Author: Vardiafrica

 President Donald Trump said there could be more strikes by the U.S. in Nigeria if Christians are killed in the African nation, even as Nigeria has previously denied Christians there are subjected to systematic persecution. Trump’s comments in an interview with the New York Times were published on the newspaper’s website on Thursday. Trump made the remarks when asked about Washington’s Christmas Day military strike in Nigeria. The U.S. military said at the time it carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria’s government. Nigeria said then that the strike was a “joint operation” targeting “terrorists,” and had…

The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has filed a formal petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, alleging abuse of office and corrupt enrichment. The petition, submitted through Dangote’s legal representative and Lead Counsel, Dr. O.J. Onoja, SAN, followed the withdrawal of an earlier complaint filed before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The shift to the EFCC, according to the petition, was a strategic decision aimed at expediting investigation and possible prosecution. In the…

Authorities in Jersey have agreed to repatriate more than $9.5 million (£7 million) in funds linked to corruption to the Nigerian government, marking another milestone in Nigeria’s long-running effort to recover assets looted during the military era. The funds, described as proceeds of “tainted property”, are believed to have been stolen by the late former military head of state, Sani Abacha, who ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998. The money was held in a bank account on the island of Jersey and had been the subject of prolonged legal proceedings. Although the assets were recovered during the administration of former…

The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, has condemned the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara by the Rivers State House of Assembly, demanding the removal of Nyesom Wike from his position as FCT Minister. IYC President, Alaye Theophilus announced this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, hours after lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu. The Ijaw group described the move as entirely contrary to the wishes of the people of Rivers State. It urged President Bola Tinubu to sack FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, accusing him of instigating unrest in the oil-rich state. “Recent…

The Rivers house of assembly says no political solution will halt the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Ngozi Odu, his deputy. The assembly had on Thursday commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Odu over allegations of “gross misconduct”. Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the assembly, had accused the governor and his deputy of posing a threat to democracy in the state. Amaewhule also faulted the governor for “deliberately refusing” to present the state budget in line with constitutional provisions. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Enemi George, spokesperson of the assembly, said lawmakers are determined to see the process through.…

The U.S. Senate advanced a resolution on Thursday that would bar President Donald Trump from further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader. The vote on a procedural measure to advance the war powers resolution was 52 to 47, as five of Trump’s Republicans voted with every Democrat in favor of moving ahead. One Republican senator did not vote. The vote took place days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas on Saturday. The rebuke for Trump, a day after senior cabinet members briefed every member of…

The federal government has unveiled a reusable textbook policy it says would slash the cost of education and improve learning outcomes across the country. The policy mandates that textbooks be standardised to last between four and six years. The education ministry, in a statement on Friday, also disclosed plans to introduce a uniform academic calendar for schools nationwide. Under the new guidelines, the government has prohibited the use of disposable workbooks, ensuring that textbooks can be reused across academic sessions or passed down among siblings. The ministry said this move is expected to significantly lower the recurring financial burden on Nigerian families. As…

President Bola Tinubu has praised corporate Nigeria, citizens, and other stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market for surpassing the N100 trillion milestone on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). President Tinubu described this record achievement as an inspiration for the investing public operating in the money and capital markets. He urged Nigerians to deepen their investments in the local economy, assuring that 2026 will yield even greater returns as his administration’s economic reforms continue to deliver stronger outcomes. “With the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) crossing the historic N100 trillion market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality…

Donald Trump has said that Venezuela will only buy US-made products with revenue from its oil sales. On Wednesday, Jan. 7, Trump said Venezuela would only buy US-made products with the profits it makes from any deal with Washington to sell oil. “I have just been informed that Venezuela is going to be purchasing ONLY American Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal,” the US President said in a social media post.   Trump said the purchases will include agricultural products, medicine, medical devices and equipment to improve Venezuela’s grid and energy facilities. Trump said Tuesday, Jan. 6, that Venezuela would…

Martins Amaewhule, speaker of the Rivers house of assembly, has accused Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Ngozi Odu, his deputy, of posing a threat to democracy.  Earlier today, the assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against governor and his deputy over “gross misconduct”. Speaking shortly after, Amaewhule condemned the governor for “deliberately refusing” to present the state budget as required by law. “Nothing is holding the government from presenting the budget; he chose not to,” Amaewhule said. “And the governor has been boasting that he will always go and meet the president, for the president to call us and give us instructions. “He…