Author: Vardiafrica

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday declared three senatorial seats vacant following the deaths of members of the 10th Senate. The vacancies affect Enugu North Senatorial District, Nasarawa North Senatorial District, and Rivers South-East Senatorial District. Akpabio made the announcement during plenary, noting that the development was necessitated by the demise of the affected lawmakers in line with constitutional provisions. “Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that we fill the vacancies created by the demise of our colleagues,”…

The Institute of Public Sector Management presented the International Public Service Excellence Award at the Parliament House in Westminster, London, to top NDDC officials, led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku. Other awardees from the Commission were the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; and the Director, Finance and Accounts, Mrs Kunemofa Asu. While the NDDC Managing Director, represented by his Chief of Staff, Rev. Obegha Oworibo, was honoured for his “strategic and transformational leadership,” the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, represented by the NDDC Director of Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, was recognised for…

The Senate on Tuesday approved the 2026 Appropriation Bill, increasing the proposed budget to N68.323 trillion, an addition of over N9 trillion to the initial figure submitted by President Bola Tinubu. The upward revision is aimed at addressing legacy obligations, funding critical infrastructure, strengthening the judiciary, boosting healthcare interventions and supporting preparations for the 2027 general elections. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, while presenting the report, said the adjustment was necessary to regularise outstanding commitments from previous fiscal years, align the budget with current economic realities and maintain macroeconomic stability. President Tinubu had initially presented…

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning, threatening to target major United States technology companies operating in the Middle East, while urging employees and nearby residents to evacuate immediately. In a statement relayed by Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the IRGC said American firms involved in technology and artificial intelligence would be considered legitimate targets “Since the main element in designing and tracking terrorist targets are American and ICT and AI companies … from now on, [these] main institutions will be our legitimate targets,” it said. The group warned that more than 15 companies could be affected, specifically naming…

Christopher Musa, minister of defence, has led a delegation to Borno to commiserate with the state government over the suicide bomb attacks which killed at least 23 persons earlier this month.  The delegation comprised Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, alongside the chiefs of operations of the defence headquarters (DHQ) and other service branch of the armed forces. The team visited to Abubakar el-Kanemi, the Shehu of Borno, and Babagana Zulum, the state governor, who was represented by Umar Kadafur, his deputy. Musa conveyed the heartfelt condolences of President Bola Tinubu and noted the assurances of the federal government in addressing…

The Senate mandates a full-scale investigation into the March 2026 attacks in Jos North and Kanam LGAs. The Senate has officially directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the recent surge of violence in Plateau State. The directive follows a tragic attack in the Anguwan Rukuba area of Jos North, which resulted in the deaths of at least 28 civilians. In a decisive move to address the escalating insecurity, the Senate resolved to dispatch a high-powered delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to visit the affected communities and commiserate with the…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, alongside one Joel Adoga, before Honourable Justice A.I. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Kaduna Division, over alleged corruption-related offences. The defendants were docked on a 10-count charge bordering on abuse of office, money laundering, and fraud. According to the charge sheet marked FHC/KD/73/2026, the former governor is accused of unlawfully receiving multiple sums of money in naira and foreign currencies while serving as a public officer. Specifically, the Commission alleged that El-Rufai, in September 2020 and January 2023, received…

President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly requesting adjustments to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, proposing an increase of ₦9 trillion to raise the total budget from ₦58.4 trillion to ₦67.4 trillion. The request was conveyed in a letter read on the Senate floor by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during plenary on Tuesday. According to the president, the proposed adjustment is aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency and ensuring the effective implementation of priority national programmes. He outlined three key objectives behind the request, including to regularize and account for outstanding legal commitments carried over from previous…

Prominent Christian leaders in the country have called on the Federal Government to address the worsening security and economic challenges. They have called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on economy and security, revamp policing systems, and guarantee transparent elections. The church leaders, such as former President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Dr Felix Omobude, the Founder of the Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM Bishop Mike Okonkwo, former President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and Prophet Isa El-Buba, addressed the nation’s issues during a news briefing organised by Cross Campaign in Ikeja, Lagos. They…

In the wake of recent attacks and violence, the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Pretoria has issued a safety advisory to Nigerians in South Africa. “In view of the recent developments in Eastern Cape Province and the current palpable tension in the country, the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Pretoria, would like to issue the following advisory and enjoin all Nigerian Nationals living and working in the Republic of South Africa to observe the following safety protocols from now onwards: Be conscious and mindful of personal and individual safety,” the advisory read. Moderate movement…