Author: Vardiafrica

The political crisis rocking Rivers State took another dramatic turn on Friday as the Oyigbo High Court sitting in Port Harcourt adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, challenging the impeachment moves initiated against them by the State House of Assembly. The court, presided over by Justice Florence Fiberesima, adjourned the matter sine die after confirming that two separate appeals had already been entered in relation to the case. According to the judge, the adjournment was necessary to allow the Court of Appeal to first determine the pending appeals before the lower court could take any…

US President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation for Canada to join his newly constituted Board of Peace, in the latest spat between the North American neighbours. “Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining,” Trump said on Truth Social in a post addressed to Prime Minister Mark Carney, who made headlines this week when he warned of a “rupture” in the US-led global order. Canada had indicated that while it would not pay to be on the board, it would join. Meanwhile, EU chief Antonio Costa…

The national grid, on Friday, collapsed for the first time this year. According to data obtained from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO), the power generation dropped to zero megawatt (MW). The NISO data showed that load allocation to the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) dropped to zero MW as at 1 pm on Friday. The distribution companies, including Benin, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, and Yola, recorded zero allocation. In 2025, the nation’s power grid collapsed multiple times, with the last incident recorded on December 29. The repeated system failures have occurred despite upgrades designed to…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted formal approval for the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island and the immediate take off of the Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun State. Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the executive approval on Thursday, 22 January 2026, marking a significant milestone in the state’s long-standing pursuit of oil-producing status and maritime expansion. The Governor disclosed this development while receiving the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, at the State House in Abeokuta. The projects, now integrated into a broader strategic framework known as the Blue Marine Economic Zone,…

The Presidency has reversed its earlier decision and has withdrawn the appointment of former Kebbi State Governor, Usman Saidu Dakingari, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey, less than 24 hours after the announcement was made.A statement issued on Thursday night by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassadors-designate from the more than 60 nominees confirmed in December. They included former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Kayode Are, who was named ambassador-designate to the United States. Former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ayodele Oke, was posted to France,…

The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially taken effect today. This comes one year after US President Donald Trump ordered the country’s withdrawal from the WHO just hours after taking office. Under the agreement between the US and the organisation, the withdrawal takes effect after a mandatory one-year notice period, which ends today. One of the conditions for withdrawal in the agreement, which is for the US to pay its agreed financial contributions in full, has not been met. However, the WHO has no mechanism to compel payment or block the withdrawal. Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the posting of four ambassador-designates, out of the 68 confirmed by the Senate last December. This was confirmed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday. According to the statement, Tinubu confirmed the postings of Ambassador Ayodele Oke as the ambassador-designate to France, and Colonel Lateef Are as the ambassador-designate to the United States of America. Also confirmed by the President is the posting of Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, former ambassador to South Korea, as the high commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom. Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman, former…

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and restoring security across the country, following a plenary session of the Nigeria – United States Joint Working Group to address the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation of Nigeria, held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on Thursday, in Abuja. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while briefing the press, said the engagement was part of sustained efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security partnerships and deliver tangible results for citizens. “This is the third high-level engagement with senior United States officials since November 2025.…

Oil giant Shell Companies in Nigeria on Thursday announced plans to invest US$20 billion in the Bonga South West oil project. NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer Bashir Bayo Ojulari disclosed this while speaking with State House correspondents after President Bola Tinubu received in audience Shell Companies CEO Wael Sawan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The NNPCL boss said the US$20 billion investment would have a ripple effect on the economy, creating jobs and resuscitating moribund fabrication yards. Chief Ojulari said the economic climate established by President Tinubu’s administration had restored investor confidence. He added: “I think what this has shown…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed speculations about a possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying he remains comfortable in the party despite recent political realignments. Makinde made this known after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, where he was asked about reports that some PDP governors and leaders had defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC. Responding to the question on whether he was considering a move to the APC, the governor said he had no such plans, stressing that his loyalty to the PDP remains intact. “I’m comfortable in the PDP,” Makinde said. “Again, we…