Blog - Abia ThinkTank News

Nov

2025

Reps Urge FG To Suspend WAEC’s Planned CBT For 2026 WASSCE

Education, National Assembly, News Flash

Reps Urge FG To Suspend WAEC’s Planned CBT For 2026 WASSCE The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to halt the planned introduction of Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Lawmakers warned that the move, if implemented, could trigger widespread failure, psychological distress, and even fatalities among students ill-equipped for the digital transition. The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Kelechi Nworgu on Thursday, who cautioned that adopting CBT without adequate preparation could spark a major educational crisis. Nworgu…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Ponmo Consumption Threatens $5 Billion Leather Industry – FGN

Economy, Business, FGN, News Flash

Ponmo Consumption Threatens $5 Billion Leather Industry – FGN The Federal Government has warned that the continued consumption of hides and skins, popularly known as ponmo, poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s leather industry, currently valued at about $5 billion. Speaking at the National Campaign Against the Consumption of Ponmo held on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ikemounso, said the practice deprives local industries of vital raw materials needed for leather production and export. Ikemounso disclosed that the Nigerian leather goods market was valued at $2.79 billion in 2024 and…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Wike Lacks Patience, Disrespected Tinubu In Standoff With Naval Officer – Defence Minister, Matawalle

Abuja, Columns/Opinions/Letters, News Flash, Personality

Wike Lacks Patience, Disrespected Tinubu In Standoff With Naval Officer – Defence Minister, Matawalle Defence minister Bello Matawalle has criticised former Governor Nyesom Wike over a standoff involving a naval officer, Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima. The standoff, which occurred on Tuesday, arose over the ownership of a parcel of land in Gaduwa District, Abuja, guarded by armed naval officers led by Mr Yerima, who was carrying out orders from a former naval chief, Zubairu Gambo. In an interview with DCL Hausa on Wednesday, Mr Matwalle stated that the matter ought to have been resolved administratively, rather than Mr Wike, the FCT…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4-1, Advance To World Cup Playoff Final

Football, International, Sports

Nigeria Thrash Gabon 4 – 1, Advance To World Cup Playoff Final Victor Osimhen scored twice as the Super Eagles sealed an emphatic 4-1 victory over the Panthers of Gabon in extra time to advance to the next playoff stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday at Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco. After a goalless first half, Akor Adams broke the deadlock early in the second half, capitalising on a player’s error to put Nigeria ahead. Gabon, however, equalised four minutes before the end of the match, forcing the game into extra time. Chidera Ejuke restored Nigeria’s…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Criticise Government Policies With Knowledge, Fairness – Tinubu Tells Editors

News Flash, Presidency

Criticise Government Policies With Knowledge, Fairness – Tinubu Tells Editors President Bola Tinubu has urged media practitioners in Nigeria to freely criticise government policies but to do so with fairness, and a sense of national responsibility. The President made the call on Wednesday at the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja, where he acknowledged the vital role of the media in shaping public discourse and strengthening democracy. Tinubu cautioned journalists against using criticism to undermine the nation’s progress, stressing that the media must remain partners in building a stronger and more united country. “I urge you to continue upholding the…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

UN Lists Nigeria Among 16 Hunger Hotspots, Warns Of Looming Global Famine Threat

Foreign Affairs, Economy, News Flash

UN Lists Nigeria Among 16 Hunger Hotspots, Warns Of Looming Global Famine Threat Two United Nations food agencies have warned that millions more people could face famine as funding shortages worsen already dire humanitarian conditions around the world. In a joint report released on Wednesday, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said that conflict and violence were driving acute food insecurity in most of the countries identified as high-risk. The agencies listed Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen as the worst-affected nations, “where populations face an imminent risk of catastrophic hunger.” Countries…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Wike Is Abuja’s Chief Security Officer; He Must Be Respected By Military – Asari Dokubo

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Abuja, Armed Forces

Wike Is Abuja’s Chief Security Officer; He Must Be Respected By Military – Asari Dokubo Asari Dokubo, the Niger Delta activist, has condemned the confrontation between Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and a military officer over a disputed land in Abuja. On Tuesday, videos surfaced online showing Wike in a heated argument with military personnel at a site in Abuja, the nation’s capital. In the footage, Wike is seen stepping in to defuse the situation, separating his security detail from the soldiers as tensions escalated. Speaking with the officers, the minister demanded to see the…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Some Groups Burying Empty Coffins To Fake Christian Killings In Nigeria – Sheikh Gumi Declares

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Religion, Security

Some Groups Burying Empty Coffins To Fake Christian Killings In Nigeria – Sheikh Gumi Declares Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has alleged that some groups in Nigeria’s Middle Belt are staging fake mass burials by “burying empty coffins” to promote a false narrative of Christian genocide in the country. Gumi made the claim in a post on his verified Facebook page while reacting to criticism over his ongoing stay in Turkey amid heightened global attention on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The cleric’s remarks follow former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting that Christians are being…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

Nigeria Needs $150Billion To Fund Vaccine Procurement For 2026 – FGN

FGN, Health, News Flash

Nigeria Needs $150billion To Fund Vaccine Procurement For 2026 – FG The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, on Wednesday announced that Nigeria is seeking to raise nearly N150bn to fund vaccine procurement for 2025 and 2026. Edun revealed this at the 2025 Joint Annual Review of the Health Sector, themed “All Hands, One Mission: Bringing the Nigerian Health Sector to Light.” The Joint Annual Review is one of Nigeria’s most important accountability platforms for the health sector, convening stakeholders to review progress, assess performance, and align priorities for the year ahead. Edun said, “The…

Nov

2025

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By Abia ThinkTank

US-Based Rights Group Accuses Nigerian Government Of Overlooking ‘Christian Genocide’, Calls For Global Sanctions

Foreign Affairs, News Flash, Religion, Security

US-based Rights Group Accuses Nigerian Govt Of Overlooking ‘Christian Genocide,’ Calls For Global Sanctions A United States–based human rights and policy research body, Ekwenche Research Institute, has accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to what it described as the systematic killing of Christians and ethnic minorities across the country. The group called for international sanctions against those sponsoring or enabling acts of religious extremism and violence in Nigeria. In a statement issued from its Chicago office on Wednesday and signed by Dr. Mbajiogu Akujieze (President), Mazi Luke Nwannunu (Secretary and Chairman, Ekwenche Genocide Committee), and Rev. Emeka…