Author: Vardiafrica

After more than five months of war, the UN Security Council for the first time Monday demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after the United States, Israel’s ally which vetoed previous drafts, abstained. Drawing unusual applause in the normally staid Security Council, all 14 other members voted in favor of the resolution which “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The resolution calls for the truce to lead to a “lasting, sustainable ceasefire” and demands that Hamas and other militants free hostages seized in their October 7 attack that triggered the massive Israeli military campaign.…

The Federal Government says Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has been invited by security agencies for questioning over some comments he made on the activities of bandits. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, who briefed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, said nobody is above the law and found guilty, Gumi will be reprimanded. “The security agencies are up and doing. Sheikh Gumi or any other person is not above the law. If he he suggestions that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that…

Bassirou Diomaye Faye, 44, is set to win the keenly contested presidential election in West Africa’s more stable democracies, as major contender, Amadou Ba conceded defeat. From a Dakar prison to the presidency, Senegal’s anti-establishment Bassirou Diomaye Faye embodies the winning charisma of his mentor and opposition figurehead Ousmane Sonko, who endorsed him as his replacement “Bassirou is me,” said Sonko of his number two, who at the age of 44 is set to become Senegal’s youngest head of state after his main rival in the presidential election recognised his victory on Monday. The former tax inspector has risen in…

Senegal’s ruling coalition candidate Amadou Ba has conceded defeat in the just concluded presidential election. Ba on Monday called Bassirou Diomaye Faye, to recognise the opposition candidate’s win in Sunday’s presidential election. “Considering the trends of the presidential election results and awaiting the official declaration, I congratulate the president Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye on his victory in the first round,” Ba said in a statement on Monday. Since Sunday evening when the polls closed, opposition party supporters have been celebrating on the streets around the country though the vote count is still on and results are not expected until later…

The recently released Kuriga schoolchildren have arrived at the Kaduna government house to meet Uba Sani, the state governor. The schoolchildren, dressed in new clothes, arrived at the government house Monday afternoon after undergoing medical checkups. The Kaduna governor had in the early hours of Sunday announced the release of the students. They were abducted by bandits on March 7 from their schools in the Kuriga community, Chikun LGA. Sani said all the 137 abducted students were released except the teacher who died in captivity SEE PHOTOS Advertisement

The federal government says no ransom was paid to secure the release of 137 schoolchildren abducted from the Kuriga community, Chikun LGA in Kaduna state. Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, told State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday, that the federal government had vowed not to pay ransom to secure the release of abducted victims. The minister commended the national security adviser (NSA) and service chiefs for the role they played in securing the release of the schoolchildren. He said President Bola Tinubu has asked security agencies to intensify efforts to stop the menace of kidnapping across…

The Coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has announced that the Federal Government has allocated N37.4 billion to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) oncology initiative to deliver six cancer centres across the country in two years. The initiative is a result of the partnership agreement between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). This agreement aims to provide project management and advisory services to ensure the seamless implementation of the Oncology Initiative. According to the minister, this move is a pivotal component of the government’s comprehensive Health Sector Renewal Investment Program,…

In a significant move aimed at upholding fiscal responsibility and preserving the economic integrity of the nation, the Federal Government has taken legal action against Binance, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange platform. The charges, formally lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja, were announced on Monday by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Designated as suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, the lawsuit implicates Binance with a four-count tax evasion accusation. Accompanying the crypto company as second and third defendants in the suit are Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, both senior executives of Binance currently held in custody by the Economic and Financial…

Senegal’s anti-establishment candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye appeared early Monday to be closing in on victory in a presidential poll that follows several years of unrest and a political crisis, while the governing coalition said it was certain of a second-round vote. Whoever comes out on top will be tasked with steering Senegal, viewed as a beacon of democracy in coup-hit West Africa, out of its recent troubles and managing revenues from oil and gas reserves that are shortly to start production. Uncertainty reigned over the outcome of the poll, with official results not expected before the end of the week…

Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), on Sunday, ended their seven-day warning strike. In a circular to branch chairmen at public universities all over the coutry, SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, directed SSANU and NASU members to resume work from Monday, March 25, 2024. One-Week Shutdown The two unions began a seven-day warning strike on Monday, March 18, 2024 over withheld salaries with workers in registry, bursary, works and maintenance, security, and students’ affairs withdrawing their services. Our correspondents who visited public universities across the country observed that nothing moved administratively within any…