Abia ThinkTank - Abia ThinkTank News

Feb

2026

Valentine’s Day: CBN Lists Money Bouquets As Offence

CBN/Commercial Banking, Economy, News Flash

Valentine’s Day: CBN Lists Money Bouquets As Offence As Valentine’s Day draws near, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) 2023 warning against money bouquets is making the rounds again. The apex bank had classified money bouquets, a popular gift among lovers, as a form of naira abuse. In a flier shared on its official Twitter handle in 2023, the CBN listed money bouquets alongside other prohibited practices, including spraying, selling, squeezing, and defacing naira notes. Citizens were urged to report incidents of naira abuse, with the CBN emphasising: “It is your civic duty to protect the naira. Report naira abuse…

Feb

2026

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By Abia ThinkTank

From Tax Reform To Power Stability: Why Otti’s Fiscal And Energy Agenda Signals A Structural Shift In Abia’s Governance Model – By Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

From Tax Reform to Power Stability: Why Otti’s Fiscal and Energy Agenda Signals a Structural Shift in Abia’s Governance Model By Prof. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke In public sector reform history, the most consequential transformations rarely begin with ribbon cuttings. They begin with systems — how revenue is raised, how power is supplied, and how predictability is restored to economic life. That is the deeper significance of Governor Alex Otti’s visible alignment with national tax reforms and his administration’s push toward energy independence for Abia State. Taken together, these are not isolated policy positions. They represent a structural governance direction: stabilize…

Feb

2026

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Leadership News Legislator Of The Year 2025: Ikenna Ukwa Felicitates Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu

National Assembly, Personality

LEADERSHIP NEWS LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR 2025: IKENNA UKWA FELICITATES DEPUTY SPEAKER, BENJAMIN KALU The Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President of Nigeria, Hon Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa has joined Abians and Nigerians all over the world to celebrate an astute federal legislator, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member Representing Bende Federal Constituency, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu on his meritorious recognition and award as the LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR 2025, by the Leadership Newspaper. Chief Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa , in his congratulatory message described the award as befitting, considering Hon Benjamin Kalu's principled leadership, legislative depth…

Feb

2026

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Argument, Not Abuse: A Philosopher’s Advice To Modern Content Warriors- By Prof Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

ARGUMENT, NOT ABUSE: A PHILOSOPHER’S ADVICE TO MODERN CONTENT WARRIORS Public debate did not begin with social media. It began in the ancient marketplaces of Athens, where Socrates taught that truth is tested by questioning — not by shouting. He warned that when emotion replaces evidence, a society stops thinking and starts reacting. History is consistent on this point. From Socrates to Aristotle, from Cicero to Thomas Aquinas, from John Stuart Mill to Karl Popper, the same standard appears again and again: claims must be answered with counter-claims and counter-evidence — not insults. When a critic raises numbers, the civilised…

Feb

2026

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I’ll Work Against Obi In 2027 – Cubana Chief Priest

Politics

I’ll Work Against Obi In 2027 – Cubana Chief Priest Socialite Cubana Chief Priest has declared his intention to work against Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election. He made this known during an Instagram exchange with followers, confirming his stance after being asked directly. A user asked him directly, “So in simple terms, You are working against Obi in the upcoming presidential election. lol.” Chief Priest, who served as a special adviser to an APC governor, cited his past involvement with Obi’s campaign as a reason for his current opposition. Responding, Cubana Chief Priest confirmed his stance, writing, “yes…

Feb

2026

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‘What Transpired When Atiku, Makinde Met IBB In Minna’ – Fayose Opens Can Of Worms

News Flash, Politics

‘What Transpired When Atiku, Makinde Met IBB In Minna’ – Fayose Opens Can Of Worms A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged details of a high-level political meeting between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, claiming discussions centred on a potential presidential ticket under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement shared via his verified X handle on Wednesday, Fayose said the Minna meeting was strategically arranged, with the “venue and personalities involved carefully chosen so as to ensure confidence and acceptability.” He claimed that political calculations around zoning and regional…

Feb

2026

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Nigeria Now Largest Crude Oil Producer In Africa – OPEC

Economy, FGN, News Flash

Nigeria Now Largest Crude Oil Producer In Africa – OPEC Nigeria retained its position as the largest crude oil producer in Africa after an increase in the country’s January output, according to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) data. In its latest monthly report on Wednesday, the oil cartel said Nigeria’s oil output increased to 1.45 million barrels per day (bpd) in March — from 1.42 million bpd in December According to the international organisation, the latest figure represents a 2.11 percent drop from the previous month’s output. The oil alliance said its figures were derived from direct…

Feb

2026

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CBN Approves BDCs’ Return To Forex Market, Allows Purchase Of Up To $150,000 Weekly

CBN/Commercial Banking, Economy, FGN

CBN Approves BDCs’ Return To Forex Market, Allows Purchase Of Up To $150,000 Weekly The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has authorised licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operators to resume participation in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), in a move aimed at improving liquidity and enhancing access to foreign exchange in the retail segment. The approval was contained in a circular signed by the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, Dr Musa Nakorji. The circular stated that each licensed BDC is permitted to purchase up to $150,000 weekly, subject to compliance with existing operational guidelines. Under the new…

Feb

2026

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I Will Soon Be Arrested By FGN – El-Rufai Reveals, Give Reason

FGN, News Flash, Politics

I Will Soon Be Arrested By FG – El-Rufai Reveals, Give Reason Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, says he expects to be arrested “any moment now” by federal authorities. Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, el-Rufai said four individuals who worked closely with him during his tenure as governor have already been arrested, adding that he believes he may be involved. He alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is aggressively pressuring politicians—either to defect to the party or to remain inside it—as the battle for 2027 begins to take shape. “Four people who worked with…

Feb

2026

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NNPP Rejects US Bill Seeking Sanctions On Kwankwaso Over Alleged Religious Violations

News Flash, Politics, Religion, Security

NNPP Rejects US Bill Seeking Sanctions On Kwankwaso Over Alleged Religious Violations The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has condemned a bill before the United States congress seeking to impose sanctions on Rabiu Kwankwaso, its national leader, for alleged “severe religious freedom violations”. On Tuesday, five US lawmakers introduced a bill in the country’s house of representatives to compel the secretary of state to submit a “comprehensive report on US efforts to address the ongoing religious persecution and mass atrocities in Nigeria. If the proposed legislation becomes law, the Departments of State and Treasury are expected to impose sanctions, including…