Author: Vardiafrica

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has faulted plans by the Federal Government to buy new jets for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Obi, in a Monday post on X (formerly Twitter), urged the current government to focus on alleviating the suffering of the people and not splurging scarce resources on the acquisition of new presidential jets. Last week, the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence asked the Federal Government to purchase new aircraft for Tinubu and Shettima. The committee’s recommendation followed its investigation into the status of the aircraft in the…

There is tension across some of the twenty-three local government areas in Rivers state as the tenure of the council chairmen expires today, June 17, by midnight. The tension was ignited by the decision of the LG chairmen in the state under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria to remain in office citing the Local Government Amendment Law No 2 of the 2024 by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 House of Assembly members extending their tenure by six months. The State ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, who is also the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, insisted that…

Some parts of Ghana and other West African countries are currently experiencing blackouts due to a lingering disruption in gas supply from Nigeria. According to findings by our correspondent, there have been blackouts in several cities in Ghana, Republic of Benin and Togo, following the development. The West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited in Accra, Ghana, had on Wednesday announced it was experiencing a drop in gas volumes available for transportation. In a statement, WAPCO said one of its gas producers in Nigeria was carrying out some maintenance works. As a result, the gas producer was said to have shut…

The  Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has revealed plans by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to lift the visa ban imposed on Nigerian travellers soon Keyamo, during a 44-minute interview with the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, Otega Ogra, on the State House YouTube, noted that a resolution has been reached between President Bola Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during Tinubu’s visit to the UAE in September 2023. According to him, although the UAE had initially listed additional processes to be met before the ban could be officially lifted, the Nigerian government has…

A former deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has declared support for the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, in the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo state. According to Shaibu, the governorship race started with three homeboys – himself, Okpebholo, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP). “I will support a homeboy. I came into politics to contest as the governor of Edo State because I need the government to return to homeboys – people who understand our plight, people who understand what the people are feeling. Even the United Nations talks about the…

Senegal has achieved its first oil as it officially joins the list of oil-producing countries in West Africa. The country began producing oil for the first time last week, with the Sangomar deep-water project aiming to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day. “The Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 is a deepwater project including a stand-alone floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility with a nameplate capacity of 100, 000 barrels/day, and subsea infrastructure that is designed to allow subsequent development phases. “This is a historic day, a key milestone for Woodside and Senegal,” said Australian energy giant, Woodside while…

Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George, has resigned after a poor run of games in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The former Nigerian international confirmed his resignation to Channels Television on Saturday. “Yes, it is true. I have resigned,” he wrote in response to enquiries. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to react to this development. George led the Eagles to a 1-1 draw against South Africa at home in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan, putting Nigeria’s qualification to the World Cup in serious doubt. The two results extended Nigeria’s winless run in…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has advised Muslims and other Nigerians to be cautious while engaging in religious and social activities during the Sallah celebrations.  The DSS also urged them to observe all necessary personal security procedures. The advise was contained in a statement on signed by the Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications Department, Peter Afunanya, and made available to journalists on Saturday. The Service also advised operators and patrons of malls, parks and railway stations among others to ensure strict compliance with physical and other security measures required for public safety. “It is strongly advised that while…

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected for a second term on Friday after his humbled ANC cobbled together an unprecedented coalition government Lawmakers in Cape Town voted overwhelmingly to put Ramaphosa, 71, back in office for another five years after the May 29 general election that produced no outright winner. “I accordingly declare honourable M.C. Ramaphosa duly elected President,” Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said after the votes were counted. Last month’s election marked a historic turning point for South Africa, ending three decades of dominance by the African National Congress of the late Nelson Mandela. The party that led…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the nomination of at least 555 people to serve as Pro-Chancellors/Chairmen and Governing Board members of 111 federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.This followed Tinubu’s approval of a list of nominees selected by the Ministry of Education. When contacted for confirmation, the Presidency said the list emanated from the Ministry of Education. “This is from the Federal Ministry of Education…they make the nominations and forward them to the President to sign. But they are at liberty to release it from their end,” the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, told our…