Author: Vardiafrica

The Nigerian military has announced the surrender of top leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) alongside 76 foot soldiers and some of their family members following sustained military operations in the North-East. The Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammad Goni, disclosed the development in a statement released on Sunday night. According to the military, the insurgents abandoned their enclaves and laid down their arms as a result of relentless military pressure mounted by troops under Operation Hadin Kai. The statement read, “The Joint Task Force (North…

The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, insisting that the proposed constitutional amendment is a response to the country’s growing security challenges rather than a politically motivated initiative. In a statement issued on Sunday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs of the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele described the bill as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency”, adding that it emerged from broad national consultations rather than partisan interests. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill,…

President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania has held high level talks with President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, on a major expansion of the Group’s investments in Tanzania, with discussions focusing on transport infrastructure, fertiliser production, power generation, ports and regional trade. The meeting, held at the State House in Dar es Salaam, reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between Tanzania and the Dangote Group while opening discussions on a new phase of investments aligned with the country’s industrialisation and economic transformation agenda. Speaking after the meeting, Dangote said Tanzania remains one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations,…

The federal ministry of works has banned commercial motorcycles and tricycles from operating on the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. The restriction takes effect this week, according to a statement issued on Sunday by Olufemi Dare, federal controller of works in Lagos. The ministry said the decision forms part of a broader traffic management and infrastructure protection strategy aimed at preserving the newly constructed highway and improving road safety. According to the ministry, the measure is intended to prevent misuse of the multi-billion-naira road and reduce premature deterioration. Francis Nwaze, senior special assistant to David Umahi, minister of works, confirmed the development…

African football has made a historic achievement, with nine of the ten national teams reaching the knockout stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ghana, DR Congo, and Algeria all advanced from the group stage. Tunisia was the only African nation eliminated. This accomplishment sets a new record for African football. Prior to 2026, the highest number of African teams to reach the knockout stage stood at two, a record set in both the 2014 and 2022 World Cups. Several African teams impressed by taking points from some of the world’s…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched ‘read your label’ campaign to ensure consumers’ safety. The campaign also aims to curb the rising non-communicable diseases (NCD) burden linked to the excessive consumption of ultra-processed food (UFP). Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Abuja, Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of NAFDAC, said that the ability to read food labels effectively could have a direct impact on disease prevention and management. Adeyeye noted that non-communicable diseases account for about 29 percent of deaths in Nigeria, of which cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are…

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima has hailed the contributions of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to the Nigerian economy, describing them as the engine room of the nation. Shettima, who spoke on Saturday in Abuja during the 8th National MSME Awards Abuja, noted that the current administration was building an entire ecosystem that nurtures innovation, provides essential infrastructure, and removes barriers that have historically held back small businesses in Nigeria. According to him, “90 per cent of all Nigerian businesses are MSMEs. They are the largest employers of labour in this country, providing jobs for over 60 million of…

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved a major reshuffling of senior officers across the Nigerian Army, appointing new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), field commanders, commandants and principal staff officers as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and enhance the country’s response to evolving security threats. The development was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele. According to the statement, the redeployments affect key operational, command, training and staff appointments across the Nigerian Army and are aimed at consolidating the force’s capacity to…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the free formalization and corporate registration of 250,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria in a move aimed at supporting small businesses and expanding financial inclusion. The announcement was made on Saturday during the 8th National MSME Awards 2026 at the State House in Abuja. According to the Presidency, the initiative is designed to remove the financial burden associated with business registration for nano, micro, and small enterprises, allowing more entrepreneurs to become part of Nigeria’s formal business, banking, and regulatory system. Under the programme, selected beneficiaries will receive business name registration through…

Zimbabwe’s upper house of parliament has approved a bill to ​extend presidential terms from five to seven ‌years, which will allow current President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030. 75 senators voted in favour of ​the draft legislation while four voted against ​it, above a threshold needed for a two-thirds ⁠majority. The bill, which also includes a provision ​for the president to be elected by parliament rather ​than by direct popular vote, will become law when Mnangagwa signs it. Evidence that 83 years old Mnangagwa wanted to stay in power ​beyond the end of his second term ​in 2028…