Author: Vardiafrica

President Bola Tinubu has held a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, in Paris, France, where both leaders discussed global affairs and issues affecting Africa. The closed-door lunch marks the first public appearance of President Tinubu since he departed Nigeria on December 28, for Europe on an end-of-year break and ahead of an official engagement in the Middle East. President Tinubu had left Lagos on Sunday, December 28, to continue his end-of-year break before proceeding on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates. A statement earlier issued by the Special Adviser to the…

The Janaza (funeral prayer) for the close associates of boxing star Anthony Joshua is set to be held on Sunday in London. Sina Ghami and Abdul Latif Kevin Ayodele tragically lost their lives in a road accident in Nigeria last Monday. Anthony Joshua was also involved in the accident but escaped with minor injuries. At the London Central Mosque, several people were gathered for the Janaza (funeral) prayer, with a funeral for Ghami expected to take place at Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium from noon. A wake for the pair is also scheduled to take place from around 3pm at Cavendish…

The African Union (AU) has expressed concern over the US invasion in Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. It describes the situation as troubling, emphasizing that Venezuela’s complex internal challenges can only be resolved sustainably through political dialogue. The AU made the position in a statement, as reactions continue to pour in after the US military operation. It expressed solidarity with Venezuela, calling for peace, stability and respect among nations. Countries in Africa like South Africa have described the US action as a violation of the UN Charter, restricting use of force against the territorial integrity of…

The National Assembly has released the Certified True Copies, CTCs, of four landmark tax reform Acts recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, making them available for public record, verification, and reference. House of Representatives Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the release was directed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen. He explained that the documents include the endorsement and assent pages personally signed by the President. According to Rotimi, the decision followed public concerns and allegations about possible alterations to the laws, as well as the circulation of unauthorised and…

Resident doctors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have announced plans to resume a total and indefinite nationwide strike beginning Monday, January 12, 2026. This decision follows the expiration of several ultimatums and what the association describes as the Federal Government’s total failure to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in late 2025. Announcement of the planned industrial action was made in a statement issued on Saturday by NARD President, Dr. Mohammed Suleiman, after an Extraordinary National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on January 2. Tagged “TICS 2.0” — Total, Indefinite, and Complete Strike…

President Donald Trump said the U.S. “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela” and said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were “captured and flown out of the Country.” The announcement on Trump’s social media platform came shortly before 4:30 a.m. Saturday a few hours after several explosions were heard in Venezuela’s capital city of Caracas, witnesses said, and photos and videos showed plumes of smoke and a large fireball in the night sky Trump said the operation was carried out in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement and said he would hold a news conference at 11…

Several explosions rocked Caracas early Saturday, with a CNN team reporting that parts of the Venezuelan capital have been cut off from the electricity grid. The first blast was recorded at about 1.50am local time, according to the network. “One was so strong, my window was shaking after it,” Osmary Hernandez, a CNN correspondent, said. Several neighbourhoods lost power and aircraft could be heard flying after the explosions. The cause of the explosions was not immediately clear. A video obtained and verified by CNN showed two plumes of smoke billowing into the night sky amid flickering city lights, with an…

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on staff of the commission to work collectively to build an institution “trusted by all and sundry” and ensure that every eligible voter is empowered and every vote truly counts. In his New Year message for 2026 titled: ‘A Season of Renewal’, Amupitan expressed optimism that credible electoral processes can be achieved through unity, discipline and collective effort, as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum. Addressing national commissioners, resident electoral commissioners, directors and staff nationwide, Amupitan said the New Year represents a moment of…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn in five newly appointed Special Advisers. He also reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to move forward with determination and recover lost ground. Fubara, at the swearing-in ceremony at the Government House, noted that his government had the resilience required to deliver on its mandate. He explained that the appointments were made to strengthen governance and ensure the smooth running of his administration. He also noted that the appointees were not new to government, stressing that their prior experience meant they clearly understood the philosophy and objectives of his administration. According to him, their familiarity…

The Chinese government has reportedly introduced a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while exempting childcare services, in a bid to address its declining birth rates. According to BBC News, Official figures show China’s population has shrunk for the third year in a row, with just 9.54 million babies born in 2024, roughly half the number recorded a decade ago. From January 1, contraceptives that were exempt from value-added tax (VAT) for over three decades are now subject to a 13% levy. The exemption dated back to 1994, when China was firmly enforcing its one-child policy. The revised…