to deliver prosperity, equity, and lasting change for all Nigerians”. ”We thank and commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his purposeful leadership,…

Opeyemi Bright, a UK citizen of Nigerian descent, has been appointed the mayor of Barking and Dagenham Borough. Bright, aged 29, made history as the youngest person to hold the position. She was confirmed as the borough’s next mayor in April and inaugurated during a ceremony on Friday. She had previously served as councillor of the borough in 2018 — also the youngest to have served in that capacity then aged 22. She also served as a school governor, a board member of Agile Africa, an non-governmental organisation that equips young people with tech skills. Bright joins the likes of…

The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Bello has urged Nigerians to report public servants living above their means to the Bureau for investigation and possible prosecution at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) if the need arises. The CCB boss made the call on Friday, when he led a delegation of the management staff of the Bureau on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Tribune corporate office in Abuja. He said public servants are not known by the people in the environment before they get into public service, and if any of them begin to…