Author: Vardiafrica

President Joe Biden, in his first TV interview since dropping out of the White House race, warned that Republican candidate Donald Trump was “a genuine danger to American security.” “Mark my words, if he wins… this election, watch what happens,” Biden told CBS News in a pre-taped interview broadcast on Sunday. “He’s a genuine danger to American security. Look, we’re at an inflection point in world history… and democracy is the key.” Biden, 81, has kept a low profile since withdrawing after his flailing debate performance against Trump underlined fears about his age and mental abilities. In the short TV…

Poland says seven of its nationals did not fly Russian flags in Kano, a city in North-West Nigeria. Andrzej Szejna, Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, told private radio station RMF FM that the six students and the teacher “were in the wrong place at the wrong time”. The seven Polish nationals were accused of playing a “suspicious role” in protests against government policies and economic hardship, the Department of State Services said upon their arrest on Thursday. The Polish foreign ministry, however, said they were students and a teacher. Africa’s most populous country is struggling with its worst cost-of-living…

The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has apologised to Nigerians for Team Nigeria’s dismal performance during the 2024 Paris Olympics when the country did not secure any medals. Daily Sun reports that Nigeria has officially concluded its participation in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, without winning a single medal. Hannah Reuben was Nigeria’s final hope for a medal on Saturday, but she was defeated 5-2 (by points) in the second round of the women’s freestyle wrestling 76kg by Mongolia’s Davaanasan Amar Enkh. In a statement he signed on Saturday, Enoh said: “The Olympic Games, Paris 2024, have ended,…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu, to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and appropriate anti-corruption agencies, to promptly and thoroughly investigate the spending of $1.5bn World Bank loan obtained by the 36 states and Abuja for poverty reduction and social protection across the states. SERAP said, “Suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered.” SERAP also urged him to direct Fagbemi and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly investigate…

The state claims they mismanaged the statutory allocations remitted to the State Joint Local Governments account from the Federation account. The allegations further state that they criminally diverted ₦57.4 billion through several personal accounts of Local Government cashiers and other personal and corporate accounts. “The state government also accused them of transferring the funds into dollars for their personal benefits,” the charge sheet reveals. “They acquired a service apartment on the Murtala Muhammad Way, a commercial apartment at Akoya Oxygen – x20868 Dubai in Tigerwood, and plot 2201 Floor 22 Damac Height, Marsa Dubai Marina, a multi-billion naira hotel in…

The Chiefs of Defence Staff of the Economic Community of West Africa States on Friday called for the return of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to the regional bloc. Speaking in Abuja while on a visit to the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff and Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said their return is necessary to defeat the increasing insecurity ravaging the region, especially insurgency. General Musa disclosed that efforts are ongoing on the part of the Ecowas Chiefs of Defence Staff to ensure the three countries are…

Nigeria has been disqualified for 4x400m men’s relay team for the final at the Paris Olympic Games. The quartet of Emmanuel Ojeli, Ezekiel Nathaniel, Dubem Amene and Chidi Okezie finished heat 2 with a Season’s Best time of 2 minutes 59.81 seconds France won the race in 2 minutes 59.53 seconds with Belgium taking the 3rd automatic spot in 2 minutes 59.84 seconds. It was, however, adjudged that one of the Nigerian runners crossed lanes and that led to the tripping of a South African runner. The spot won by Nigeria has been given to South Africa. The Nigeria athletes…

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify efforts to crack down on illegal miners in the country. He gave the order while receiving a presentation titled, ‘Harnessing the Mining Industry for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2035,’ by Course 32 participants of the National Defence College (NDC) on Thursday in Abuja. He also said his administration will ensure that companies engaged in mineral exploration prioritise the health and safety of Nigerians and the host communities. The course 32 participants were tasked by Tinubu, to use their findings during their 11-month study focused on…

The Federal Government has taken delivery of 60 locally assembled Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) hybrid buses. Revealed in a post through its official X handle on Thursday, the buses were delivered by Jet Motor Company under the Presidential CNG Initiative. According to the statement, the development is in continuation of efforts to provide affordable and comfortable transport solutions for Nigerians. The vehicles were handed over to a team comprising the Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Presidential Initiative on CNG (Pi-CNG) at the company’s car manufacturing plant in Ajah, Lagos State. President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast during the #EndBadGovernance…

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has denied taking part in the ₦570bn hardship grant claimed to have been given to the state governments by the Federal Government. President Bola Tinubu while addressing Nigerians in a broadcast during the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests against hunger and hardship, said the government has disbursed ₦570bn to the 36 states. Tunubu also said that Nigeria spends ₦2tn monthly to import Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil, otherwise known as diesel. He disclosed that ₦9.1tn was accumulated as total fiscal revenue to the Federal Government’s coffers during the first half…