Abia ThinkTank - Abia ThinkTank News

Jan

2025

A New Term, A New Trade Agenda: President Trump’s Second Term – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Foreign Affairs

A New Term, A New Trade Agenda: President Trump's Second Term Donald Trump's presidency was marked by a significant shift in US trade policy, characterized by the imposition of tariffs on goods from various regions, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Trump's "America First" approach aimed to protect US industries and reduce the country's trade deficit. However, the tariffs had far-reaching consequences, sparking trade wars, diverting global supply chains, and impacting economies worldwide. The effects of Trump's tariffs were felt across the globe, with each region experiencing unique challenges and opportunities. In North and South America, the…

Jan

2025

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A Message From Grateful Nation To OGBAKO IKWERE, Etc

Columns/Opinions/Letters, South East

A MESSAGE FROM GRATEFUL NATION TO ÓGBAKÓ IKWERE , etc. The Ikwere Igbo Nation is at a crossroads, with Senator Mbata and Wike representing two differing ideologies that threaten to divide the community. It's essential to recognize that both the conservative elites, led by Senator Mbata, and the radical extremist groups, associated with Wike, have their own identities and values that they fiercely guard. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that these differences don't have to lead to division and antagonism. Instead, I urge both groups to strive for coexistence and mutual respect. This means recognizing the validity of each other's…

Jan

2025

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Ekweremadu’s Wife Returns To Nigeria After Release From UK Prison

News Flash, Security

Ekweremadu’s Wife Returns To Nigeria After Release From UK Prison Beatrice Ekweremadu, the wife of Ike Ekweremadu former deputy senate president, has been released from prison in the United Kingdom and is now back in Nigeria, reports are saying. According to reports, the lawmaker’s wife returned on Tuesday to celebration and prayers for her husband’s safe return. Beatrice and her husband were convicted for charges bothering on organ harvesting and trafficking in May 2023. The couple had attempted to buy a kidney off a young Nigerian boy to make him a donor to their daughter Sophia. Beatrice, Ike, and one…

Jan

2025

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World University Rankings 2025: Covenant, ABU Emerge Top In Nigeria (See Full List)

Education, FGN, News Flash

World University Rankings 2025: Covenant, ABU Emerge Top In Nigeria (Full List) Covenant University (CU) has again been listed as Nigeria’s overall best university in Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Rankings. In the 2025 rankings, the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria came second, displacing the University of Ibadan which occupied the position for the 2024 rankings. The Times Higher Education World Rankings is a comprehensive global ranking of universities published annually. The 2025 rankings THE said it ranked more than 2,000 institutions from 115 countries and territories. Globally, Oxford holds on to the top spot for the ninth consecutive year, bolstered…

Jan

2025

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The Fragility Of Economic Recovery In ABIA State: The Need For Stakeholders’ Involvement Across Party Lines – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

The Fragility of Economic Recovery in Abia State: The Need for Stakeholders' Involvement Across Party Lines Abia State, one of the 36 states in Nigeria, has been grappling with economic challenges for decades. Despite being one of the most industrious states in the country, Abia's economy has struggled to gain momentum. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Abia State's GDP growth rate has been sluggish, averaging 2.5% between 2015 and 2020, compared to the national average of 3.5%. The state's economic woes are further exacerbated by its high poverty rate. According to the NBS's 2020 Poverty and Inequality…

Jan

2025

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4 Nigerian Billionaires’ Wealth Hits $23.7 Billion, As Over 133 Million People Face Hunger

Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, News Flash

4 Nigerian Billionaires’ Wealth Hits $23.7 Billion, As Over 133 Million People Face Hunger A report published by Oxfam ‘Takers Not Makers’, yesterday, revealed that four Nigerian billionaires’ wealth hit $23.7 billion, as over 133 million people face hunger. The report also indicated that the wealth of these four billionaires could easily cover the whole of Lagos city in N500 notes. According to the report, Nigeria’s wealth gap has reached crisis levels, with the richest individuals accumulating unprecedented wealth while the poor struggle to survive. “In 2024, billionaire wealth surged, and this trend is expected to continue, with at least…

Jan

2025

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Abia’s Quest For Sanity: Ending Street Trading Menace – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Environment, Good Governance

Abia's Quest for Sanity: Ending Street Trading Menace Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D Street trading has been a longstanding issue in Abia State, particularly in Aba and Umuahia. This menace poses significant dangers and hazards to both traders and the general public. The presence of traders on the streets can lead to traffic congestion, accidents, and even loss of lives. Moreover, street trading contributes to environmental degradation, as traders often dispose of waste improperly, leading to clogged drains and dirty streets. In addition to the inherent dangers, street trading also has destructive effects on the roads. The presence of traders on the…

Jan

2025

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Better Abia Movement Group Holds General Meeting, Aims At Expanding Membership, Passes Vote Of Confidence On Gov. Otti

Abia State, News Flash, Politics

BREAKING: Better Abia Movement Group holds General meeting aims to expanding Membership, passes Vote of Confidence on Gov Otti Umuahia the capital city witnessed a convergence of the group members of Better Abia Movement where they held their general meeting and New year gathering to familiarize with the new members across Abia. The meeting held at New Eastern Comfort Hotel Umuahia witnessed the presence of many Abia voters and business owners including personalities like the MD CEO Mela Concepts Aba, State Youth Leader OHANAEZE NDI IGBO Abia State chapter, medical, Legal and notable Public administrators & professionals who graced the…

Jan

2025

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We Must Sustain The Development Momentum Of Dr. Alex Otti OFR – Engr. Odum Charges Town Planners

Abia State, Abia North, Ohafia LGA

WE MUST SUSTAIN THE DEVELOPMENT MOMENTUM OF DR. ALEX OTTI — ENGR. ODUM CHARGES TOWN PLANNERS The Director General of Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA), Engr. Obinna Odum, has, in line with the directives of the Executive Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, mandated all developers operating within Abia North to obtain their Abia State Social Identification Number (ABSSIN). He gave this mandate earlier today during a top management meeting of the Greater Ohafia Development Authority, comprising the five local governments of Abia North: Arochukwu, Ohafia, Bende, Umunneochi, and Isuikwuato. This measure, according to Engr. Odum, is a part of the…

Jan

2025

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Nigeria’s AI Market: Projected To Reach $644.4 Million By 2025 – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, Information Technology

Nigeria's AI Market: Projected to Reach $644.4 Million by 2025 We have reliably learnt that Governor Otti has set up a private think tank to study the global mainstreaming of AI infrastructure which is becoming a pressing priority for nations worldwide. This is so because the concept of "sovereign AI" has emerged, emphasizing the importance of countries developing their own AI capabilities, using their own data, workforce, and business networks.¹ This shift is driven by the growing recognition of AI's transformative potential and the need for countries to maintain control over their sensitive data and AI systems. He believes that…