Author: Vardiafrica

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…

The victory celebrations have continued in Lagos as the 10-time WAFCON champions, the Super Falcons, paraded their trophy through the streets to the cheers of enthusiastic football fans. Still riding high on the wave of national recognition, including a presidential honour and generous cash rewards, the triumphant Super Falcons touched down in Lagos on Wednesday afternoon. Their arrival set off a jubilant trophy parade that passed through iconic landmarks on Lagos Island, drawing crowds of elated fans who lined the streets to celebrate the team’s historic WAFCON triumph. The parade began at Costain, passed through Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Obalende, Ikoyi…

Turkey unveiled its most powerful conventional aircraft bomb GAZAP, which has a warhead weighing 970 kilograms (2,000 pounds), at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul. The bomb, designed by Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry’s research and development (R&D) center, disperses 10.16 fragment explosions per meter (3.2 feet) instead of 3 meters (9.8 feet), an official told Anadolu. With its blast effect, the bomb has a very destructive capability, which can be dropped from an F-16 fighter jet. “The R&D center has modified the explosive and filler design,” the official said. “Qualification and certification processes are complete and ready…

Kenya is taking bold steps to curb alcohol consumption. The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, or NACADA, has just announced a sweeping crackdown on where and how alcohol can be sold across the country. In a report released Wednesday, July 30, the authority banned alcohol sales in ten types of locations. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce access to alcohol, drugs, and other substances of abuse. Under the new rules, selling alcohol through online platforms, home deliveries, and couriers is now completely prohibited. Also affected are petrol stations, restaurants, residential areas,…

Three months before Ivory Coast’s presidential election, long-standing leader Alassane Ouattara has announced he will be standing for a fourth term in office, ending months of speculation. “I am a candidate because I want our beloved Côte d’Ivoire to continue to remain a prosperous country, in peace and security,” he said in a televised address on Tuesday. The 83-year-old president said both his health and the country’s Constitution allows him to serve another term. Ouattara, who has been president since 2011, said the country was facing “unprecedented security, economic, and monetary challenges. “Indeed, the terrorist threat is growing in the sub-region and…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday charged outgoing trainees in bag-making to establish cooperatives and business hubs to bolster their performance and productivity and engender an ecosystem for a thriving bag-making industry in the country. Speaking at the close-out ceremony of a bag-making training and empowerment programme at the UNDP Multipurpose Vocational Training Centre, Warri, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, advised the start-ups to shun the temptation of operating in isolation to enable them develop the requisite clout for credit facilities and wide patronage. According to him, “With a cooperative you’ll…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed the Pro-Chancellor, governing council members, and principal officers of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni in Rivers State. Prof. Don Mon Baridam, from the South-South, is the pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, while Prof. Chinedu Mmom, also from the South-South, will serve as the vice-Chancellor. Baridam is a professor of Management with a specialisation in Organisational Behaviour. He previously taught at the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers State. Mmom is a professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Port Harcourt. He was…