Author: Vardiafrica

China has announced plans to offer developing countries 5,000 opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) training and seminars over the next five years, as President Xi Jinping called for a new global system to ensure that the rapidly advancing technology does not deepen inequality between rich and poor nations. Xi made the announcement on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, where he unveiled a broad international cooperation agenda targeting AI development, capacity building and governance. The Chinese leader also announced plans to establish international AI application cooperation…

The Federal Government on Friday charged three men, Abdulrazak Umar (a.k.a. Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (a.k.a. Yunusa bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (a.k.a. Abu Itisar), for the recent kidnap of children and teachers of a school in Orire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo state. The 10-count charge filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, borders on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment, incitement and illegal mining. The defendants, all of Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State, are alleged to have conspired with one Muhammad Sani, Jibril Mohammed and Ibrahim Khabab between January and May 2026 to kidnap school children…

FIFA is set to break with football tradition and present World Cup winners’ rings to the champions of Sunday’s final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium. The American-style hardware will be handed over in a ceremony attended by US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to present the World Cup trophy itself. While winners’ rings are a time-honoured tradition in American sports, most famously awarded to the NFL’s Super Bowl champions, they represent a radical departure for FIFA, which has historically stuck to classic gold medals. A total of 30 exclusive rings will be made available to the newly…

The Senate has confirmed Abayomi Sunday Fasina as a non-career ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite opposition from some lawmakers and recent protests by civil society organisations over his nomination. The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Sani Bello. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Simon Lalong (APC, Plateau South) urged the Senate to approve Fasina’s nomination for appointment as a non-career ambassador/high commissioner. The report generated debate on the Senate floor, with some lawmakers such as Senator Adams Oshiomhole raising strong objections while others backed…

The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government over the alleged victimisation of its members. The association said it would embark on a three-day nationwide warning strike if the alleged victimisation of its members at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Kaduna state, is not addressed by July 29. In a letter to Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, NANNM accused the hospital’s management of victimising union officials, failure to implement an earlier memorandum of understanding (MoU), and creation of industrial unrest. The association demanded the reinstatement of its…

The House of Representatives has assured Nigerians that state police when fully implemented would not be used as private armies for state governors. Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, gave the assurance on Wednesday at the National Security Roundtable during the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, insisting that the reform is designed to strengthen community policing while preserving national oversight. He said the green chamber would subject the State police bill to rigorous scrutiny to ensure it delivers effective policing without undermining democracy or the rule of law. According to him, the proposal is one of the most…

The federal government has officially commenced the nationwide digital registration of births and deaths under its Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, (E-CRVS) system. Chairman, National Population Commission, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, announced this at a press briefing in Abuja, describing the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive to modernize civil registration and improve the country’s vital statistics. According to him, the new VitalReg platform became fully operational across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory on July 1, 2026. He said the digital system is designed to ensure that every birth and death in Nigeria is accurately…

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of 48 property linked to a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to the Federal Government. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment delivered in Abuja on Wednesday, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had established the reasonable suspicion required by law to justify the forfeiture of the assets. The judge ruled that Malami, his family members and companies linked to the properties failed to dislodge the commission’s allegation that the assets were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. Before delivering the…

The Senate has approved a ₦50 million donation to the families of two teachers and three security personnel who lost their lives during the abduction and rescue operation involving pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Announcing the intervention during Wednesday’s plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said each of the five bereaved families would receive ₦10 million as financial support from the upper legislative chamber. The donation follows the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers by security agencies after they spent about 56 days in captivity. Three security operatives—Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Sergeant Silas Musa…

The house of representatives has rescinded its decision on the passage of the state police bill. The lower legislative chamber withdrew its earlier approval of the proposed legislation after Francis Waive, chairman of the committee on rules and business, moved a motion to reconsider the bill. Waive said new facts have emerged regarding the bill’s provisions, necessitating a critical review of its clauses to ensure alignment with the country’s national security architecture. He said the house needed to reverse its June 11 decision and dissolve the conference committee established to harmonise the proposed legislation with the senate’s version. The development followed the reading of…