Author: Vardiafrica

President Donald Trump praised the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for their courage as they signed onto a deal on Thursday aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Congo and opening the region’s critical mineral reserves to the U.S. government and American companies. The moment offered Trump — who has repeatedly and with a measure of exaggeration boasted of brokering peace in some of the world’s most entrenched conflicts — another chance to tout himself as a dealmaker extraordinaire on the global stage and make the case that he’s deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. The U.S. leader hasn’t been shy about his desire…

Burkina Faso’s military rulers will bring back the death penalty, which was abolished in 2018, the country’s Council of Ministers announced on Thursday. “This draft penal code reinstates the death penalty for a number of offences, including high treason, acts of terrorism, acts of espionage, among others,” stated the information service of the Burkinabe government. Burkina Faso last carried out an execution in 1988. The death penalty was then abolished 30 years later under the civilian government of Roch Marc Christian Kabore. ‘Broader reforms’ Burkina has been led by Captain Ibrahim Traore since a 2022 military coup. Since taking power, Traore has…

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Amaewhule defected along with 16 other members of the House on Friday. The defectors blamed their departure from the PDP on the crisis in the party. Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1). Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru…

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday in Abuja, assured the global community that Nigeria remains fully committed to promoting peace, harmony, and prosperity across borders by strengthening partnerships to resolve emerging challenges. The President gave the assurance after receiving Letters of Credence from 17 ambassadors and four high commissioners at the Council Chamber in the State House. President Tinubu urged the diplomats to engage meaningfully with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on all areas of shared interest and mutual benefits, noting that he maintains an open-door policy. “On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I warmly welcome you to…

The Federal Government has approved the payment of N185 billion in long-standing debts owed to natural gas producers, in a move aimed at revitalising the gas sector and improving electricity generation across the country. The intervention, authorised by President Bola Tinubu and endorsed on Wednesday by the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, is regarded as one of the most significant financial commitments to Nigeria’s energy sector in recent years. In a statement on Thursday, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Dr Ekperikpe Ekpo, said the settlement of the debts would deliver wide-ranging benefits, beginning…

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, bringing to an end a distinguished decade with the Super Eagles just weeks before the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco. Troost-Ekong, 31, confirmed in an emotional statement that his final appearance for Nigeria came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff defeat to DR Congo — a loss that ended the country’s qualification hopes. He said in a social media post on Thursday that he is calling time on a career defined by leadership, resilience and unbroken commitment. “Every single time I put on…

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Christopher Musa, former chief of defence staff (CDS), as the new minister of defence. Musa replaces Mohammed Badaru, who recently resigned on health grounds. The brief ceremony took place at the State House on Thursday — a day after the senate screened and confirmed Musa’s nomination. In a post on X, Tinubu praised the senate for its “expedited confirmation”, adding that Musa’s appointment comes at a “critical juncture” in the lives of Nigerians. “Two days ago, I transmitted the name of General Christopher G. Musa, our immediate past Chief of Defence Staff and a…

President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called on African entrepreneurs to invest in the continent as a priority. Dangote advised while speaking at the ‘Imo State Economic Summit 2025’ held in the State on Thursday. According to him, local investments will in turn attract foreign investments, adding that foreigners would not feel the need to come to the continent if local investors failed to play their part. “I want to first of all thank President Bola Tinubu for his bold policies, which are already yielding results. He really took some bold economic steps, one of…

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, immediate past sole administrator of Rivers state and former naval chief, as a non-career ambassador. Tinubu also named Ita Enang, the former senator; Chioma Ohakim, former Imo state first lady; and Abdulrahman Dambazau, former minister of interior and former chief of army staff, as non-career ambassadors. Their names were absent from the earlier batch of ambassadorial nominees released by the presidency. Tinubu’s latest nominations were conveyed in a letter read on the floor of the senate by Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary. In the correspondence, the president urged lawmakers to give the…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the October 4, 2024 judgment of the Federal High Court that barred the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), from stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating them, or imposing fines on motorists. Delivering judgment on Thursday, December 4, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved all three issues raised for determination against the appellant, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services. Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who read the lead judgment, held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the decision of the…