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Jan
23
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
The Fragility Of Economic Recovery In ABIA State: The Need For Stakeholders’ Involvement Across Party Lines – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

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…
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Jan
23
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
4 Nigerian Billionaires’ Wealth Hits $23.7 Billion, As Over 133 Million People Face Hunger

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…
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Jan
23
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Abia’s Quest For Sanity: Ending Street Trading Menace – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

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…
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Jan
22
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Better Abia Movement Group Holds General Meeting, Aims At Expanding Membership, Passes Vote Of Confidence On Gov. Otti

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…
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Jan
22
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
We Must Sustain The Development Momentum Of Dr. Alex Otti OFR – Engr. Odum Charges Town Planners

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…
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Jan
22
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Nigeria’s AI Market: Projected To Reach $644.4 Million By 2025 – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

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…
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Jan
22
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Revolutionizing Abia’s Digital Landscap: Governor Otti’s Visionary Leadership – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Revolutionizing Abia’s Digital Landscap: Governor Otti’s Visionary Leadership – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D (SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance
Revolutionizing Abia's Digital Landscape: Governor Otti's Visionary Leadership Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D Governor Alex Chioma Otti OFR's administration is pioneering the deployment of fibre optic infrastructure in Abia State, a strategic move to improve mobile network connectivity. This initiative is part of the state government's efforts to deploy fibre optic and internet connectivity across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with WIOCC, a renowned ICT and Broadband Technology Company. The project is expected to have a profound impact on Abia State's socio-economic development. With the deployment of metropolitan optic fibre…
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Jan
22
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Nnamdi Kanu Files Suit Against Bashir Ahmad For Terrorism Defamation, Seeks N100Billion In Damages

Nnamdi Kanu Files Suit Against Bashir Ahmad For Terrorism Defamation, Seeks N100Billion In Damages

Judiciary, News Flash, Politics
Nnamdi Kanu Files Suit Against Bashir Ahmad For Terrorism Defamation, Seeks N100Billion In Damages The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a suit before the High Court of Enugu State against Bashir Ahmad, the former Special Assistant on Digital Communication to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, for terrorism defamation. Kanu, who filed the suit through his legal team led by his Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, in his statement of claim, said on or about January 19, 2025, Ahmad defamed and libeled him by his utterances, published on X App (formerly Twitter). He said Ahmad’s…
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Jan
22
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
Okonjo-Iweala Speaks Amid Trump Tariff Threats

Okonjo-Iweala Speaks Amid Trump Tariff Threats

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Foreign Affairs, World News
Okonjo-Iweala Speaks Amid Trump Tariff Threats Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has called for calm over tariff threats by United States (US) President Donald Trump. On Monday, after his presidential inauguration, Trump threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada for failing to meet US immigration standards by February 1. At the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Okonjo-Iweala addressed the development during a panel discussion held on Tuesday. Okonjo-Iweala advised WTO members to observe actual policy implementations before reacting, saying calmness is necessary during uncertain developments. “I’m concerned, but you can…
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Jan
21
2025
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By Abia ThinkTank
FG Approves Licence For 10,000 Barrels Per Day Refinery In Delta State

FG Approves Licence For 10,000 Barrels Per Day Refinery In Delta State

Business, FGN, News Flash, Oil & Gas
FG Approves Licence For 10,000 Barrels Per Day Refinery In Delta State The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, has announced the approval of a licence for the construction of a new refinery. The approval was given to MRO Energy Limited, an energy company for the construction of a 10,000 Barrels Per Stream Day Refinery at Imode In Ughelli, Delta State, This development comes two months after the authority granted a license to Process Design and Development Limited to establish and construct a new 27,000 barrels per day refinery located in Dole-Wure, Akko area of…
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