Author: Vardiafrica

The 183 worshippers abducted from the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State have regained their freedom, eighteen days after they were kidnapped by bandits during a church service on January 18. The victims were received by Governor Uba Sani on Thursday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna. Receiving the worshippers alongside heads of security agencies, top Kaduna State Government officials and community leaders, the governor described the occasion as “a day of joy for the state”. He said the safe return of all the abducted worshippers vindicated the quiet but relentless efforts of…

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Bayo Ojulari, has stated that the company is currently in talks with partners with a proven track record of refining and petrochemical operations in order to build sustainable, self-financing, and profitable solutions for its refineries. Ojulari disclosed this while fielding questions during a fireside chat themed “Securing Nigeria’s Energy Future at NIES 2026” at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 on Wednesday in Abuja. The GCEO observed that historically, the focus on refineries has largely been on financing and EPC delivery, noting that the…

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, was in the international spotlight on Thursday, as US President, Donald Trump, publicly acknowledged her faith leadership during the annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. The prestigious event, attended by members of the US Congress, global religious leaders, and international dignitaries, featured Trump recognising Mrs Tinubu in the audience as he addressed attendees on faith and global religious freedom. “We’re honoured to be joined today by the First Lady of Nigeria, who also happens to serve as a Christian pastor at the largest church in Nigeria. A very respected woman. First Lady, please,…

In compliance with a recent judgement of the Federal High Court, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recognised the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Abdulrahman Mohammed. Mohammed’s National Caretaker Committee is backed by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Recall that the faction led by Barr. Tanimu Turaki was recently sacked by the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State. INEC’s compliance with the court order became a public knowledge following the decision of the electoral body to extend invitation to the Wike’s faction to attend the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the registration of two new political parties, bringing the number of registered parties in the country to 21 ahead of the 2027 general election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday during the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with political parties for 2026, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The newly registered parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Amupitan said the decision followed a rigorous assessment process in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Regulations…

Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has been pictured back in training with his Saudi Pro League side, Al-Nassr, despite being on strike. The 41-year-old Portuguese star had refused to play,with his participation in the upcoming match against Al-Ittihad still not certain. Ronaldo, who earns an astronomical £488,000-a-day, is understood to be unhappy with the recruitment at his club and thinks the Saudi backers are giving their rivals preferential treatment. But the Portuguese forward was seen working out on the pitch in a training session under the watchful eye of manager Jorge Jesus, in a hint that he could return to the…

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has clarified that the Senate did not reject the electronic transmission of election results during consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. Akpabio made the statement shortly after the Senate passed the bill following a marathon session that lasted about four and a half hours. Consideration of the contentious amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the bill began at around 2:00 p.m. and continued until 6:26 p.m., fueling online speculation that lawmakers had voted against mandatory electronic transmission of results. Earlier reports suggested that the red chamber had shot down a proposal that would have…

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has marked a major operational milestone with the commissioning of the reactivated Super Puma helicopter (NAF 565) at 205 Rotary Wing, Ikeja, Lagos on 4 February 2026.  Described by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, as a “workhorse whose role is second to none in the Nigerian Air Force,” the aircraft is expected to significantly boost troop transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, and logistics support across multiple theatres. Speaking at the ceremony, the CAS said, “This occasion is not merely about the return of an aircraft to our…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of an army battalion in Kaiama LGA of Kwara state following the deadly attack by suspected terrorists on the Nuku and Woro communities on Tuesday. Rauf Ajakaye, the chief press secretary to AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara State, told TheCable that 75 residents were killed by the suspected terrorists during the attack. In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, quoted Tinubu as saying the new military command will spearhead “Operation Savannah Shield” to “checkmate the barbaric terrorists and protect defenceless communities”. Onanuga noted that the president “condemned the cowardly and beastly attack” and…