Author: Vardiafrica

The Edo State Government has given former deputy governor Godwin Omobayo a one-week ultimatum to return all government property and assets still in his possession. Omobayo was sworn in on April 8, 2024, by Chief Judge Daniel Okungbowa after being nominated by former Governor Godwin Obaseki, following a fallout with then–deputy governor Phillip Shaibu. However, Shaibu was later reinstated by the state House of Assembly, rendering Omobayo’s brief tenure illegitimate. In a statement on Tuesday, October 28, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said all official items used or acquired by Omobayo during his short period in office…

Nobel laureate and playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, has revealed that the United States government has permanently revoked his visa. Speaking at a media parley held on Tuesday at Freedom Park, Lagos, Soyinka said he received an official letter from the U.S. Consulate dated October 23, 2025, informing him that his B1/B2 visa had been withdrawn under U.S. Department of State regulations. The letter, he explained, stated that the visa was revoked because “additional information became available” after it was issued. Soyinka, however, said he was unaware of any wrongdoing or reason that could have led to the decision. “I am…

Madagascar’s military-led government on Tuesday appointed a cabinet made up mostly of civilian ministers, and includes several prominent critics of ousted president Andry Rajoelina. New military ruler, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, was sworn in as president on Friday, after taking control of the country earlier this month following weeks of youth-led protests that forced out his predecessor . Randrianirina has said that a committee led by the military will rule for up to two years alongside a transitional government until new elections can be organised. Only 4 of the 29 cabinet members are military or paramilitary officers. They were appointed to…

A house of representatives committee says terrorists have threatened to bomb the national assembly. Garba Muhammad, chairman of the committee on internal security of the national assembly, spoke during a public hearing on Tuesday. The hearing was organised to consider a bill seeking to establish the legislative security directorate in the national assembly, which will outline the qualifications and conditions of service for the sergeant-at-arms and other personnel. “Security is very crucial to all arms of government, especially to the legislative arm because it is an institution where legislators, staff, executive, judiciary, individuals, organisations, protesters, demonstrators, and many more troop…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu for his role in the emergence of Nigeria’s candidate, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, as the new Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). The national oil company described it as a historic moment for Nigeria and a testimony to the federal government’s gas agenda aimed at utilising natural gas as a major fuel for industrial growth and economic development. Mshelbila, who was elected at the Forum’s 27th Ministerial Meeting held in Doha, Qatar, succeeds Algeria’s Mohamed Hamel as the 5th scribe of…

The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, has received the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs on their maiden courtesy visit to his office at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Abuja. The delegation led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, includes the Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke. A statement by the Minister’s office says, “The visit underscores the Minister’s commitment to building a cohesive defence leadership anchored on trust,…

THE House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the alleged mismanagement of financial grants totaling $25 million allegedly received by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) between 2015 and 2025. Lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent public importance on Tuesday, sponsored by Adedayo Adesola (Lagos) and Felix Nwaeke (Rivers), demanding a full probe into the NFF’s handling of international football grants. The motion, titled “Misuse of FIFA and CAF Grants by the Nigerian Football Federation,” expressed concern that years of alleged financial irregularities within the NFF contributed to the decline in the performance of…

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has warned that any form of violence during the upcoming Anambra State governorship election will attract a firm and decisive response from security agencies. Ribadu issued the warning on Tuesday, October 28, in Abuja during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He was represented by Hassan Yahaya Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the Office of the NSA. He assured that the Federal Government has put in place comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, free, and credible election…

Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, says President Bola Tinubu’s policies have set Nigeria “firmly on the right path,” citing the drop in the price of rice from N120,000 to about N80,000 Mr Edun said in an article titled “Nigeria turning towards prosperity”, that the country has turned towards prosperity and “the most difficult phase of our economic journey is behind.” The coordinating minister of the economy said, “Food inflation has been our heaviest burden since it surged after currency depreciation and the removal of fuel subsidies. However, targeted measures are beginning to ease…

President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate requesting the confirmation of the newly appointed service chiefs. The letter was addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Tuesday’s plenary session in Abuja. It includes the confirmation of Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye. In the letter, President Tinubu appealed to the Senate to expedite action on the confirmation of the appointments. The request…