Author: Vardiafrica

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on staff of the commission to work collectively to build an institution “trusted by all and sundry” and ensure that every eligible voter is empowered and every vote truly counts. In his New Year message for 2026 titled: ‘A Season of Renewal’, Amupitan expressed optimism that credible electoral processes can be achieved through unity, discipline and collective effort, as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum. Addressing national commissioners, resident electoral commissioners, directors and staff nationwide, Amupitan said the New Year represents a moment of…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn in five newly appointed Special Advisers. He also reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to move forward with determination and recover lost ground. Fubara, at the swearing-in ceremony at the Government House, noted that his government had the resilience required to deliver on its mandate. He explained that the appointments were made to strengthen governance and ensure the smooth running of his administration. He also noted that the appointees were not new to government, stressing that their prior experience meant they clearly understood the philosophy and objectives of his administration. According to him, their familiarity…

The Chinese government has reportedly introduced a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while exempting childcare services, in a bid to address its declining birth rates. According to BBC News, Official figures show China’s population has shrunk for the third year in a row, with just 9.54 million babies born in 2024, roughly half the number recorded a decade ago. From January 1, contraceptives that were exempt from value-added tax (VAT) for over three decades are now subject to a 13% levy. The exemption dated back to 1994, when China was firmly enforcing its one-child policy. The revised…

Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo has fired up the Mambas with a huge financial motivation ahead of their historic Round of 16 encounter against Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Mozambique players sing national anthem before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier game between Mozambique and Mali at Estadio do Zimpeto in Maputo, Mozambique on 15 November 2024 © Jaime Machel/BackpagePixIn a message congratulating the team on their first-ever knockout stage qualification, President Chapo promised an extraordinary bonus of 500,000 meticais – equivalent to approximately ₦11.3 million or around $7,800 – for each player and…

Netanyahu said their support was central to the emergence and survival of Israel, noting that “Christian Zionism facilitated the rise and success of Jewish Zionism.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel will open what he described as a new front aimed at protecting Christian communities across Africa and the Middle East, amid what he said were growing global threats to what he termed the “Judeo-Christian civilization.” Netanyahu made the remarks in a public speech delivered on Wednesday and uploaded on the Israeli Prime Minister’s official YouTube channel. Addressing an audience he identified as Christian Zionists, Netanyahu said…

The political temperature in Abia State is already beginning to rise ahead of the 2027 general election, as the Senator representing Abia North at the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu, has pledged to do all within his power to deliver Abia State to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He made the pledge at Ekoli in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State during his annual New Year visit to the Chairman of the APC in Ebonyi State, Stanley Okoro-Emegha. The former Abia State Governor said he would deploy everything within his arsenal to ensure that the APC wrests power…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), on Friday, clashed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the trial of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.Apparently, the two agencies engaged themselves over who should be in charge of security during the trial of the former minister. On December 30, the Court ordered his remand at the Kuje correvtional centre til January 2, when his bail application will be heard.Both officials of the two agencies threatened to shoot themselves over who should…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has presented a budget estimate of N1.75 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Senate Committee on NDDC, chaired by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, chaired by Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake. Presenting the budget proposals at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the 2025 Budget, with the theme “Budget of Consolidation,” builds on the gains of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope and reflects the Commission’s deliberate shift from transactional to transformational development, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has officially metamorphosed into the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS),unveiling its new institutional brand identity. The development ushers a new dawn in revenue administration in the country as the new tax laws come into force today. The NRS came into operation following the signing of its enabling law known as the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025. Speaking at the unveiling of the logo yesterday in Abuja, Executive Chairman of NRS, Zacch Adedeji, explained that the logo and other brand elements for NRS represented an important milestone in…

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has formally withdrawn his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In a letter dated 29th December 2025 and addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Ampang West Ward in Mangu Local Government Area, Mutfwang announced his resignation with immediate effect. The letter, acknowledged by the ward leadership a day later, conveyed his appreciation to the party for providing a platform to participate in the democratic process. The letter reads: “I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the PDP with immediate effect.” “I sincerely appreciate the PDP for providing me the political…