Author: Vardiafrica

Votes are being counted in Namibia in what could be the most competitive election since independence from white-ruled South Africa 34 years ago. The poll was marred by logistical issues with voting continuing for an unscheduled second day on Thursday in some areas. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is seeking to become the country’s first female president. She is the candidate of the governing South West Africa’s People’s Organisation (Swapo), to replace Hage Geingob, who died in February after nine years in office But high unemployment, poverty, inequality and corruption allegations have eroded support for the party. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s main challenger is Panduleni Itula…

THE TERTIARY Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced the immediate suspension of its foreign scholarships to academic staff of tertiary institutions across the country. While implementation of the new policy is with effect from January 1, 2025, academic staff who are already enrolled in foreign institutions will continue to draw down on the sponsorship up to the end of their respective programmes. The announcement, contained in a circular to all vice chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics and provosts of colleges of education, dated November 25, 2024, is personally signed by TETFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono. Arc. Echono cited higher…

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has performed the inaugural harvest of its Rice and Cassava Farmers Empowerment Programme at Warrake in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. Speaking at the first harvest at a rice farm in Warrake, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the event as a significant day in the history of agricultural programmes in the Niger Delta region. Ogbuku, represented by the NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Winifred Madume, expressed delight at the young farmers’ enthusiasm for boosting food production.He declared: “This farm’s success is significant because it has adopted full…

 President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday Nigeria is “open for business” as he embarked on a state visit to France, with Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent. The 72-year-old president met with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, during the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades. Advertising Macron, 46, who has sought a “renewal” between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election, said his country will “continue to invest” in Nigeria, at a time when France’s influence on the continent is…

The House of Representatives on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).  While the constitution does not make provision for confirmation of appointments by the House of Representatives, the lawmakers adopted a report of its ad–hoc committee on the confirmation/screening of the Acting Chief of Army Staff and confirmed the appointment of Lieutenant General Oluyede as the Chief of Army Staff. Chairman of the committee Babajimi Benson in presenting the report, said Lt. Gen. Oluyede had satisfied all requirements. President Bola Tinubu appointed Oluyede in an acting capacity in October following former army chief Taoreed…

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Thursday began a two-day visit to France, with both sides seeking increased economic cooperation and Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent. French President Emmanuel Macron greeted his counterpart at the historic Invalides memorial complex, with the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades. The two national anthems rang out in the courtyard of one of Paris’s landmarks, kicking off a visit focused on encouraging economic partnerships between France and Africa’s most populous country. Macron has sought a “renewal” between Paris and Africa since his…

The United Kingdom has launched Africa’s biggest visa application centre in Lagos State. It was opened on Wednesday through the UK’s new commercial partner – VFS Global. Residents of Nigeria travelling to the UK can now book appointments to submit their visa applications via VFS Global’s new state-of-the-art Visa Application Centres (VAC) located in Abuja, Ikeja (Lagos), and Victoria Island (Lagos) which have commenced operations on 19 November. “I am delighted to witness the opening of this, the largest visa application centre in Africa. Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important partners, and we hope that VFS deliver ever…

Workers in the Rivers State government civil service, on Wednesday, commended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara for implementing the N85,000 minimum wage he promised. On announcement of the new minimum wage for the workers, Governor Fubara had assured that implementation will commence from November salary. It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in July this year approved N70,000 minimum wage nationally, following pressures by the Nigeria Labour Union as a way to tackle the current economic challenges in the country. Considering the impact of the civil servants in Rivers State, Governor Fubara announced N85,000 as the new minimum wage…

The immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others, have pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Former Governor Bello, who is the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryann Anenih of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, as they were read out to them. After taking their plea, the defendant’s counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail. But the EFCC counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, saying it had expired in October. Making clarifications, the Defendant’s Counsel clarified this, saying that the…

The Federal Government has outlined a plan to attract significant investments in infrastructure upgrades, with the goal of tapping into the global hydrogen economy that is forecast to hit $200bn by 2030. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Ella, said integrating hydrogen into the nation’s energy ecosystem can significantly contribute to achieving our target of reducing carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2030. This was as Vice President Kashim Shettima noted that building human capital in hydrogen technologies is critical to the viability of a hydrogen economy in the country. The strategic call to begin the…