Author: Vardiafrica

Barely a week after an explosion rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, another explosion has been reported at the Soku oil facility in Akuku Toru Local Government Area. The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), a prominent grassroots NGO active across the Niger Delta, confirmed the incident on Sunday, March 23. In a statement signed by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, its executive director, YEAC disclosed that its youth volunteers reported an early morning explosion accompanied by fireballs at the facility, which is operated by Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited. “An explosion accompanied by fireballs…

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has issued a strong warning to officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) against unlawful and prolonged detentions, stressing the need to uphold the fundamental rights of individuals in police custody. In a statement released on Sunday, the IGP reminded officers that respecting the legally stipulated detention periods is both a legal requirement and a key aspect of protecting human dignity, as guaranteed under Sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These sections safeguard the right to personal liberty and dignity. The statement was signed by…

Share In a historic milestone, the Italian newspaper Il Foglio has published an entire edition produced solely by artificial intelligence (AI). This pioneering step places Italy at the forefront of AI-powered journalism and ignites debate over AI’s future role in news reporting. The special edition, titled “Il Foglio AI,” is a four-page supplement containing 22 articles, three editorials, and AI-generated letters to the editor. It covers a range of subjects, including global politics, economic trends, and social issues, with references to world leaders such as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Claudio Cerasa, editor of Il Foglio, described the project as an experiment…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made his first public appearance since the declaration of a state of emergency in the state and his subsequent suspension from office. The governor was seen arriving for worship at the headquarters of Salvation Ministries in GRA, Port Harcourt, on Sunday. Fubara’s appearance comes days after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on Tuesday, citing escalating political tensions and security concerns. The declaration led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. In their place, the President appointed…

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has announced a $15 million grant to support 3,000 budding entrepreneurs from 52 African countries. TEF Founder, Mr Tony Elumelu, made this known on Sunday in Abuja during the unveiling of the 2025 cohort of the foundation’s Entrepreneurship Programme. He stated that each beneficiary would receive a $5,000 seed grant to kick-start their businesses. Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), reaffirmed his commitment to empowering African entrepreneurs and transforming the continent’s economic landscape. According to Elumelu, the foundation aims to democratise opportunity across the continent,…

A Nigerian lady, Ololade Ayelabola has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest catwalk by a model. Ololade who staged a fashion show in Lagos last October walked the longest distance on a catwalk by a model with a staggering total of 125.11 km (77.74 mi). But the 26-year-old wasn’t alone up there She was joined by an array of beautiful models that represented all different types of people, including those with albinism or vitiligo, those who had tribal marks, and plus size models. The Unilag graduate took over this title from Robert Brown and Lorraine McCourt, who…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations, assuring that necessary steps will be taken to ensure the prompt payment of workers’ salaries. Speaking during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt, Ibas described the gathering as a pivotal moment in the collective effort to restore stability and progress in the state. The Sole Administrator lamented the economic hardship in the Niger Delta, noting that despite the region’s wealth of natural resources, its people continue to suffer. “This is unacceptable,” he stated, emphasizing the need for transformation…

Inspector-General Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of additional police officers and resources to Rivers State following the declaration of state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The police boss said the effort, undertaken in collaboration with the Armed Forces and other security agencies, will bolster security, protect lives and property, and secure critical infrastructure. IGP Egbetokun emphasized that aggrieved individuals retain the right to seek legal redress through the appropriate judicial channels. In a statement issued last night by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said his boss warned against any…

Visa Inc., an American multinational payment card services corporation, has updated Vice President Kashim Shettima on plans to site data centre infrastructure in Nigeria. This is in addition to its investments of over $1 billion in the country, including a substantial technological partnership with MoniePoint to foster digital payment solutions, a $200 million investment in Interswitch, and a partnership with ThriveAgric to empower smallholder farmers and enhance food security in Nigeria. Visa’s Regional President for Central, & Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), Mr. Andrew Torre, disclosed this when he led a delegation of the company on a courtesy…

Namibia’s new president was sworn in on Friday to lead a country facing high rates of unemployment, inequality and poverty. And she will be dealing with it with the additional burden of being only Africa’s second-ever directly elected female president and Namibia’s first female head of state. “If things go well then it will be seen as a good example,” Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told BBC’s Africa Daily podcast. “But if anything then happens, like it can happen in any administration under men, there are also those who would rather say: ‘Look at women!'” The 72-year-old won November’s election with a 58%…