Author: Vardiafrica

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has issued a firm directive to all commissioners and political appointees to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or resign from their positions. Speaking during the ongoing State Executive Council meeting, the Governor stated unequivocally that his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was final. “Anybody who claims he is not aware of my intention to leave PDP is still living in the 18th century,” he declared. Governor Eno said his admiration for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership style has influenced his decision to align with the…

Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to bar the institution from enrolling international students, calling the move an unconstitutional act of retaliation for resisting political pressure from the White House. The lawsuit, submitted Friday, May 23, in federal court in Boston, argues that the action violates the First Amendment and threatens to devastate the university’s operations and its international student population, which exceeds 7,000. “With the stroke of a pen, the government has sought to erase a quarter of Harvard’s student body, international students who contribute significantly to the University and its…

The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has hinted on taking over the possession of the 4,794 revoked properties over non-payment of ground rent between 10 and 43 years starting from Monday. The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, disclosed this while briefing Journalists in Abuja on Friday. It could be recalled that the FCT Administration had on March 17 announced the revocation of the 4,794 land titles over non-payment of ground rent for more than 10 years. The Administration explained that the action contravened the terms and conditions of grant…

Denmark is set to have the highest retirement age in Europe, after lawmakers voted to raise it to 70. Parliamentarians passed a bill mandating the rise on Thursday, with 81 votes in favor and 21 against. The new law will apply to people born after December 31, 1970. The current retirement age is 67 on average, but it can go up to 69 for those born on January 1, 1967, or later. The rise is needed in order to be able to “afford proper welfare for future generations,” employment minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen said in a press release Thursday. Denmark has a…

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has said that the ‘sit-at-home’ order enforced in the South-East by separatist groups is fast losing its grip, with security conditions in the region showing marked improvements. Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Summit in Abuja on Thursday, where the Federal Government presented its two-year scorecard, Ribadu gave an account of progress made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration across key security flashpoints in the country. Ribadu noted that key figures of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), have either been captured or neutralised,…

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, escalating tensions between the federal government and the Ivy League institution. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Harvard is now barred from enrolling foreign students, and existing international students must either transfer or risk losing their legal immigration status. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered the termination of Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification. This decision follows the university’s refusal to submit conduct records of foreign students requested by DHS last month. In a letter addressed to Harvard, Noem accused the university of “perpetuating an…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Division aimed at strengthening its capacity for data-driven decision-making, risk management, and the automation of voter services. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize Nigeria’s electoral system through technological innovation. Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed the development in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja. He said the decision was reached during the Commission’s regular weekly meeting, where members discussed the growing relevance of AI to electoral processes both in Nigeria and globally. According to Olumekun,…

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has announced that oil production will soon resume in Ogoniland, more than 30 years after drilling activities were halted in the region. Ribadu made the disclosure on Thursday during a presentation at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national summit held in Abuja. He noted that this development comes as part of the broader achievements under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, adding that Nigeria’s oil production had climbed to an average of 1.8 million barrels per day in 2025. Ribadu highlighted significant progress in tackling oil theft and vandalism, reporting a 47 percent drop in infractions. He…

The Federal Government has instituted a suit against the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over alleged defamatory remarks made on live television. The suit filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on May 16, 2025, has Akpoti-Uduaghan as the sole defendant. The government accused the senator of “making imputation knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm the reputation of a person”, citing Section 391 of the penal code, CAP 89, laws of the federation, 1990. The offence is punishable under Section 392 of the same law. The list of witnesses shows that the Senate…

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday transmitted a budget proposal of N1.48 trillion for the Rivers State Government to the National Assembly for consideration and passage. The President in a letter to the Senate read to the Lawmakers by the Senate, Senator Godswilll Akpabio, said the budget proposal became necessary because of the nullification of the 2025 budget of the state by the Supreme Court and the fact that the state is currently under emergency rule. The President said that ₦324bn of the amount will be expended on infrastructure, ₦166bn on health, ₦75.6bn on education and ₦31.4bn on agriculture. He added…