Author: Vardiafrica

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in partnership with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), has commenced a 12-month Human Capacity Development (HCD) programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with critical competencies required to support supply base operations within the oil and gas industry. The programme, which kicked off on Tuesday, at the LADOL free zone, Apapa, Lagos, will train 12 beneficiaries through a structured combination of classroom learning and practical industry exposure in specialised areas that support logistics, trade, procurement, and supply chain operations. Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. The Returning Officer for the election, Adenike Oladiji, announced the result at about 3:13 a.m. on Sunday, declaring that Oyebanji secured a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals in the contest conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas. Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African…

The US Government through the State Department will offer a “premium” expedited service for foreigners seeking business or tourist visas to come to the United States that will set applicants back $750, including the initial fee of $185, it was learnt. In a notice to be published in the Federal Register, the department said it will unveil a pilot programme that will allow visa applicants to pay the $750 to schedule an appointment for an interview within 10 days of the payment at select US embassies and consulates. The pilot programme will run from July 1 to December 31, according…

Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a landmark 3-1 comeback victory over New Zealand on Monday, securing the Pharaohs’ first-ever FIFA World Cup win and sending them to the top of Group G. The triumph ended a 92-year wait for a World Cup victory and marked a significant milestone in Egyptian football history as Hossam Hassan’s side recovered from a first-half deficit to claim all three points. Egypt found themselves behind at the interval after defender Finn Surman powered home a header from a corner to give New Zealand a deserved lead. The All Whites had looked the more organised and…

US President Donald Trump unveiled on Friday a replacement Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar, which he dubbed a “flying White House”. “This is considered the world’s most luxurious plane,” Trump said at a speech inside the plane’s hangar, praising the gulf emirate for being “so nice and providing” it. Qatar’s gift of the aircraft — valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars — has raised ethical, constitutional and security concerns. Trump has previously said it would be “stupid” to reject the gift, while also stoking further concern by saying the plane would eventually be donated to his…

As part of measures to rid the state of violent crimes, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Thursday, 18 June, 2026 threatened to publicly execute convicted kidnappers and cultists.Okpebholo made the vow on while addressing newsmen during the parade of suspected kidnappers arrested by operatives of the Edo state police command. The Governor said his administration would set up a special court for trial and public execution of criminals to serve as a deterrent. “We are not joking. We are working day and night to ensure that this land is safe .So, I want to appeal to our people, stay…

The federal government has disbursed about N13 billion worth of interest-free loans to 7,450 academic and non-academic workers across 153 public tertiary institutions nationwide. In a statement issued on Friday, Boriowo Folashade, director of press and publications at the federal ministry of education, said the disbursement forms part of the 2025/2026 cycle of the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF). According to the ministry, the intervention reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to improving the welfare, financial wellbeing and productivity of education workers under the renewed hope agenda. Established by the ministry of education and administered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), the…

The Federal Government has appealed to Nigerian journalists to prioritise national stability and patriotism by keeping activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements off their front pages. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal at a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja yesterday. The summit organised in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) has as its theme: “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building.” Idris said while the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu remains fully committed to upholding press freedom, responsible journalism…

The federal government has issued guidelines for the implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, setting out the transition process from repealed tax laws to Nigeria’s new tax framework, which took effect from January 1, 2026. The guidelines, released by the federal ministry of finance, provide direction to taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities and other stakeholders on how to address various issues arising during the transition period. This was announced on Thursday in a statement by Efe Ovuakporie, director of press relations at the federal ministry of finance. According to the document, the Tax Acts 2025 — comprising the Nigeria Revenue…

The United Arab Emirates has become the first Arab nation to prohibit children under the age of 15 from creating or operating personal social media accounts, joining a growing list of countries tightening regulations to protect minors in the digital age. The landmark policy, approved by the UAE Cabinet on Thursday, places the Gulf nation at the forefront of global efforts to address concerns over children’s exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying, predatory behaviour, excessive screen time, and the collection of personal data by technology platforms. Unlike some jurisdictions that permit younger users to access social media with parental consent,…