Author: Vardiafrica

President-elect Donald Trump’s official inauguration portrait has been unveiled, setting the stage for his swearing-in ceremony as the 47th president of the United States on January 20. The portrait, alongside that of Vice President-elect JD Vance, was revealed on X by Daniel Torok, the chief photographer for the transition team.  The release comes just days before Trump and Vance officially take the reins of leadership in Washington. A video showcasing the inauguration invitation and the portraits has continued to generate admiration from social media users. Supporters of Trump hailed the portrait as a symbolic glimpse into what they anticipate will be a defining second…

Mozambique’s new president Daniel Chapo took the oath of office Wednesday in front of a heavily guarded audience of dignitaries in the capital Maputo following weeks of violent demonstrations over the fiercely disputed election results. Chapo, 48, extends his Frelimo party’s 50-year rule of the gas-rich African nation amid claims by opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane that the vote was rigged, which sparked unrest that an NGO says has left more than 300 dead. Taking the oath, Chapo vowed “to devote all my energies to defending, promoting and consolidating national unity, human rights, democracy and the well-being of the Mozambican people”.…

Following a backlog of unpaid debts, the Nigerian Communications Commission has authorised telecommunications companies to disconnect the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes assigned to nine financial institutions. The directive signed by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka on Tuesday and obtained by Channels Television, noted that the affected banks are to pay the outstanding debts by January 27, 2025, or risk losing access to their USSD codes. The regulator did not, however, state the amount of the debt owed by the nine banks. According to the NCC public notice, nine out of 18 financial institutions had not complied with…

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested, six weeks after his short-lived attempt to impose martial law. A motorcade of black SUVs was seen leaving the gates of his hillside residence where he had been holed up for weeks behind barbed wire and a small army of personal security. Mr Yoon said the “rule of law has completely collapsed” in a video message recorded before he was escorted to the headquarters of an anti-corruption agency. He said he was complying with the detention warrant to prevent clashes between police and the presidential security service. However his compliance has…

In a clear message of zero tolerance for cash flow disruptions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sanctioned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for failing to make Naira notes available through automated teller machines (ATMs), during the yuletide season. Each bank was fined ₦150 million for non-compliance, in line with the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines, following spot checks on their branches. The enforcement action follows repeated warnings from the CBN to financial institutions to guarantee seamless cash availability, particularly during periods of high demand. The affected banks include Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, Union Bank Plc,…

A high-powered delegation from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters, led by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Edward Gabkwet, has arrived in Zamfara State to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the recent airstrike tragedy. During a courtesy visit to Governor Dauda Lawal at the Government House, AVM Gabkwet expressed the NAF’s condolences and reiterated its commitment to combating banditry and restoring peace to the region. He assured the governor that a thorough investigation into the incident would be conducted. Governor Lawal commended the NAF for its efforts in addressing the state’s security challenges and reaffirmed his administration’s support for security agencies to ensure…

The newly elected Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, has met with the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the apex decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 01 and previously served as Deputy Speaker under Mudashiru Obasa, was elected on Monday to succeed him. Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Meranda explained that the meeting with the GAC was to update them on recent developments in the assembly and to secure their endorsement. “We briefed them about what transpired at the House of Assembly yesterday and sought their…

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has threatened legal actions against Amnesty International for its 2024 report detailing how policemen attacked #EndBadGovernance protesters in August. For its publication titled Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on End Bad Governance Protests, the police asked the human rights organisation to retract the publication immediately and apologise publicly or face possible legal actions if the requests are not met. A briefing published by the rights organisation in November 2024 disclosed that at least 24 protesters were killed and 1,200 arrested during the nationwide August protest. However, the police, in a letter it wrote to Amnesty International on…

The Portuguese superstar, who will turn 40 on February 5, is set to extend his contract with the Saudi team until 2026, as his current deal expires this summer. Completely removed from the highest competitive level, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to score goals at nearly 40 years old. The meticulous Portuguese star is the focal point of an Al-Nassr side that showered him with riches to make him the main attraction of the Saudi league in January 2023. However, the staggering contract he signed back then, worth €200 million per season, including base salary and image rights, will come to an…

The Nigerian government has unveiled the Technology Export and Digital Trade Desk structured to push the annual funding for Nigerian startups to $5 billion. The initiative is aimed at creating more limelight for the country’s tech sector and various startup funding. Launched by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani on Monday, he pointed out that the initiative was launched in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. The minister highlighted that trade, which is the 5th Pillar of the Ministry’s strategic blueprint, brings a golden chance to enhance Nigerian technology export. Tijani…