Author: Vardiafrica

All of Jamaica has been declared a “disaster area” after the arrival of Hurricane Melissa. Three people were k!lled before the Category 5 storm made landfall, but a government minister warned that it is too soon to know if there are more de@ths.  Melissa is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever on record and the strongest to hit the island since recordkeeping started 174 years ago, the US National Hurricane Center said.  The hurricane made landfall on Jamaica’s southern coast just after midday local time, bringing 185mph winds and persistant rain that led to massive floods. Entire towns are now underwater, with…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the ongoing 13.52-kilometre Ngo–Atlantic–Oyorokoto Road as a bold and visionary project to open up the coastal region for economic growth and harness the state’s blue economy. Governor Fubara stated this on Tuesday during an inspection visit to the project site in Andoni Local Government Area. The road, handled by Monier Construction Company (MCC), passes through challenging coastal terrain and leads to a newly identified beachfront facing the Atlantic Ocean. He explained that while the initial plan was to link Oyorokoto Town and its beach, the project was expanded to create a new…

Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least nine people after Israel accused Hamas of violating the US-brokered ceasefire deal and staging the discovery of a deceased hostage.  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to carry out “immediate, powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip,” his office announced, a decision that was communicated to the US.The Israeli military claimed that Hamas attacked Israeli troops with RPG and sniper fire east of the “yellow line” in the Rafah area of southern Gaza. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Hamas would pay a “heavy price” for the attack on Israel Defense Forces…

The Edo State Government has given former deputy governor Godwin Omobayo a one-week ultimatum to return all government property and assets still in his possession. Omobayo was sworn in on April 8, 2024, by Chief Judge Daniel Okungbowa after being nominated by former Governor Godwin Obaseki, following a fallout with then–deputy governor Phillip Shaibu. However, Shaibu was later reinstated by the state House of Assembly, rendering Omobayo’s brief tenure illegitimate. In a statement on Tuesday, October 28, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said all official items used or acquired by Omobayo during his short period in office…

Nobel laureate and playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, has revealed that the United States government has permanently revoked his visa. Speaking at a media parley held on Tuesday at Freedom Park, Lagos, Soyinka said he received an official letter from the U.S. Consulate dated October 23, 2025, informing him that his B1/B2 visa had been withdrawn under U.S. Department of State regulations. The letter, he explained, stated that the visa was revoked because “additional information became available” after it was issued. Soyinka, however, said he was unaware of any wrongdoing or reason that could have led to the decision. “I am…

Madagascar’s military-led government on Tuesday appointed a cabinet made up mostly of civilian ministers, and includes several prominent critics of ousted president Andry Rajoelina. New military ruler, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was sworn in as president on Friday, after taking control of the country earlier this month following weeks of youth-led protests that forced out his predecessor . Randrianirina has said that a committee led by the military will rule for up to two years alongside a transitional government until new elections can be organised. Only 4 of the 29 cabinet members are military or paramilitary officers. They were appointed to…

A house of representatives committee says terrorists have threatened to bomb the national assembly. Garba Muhammad, chairman of the committee on internal security of the national assembly, spoke during a public hearing on Tuesday. The hearing was organised to consider a bill seeking to establish the legislative security directorate in the national assembly, which will outline the qualifications and conditions of service for the sergeant-at-arms and other personnel. “Security is very crucial to all arms of government, especially to the legislative arm because it is an institution where legislators, staff, executive, judiciary, individuals, organisations, protesters, demonstrators, and many more troop…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu for his role in the emergence of Nigeria’s candidate, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, as the new Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). The national oil company described it as a historic moment for Nigeria and a testimony to the federal government’s gas agenda aimed at utilising natural gas as a major fuel for industrial growth and economic development. Mshelbila, who was elected at the Forum’s 27th Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar, succeeds Algeria’s Mohamed Hamel as the 5th scribe of…

The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, has received the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs on their maiden courtesy visit to his office at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja. The delegation led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, includes the Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke. A statement by the Minister’s office says, “The visit underscores the Minister’s commitment to building a cohesive defence leadership anchored on trust,…

THE House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged mismanagement of financial grants totaling $25 million allegedly received by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025. Lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent public importance on Tuesday, sponsored by Adedayo Adesola (Lagos) and Felix Nwaeke (Rivers), demanding a full probe into the NFF’s handling of international football grants. The motion, titled “Misuse of FIFA and CAF Grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” expressed concern that years of alleged financial irregularities within the NFF contributed to the decline in the performance of…