Blog - Abia ThinkTank News

Feb

2025

Trump Has Agreed To Shut Down USAID – Elon Musk Says

Trump Has Agreed To Shut Down USAID – Elon Musk Says Elon Musk says US President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is the world’s premier international development agency. It is responsible for billions of dollars in US aid projects across the world — with most of these funds funnelled into disaster relief efforts while promoting development and global health. Foreign assistance distributed by the agency makes up less than one percent of the US government budget. The Tesla and X CEO said he checked in with Trump a few…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Ikenna Ukwa Attends Opening Meeting Of Lions Zone Humanitarian Organization

Abia State, Abia North, News Flash, Personality, Philanthropy

IKENNA UKWA ATTENDS OPENING MEETING OF LIONS ZONE HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION The Senior Legislative Aide to The Senate President - Nigeria ,Chief Hon Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa attended the opening meeting of the Lions Zone Humanitarian Organization in Elu Ohafia today, February 3, 2025. The meeting was an opportunity for the group to thank Ukwa for his continuous support and express their gratitude for his inspiring presence. During the meeting, Hon Ikenna Nicolas Ukwa encouraged the group to expand their reach to other villages in Ohafia and pledged his commitment to supporting their programs and activities. He also promised to provide customized…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Fuel Marketers Ordered To Reduce Price As Dangote Crashes Supply Rate To N890 Per Litre

Business, Economy, News Flash, Oil & Gas

Fuel marketers ordered to reduce price as Dangote crashes supply rate to N890 per litre The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria has urged marketers to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit, aka petrol, following the reduction in the ex-depot price of the product from N950 to N890 per litre by the Dangote refinery. Dangote Refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N950 to N890, effective from Saturday. Mr Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, said this in a statement on Saturday…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

‘How Security Operatives Rescued 23 Kidnap Victims From Gunmen In Kaduna’

Armed Forces, Crime, Mishap, News Flash

‘How Security Operatives Rescued 23 Kidnap Victims From Gunmen In Kaduna’ Police acting in concert with military operatives have rescued 23 kidnapped victims from a gang of gunmen in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. Kaduna Police Command spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement on Sunday said security operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kajuru Division and military personnel rescued the kidnapped Villages on Feb. 2. He said the security operatives acted on credible intelligence regarding the movement of bandits in Kajuru area and rescued the victims. Hassan said that the joint operatives advanced…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

APPLY NOW: Ministry Of Arts Seeks 20 Creatives For Residency Programme

Arts, Arts And Culture, Entertainment, FGN

APPLY NOW: Ministry Of Art Seeks 20 Creatives For Residency Programme. The federal ministry of art, culture, tourism, and creative economy is seeking applications for a six-week residency programme that aims to address societal challenges and inspire cultural pride through artistic expression. The programme is in collaboration with MADhouse by Tikera Africa and has ‘Re-imagining hope residency’ as its theme. A statement issued on Sunday by Nneka Anibeze, a special adviser to Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, tourism, and creative economy, said the programme will bring together 20 exceptional creatives from across Nigeria. The residency, which will feature two…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Grammy 2025: Tems Beats Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy To Win ‘Best African Music Performance’

Entertainment, Gossips, International

Grammy 2025: Tems Beats Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy To Win ‘Best African Music Performance’ At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards 2025, Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, secured her second Grammy, winning Best African Music Performance for her song Love Me JeJe. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Tems expressed gratitude for her journey and the people who have supported her. “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team. Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first Grammys. I just want to thank you, mum, because she’s really done…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Telcos Will Commence Full Introduction Of New Tariffs Soon – ALTON

News Flash, Telecommunications

Telcos Will Commence Full Introduction Of New Tariffs Soon – ALTON The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) says telecommunications companies (telcos) will commence the full introduction of new tariffs in March. On January 20, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) granted approval for telecommunications companies (telcos) to implement a 50 percent tariff hike. Three days later, Wale Edun, minister of finance, said the tariff in the telecommunications sector would undergo periodic reviews. Speaking to journalists at a forum with telecoms executives, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, said the telcos will issue their tariffs differently and are currently filing,…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Brace Up For Fresh Electricity Tariff Hike – FG Tells Nigerians

FGN, Power & Energy

Brace Up For Fresh Electricity Tariff Hike – FG Tells Nigerians The Federal Government says plans are ongoing to increase electricity tariffs “over the next few months”. It, however, said that the planned increase needed to be balanced by subsidies for less-affluent electricity users. Bloomberg quoted the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen, as giving this hint at the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where Nigeria presented a $32 billion plan to expand electricity connections by 2030. According to the presidential aide, Nigeria is trying to resolve the transition to…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Press Release: Governor Alex Otti To Flag-Off Construction Of Omenuko Bridge

Abia State, Good Governance, News Flash, Works

PRESS RELEASE: GOVERNOR ALEX OTTI TO FLAG-OFF CONSTRUCTION OF OMENUKO BRIDGE In yet another landmark move to fulfill his promise of infrastructural renewal across Abia State, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, will officially flag-off the construction of the new OMENUKO BRIDGE located in Ozua Abam in Arochukwu Local Government Area, a crucial project that will enhance connectivity, boost economic activities, and improve the safety of lives of users of the bridge. DATE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025TIME: 1:00 PMVENUE: OMENUKO BRIDGE SITE The 45m - long iconic bridge, complemented by 100 metres of approach roads on either side, will serve as a…

Feb

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

“Trade Wars Heat Up: Trump Tariffs Spark Canada’s Retaliation And China’s 75% Counterpunch – Who Will Blink First?” – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Foreign Affairs, International

"Trade Wars Heat Up: Trump Tariffs Spark Canada’s Retaliation and China’s 75% Counterpunch – Who Will Blink First?" Canada’s swift retaliation to the new Trump tariffs, set to take effect this Tuesday, underscores the high stakes of this trade dispute. Historically, Canada has not hesitated to respond to U.S. protectionist measures with counter-tariffs of its own, as seen in 2018 when it imposed tariffs on $16.6 billion worth of U.S. goods in response to steel and aluminum tariffs. This time, Canada’s retaliatory measures are likely to target key U.S. exports, such as agricultural products, machinery, and consumer goods, which could…