IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

President Donald Trump has threatened the BRICS countries with 100% tariffs if they move away from using the US dollar for international transactions.

Trump issued the warning via his Truth Social platform, stating, “The idea that BRICS nations are trying to abandon the Dollar, while we stand by and watch, is over. We will demand a commitment from these countries to not create a new BRICS currency or back any alternative to the US dollar. If they refuse, they will face 100% tariffs and lose access to the US economy.”

BRICS, which consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, expanded in early 2024 with the addition of Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the UAE, and Indonesia joined in January 2025. The group seeks to counterbalance the influence of the G7, the leading Western economic powers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the US dollar’s dominance and is pushing for a new payment system within BRICS to lessen Russia’s dependence on the dollar, especially in light of Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

Trump, known for imposing tariffs during his first term from 2017 to 2021, emphasized that the US would not tolerate challenges to the dollar’s supremacy. 

Popular retail chain SPAR has announced a ban on the use of nylon bags in its stores as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.  

The move aims to reduce plastic waste and promote eco-friendly alternatives. Customers are encouraged to bring reusable bags or opt for available biodegradable packaging options.  

Further details on implementation and customer guidelines are expected soon.

The verbal crossfire between former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and presidential media aide Daniel Bwala continued on Thursday when the ex-governor said he would have still excoriate the All Progressives Congress (APC) if were in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu as a minister.

On Monday, El-Rufai spoke at a national conference in Abuja, saying he no longer recognise the APC and that the party has tended toward a one-man show. “You cannot afford to have illiterates, semi-illiterates, and cunning people as your leaders. This is why we end up with the poor leadership we have today,” he had said, criticising the leadership of the party. Bwala responded on X and said El-Rufai would not have expressed such a position if he were in the cabinet of the President.

He said, “My Senior brother, if you were to be in the government and cabinet, would you have held and expressed the same position? History is replete with examples. It is a government you participated in its formation, that you now want to unseat. Haba Mallam.”

Replying to the presidential aide on X, El-Rufai said, “I was cabinet minister 22 years ago, and was clear to Asiwaju that I was not interested in any position in his future government. The pathetic manner all of you latter-day converts to the Tinubu government make an issue of something that I never wanted in the first place is perhaps a reflection of the level of your moral flexibility.

“If I had remained in the Tinubu government, I will say or do the same on the tragedy within a party I was a founder, and the government that emerged from it – first in private sessions with those concerned, and then go public if no remedial actions are taken. Go and check my public service record from 1998.”

Tinubu nominated El-Rufai as minister in August 2023 but the ex-governor’s nomination was rejected by the Senate. Since the incident, El-Rufai has not been seen in a gathering of APC chieftains. The former governor has also not been seen around the Aso Villa, the seat of power, or near the president whom he vigorously campaigned for in the last poll.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has agreed to pay former U.S. President Donald Trump $25 million to settle a lawsuit over the suspension of his social media accounts.

Trump filed the lawsuit in 2021 after Meta suspended his accounts following the January 6 Capitol riot. The settlement represents a major concession from the tech giant and a win for Trump, who has long criticized social media platforms for alleged censorship.

During Meta’s quarterly earnings call on Wednesday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg praised the Trump administration’s support for American tech companies and emphasized the importance of redefining relationships with governments.

According to The Wall Street Journal, approximately $22 million from the settlement will go toward funding Trump’s presidential library, while the remaining $3 million will cover legal fees and compensation for other plaintiffs involved in the case.

Meta, however, has not admitted to any wrongdoing as part of the agreement.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has admitted to technical issues in its recent public auction of forfeited vehicles and pledged to review complaints from affected participants.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale acknowledged concerns such as website accessibility problems, participants being locked out after submitting bids, and reports of inflated prices. He attributed the challenges to overwhelming participation—exceeding four million bidders—and unstable internet services.

The commission clarified that while it monitored the auction, it could not directly intervene as it was handled by accredited auctioneers in line with legal provisions. EFCC assured the public that it is awaiting reports from the auctioneers and will review legitimate complaints to ensure fairness.

Despite the glitches, successful bidders without issues will receive their vehicles as scheduled. The EFCC reiterated its commitment to transparency and ensuring the nation gets full value for the forfeited assets.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on Thursday launched five Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) mini-plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

The five LNG mini-plants are PRIME LNG, NGML/Gasnexus LNG, BUA LNG, Highland LNG, and LNG Arete. These plants will take their feedstock, which is natural gas, from natural gas pipes that are already traveling up to the Ajaokuta location.

The main source pipeline for the mini-plants are the AKK pipeline, which is the Ajaokuta-Kano-Kaduna gas pipeline being built by the Federal Government.

These plants would serve gas to parts of the country that are currently without any form of gas infrastructure.

Presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, says he will support the strengthening of social media regulations if appointed Minister of Information and Culture by President Bola Tinubu. Alake, from Ekiti State, is one of the 28 ministerial nominees of Tinubu for screening. He appeared before the red chamber on the third consecutive day (Wednesday) of the exercise.

Alake was a Commissioner of Information and Strategy in Lagos State when Tinubu was governor of the state from May 1999 to May 2007. Tinubu previously appointed Alake as his spokesman and later as a ministerial nominee.

Responding to questions from lawmakers on Wednesday, Alake advocated value reorientation from the family level to the national level. “I will support serious attitudinal change if I find myself in office responsible to attitudinal change,” he told the lawmakers. “On social media regulation, there is some concern, not just here but all over the world but particularly in our environment about the pernicious nature of the social media or the effect.”

Alake said there are the positive and negative sides of the social media, however, “the downside of social media is that it is detrimental to a good and decent society”. “What I would support is the strengthening of regulations,” the nominee from Ekiti State noted.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu and his National Commissioners on Wednesday, met with members of the various transport unions which the commission had engaged during the 2023 General Elections. 

The meeting which had as its main objective, the review of the conduct of the 2023 General Elections, was also attended by electoral officers.

According to the Commission, a review of the conduct of the engaged transport unions vis-a vis the implementation of the MOU signed with unions on the provision of logistics, is sacrosanct.

Also, the meeting took stock of how the electoral officers, who served as field supervisors carried out their assignments.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) has described as untrue a social media video showing a woman washing Golden Penny Semovita in a sieve using cold water and claimed that the residue she got after sieving was plastic. In a press statement personally signed by NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye stated that a similar video was circulated in 2020 which later turned out to be untrue after a scientific analysis of Semovita content. "Upon receiving the alerts from various quarters in the community in 2020, the Director General immediately gave a directive to conduct emergency post-marketing analysis using different brands of Semolina. 

"The Agency investigated this claim by conducting appropriate analytical testing in her internationally accredited laboratories. The results showed that there was no plastic or any similar harmful contaminants in Golden Penny Semovita. It contained the expected components plus the required Vitamin A.  "NAFDAC therefore wishes to inform the general public that the claim in the social media video assertions is misleading. The alleged Golden Penny Semovita is a brand of semolina, a very popular flour made from wheat and consumed in several parts of the world. Semolina contains mainly water, carbohydrates and about 13% of gluten-forming proteins. 

"Gluten is made up of two classes of proteins - glutenin and gliadin, which upon addition of water combine to form gluten, a protein that gives nutritive value and imparts other characteristic properties to the product. "Glutenin normally gives a bread dough the ability to rise during baking while gliadin gives it the viscous and elastic (viscoelastic) properties, or it simply makes it extensible and elastic. This latter property is the rubbery/plastic-like appearance that was exhibited in the said video. Semolina has no plastic content in it; it only exhibits viscous and elastic properties. "The rubbery-like material that was observed in the video after many washings with water is the gluten that formed after the gluten-forming proteins get mixed with water.

Golden Penny Semovita is manufactured by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc., a registered company which has been granted marketing authorization by NAFDAC to manufacture the product and offer for sale in Nigeria. "The company’s operations were certified by NAFDAC after meeting the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS). NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that Golden Penny Semovita and indeed all other semolina products registered by the Agency are safe for human consumption having been so approved by the Agency, following science-driven regulatory diligence. 

"There is no cause for apprehension by consumers as such approved products are manufactured in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and in compliance with the Nigerian Industrial Standards, which is continuously monitored by NAFDAC. "Members of the public are implored to exercise discretion in the use of social media to address any suspicion they may have on regulated products. Resorting to social media has the tendency to cause fear and panic. Rather, they should contact the nearest NAFDAC office or contact NAFDAC via online channels at reforms@nafdac.gov.ng  Or Call: 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322) for immediate response".

By Festus Ajayi (Owerri)

The Abuja Municipal Council Area, FCT, has named a street after Sir Young-Toby Ekechi, MD/CEO, First Generation Mortgage Bank.

In a letter jointly signed by Mr Peter Ijwo, Director of Operations and Mr Dirijo D. Dahni, Admin Officer, Abuja Municipal Area Council and availed to our correspondent disclose; "We are pleased to inform you that you have been unanimously endorsed amongst eminent Nigerians, Leaders and Public Servants for the distinct honour of being immortalized by naming a street (in your name) within the Abuja Municipality, Federal Capital Territory.  

Your endorsment was purely based on personal merit, hence in recognition of your outstanding contributions and commitment to the society and National Economy. Undoubtedly, FCT-Abuja remains the epitome of our continuous corporate existence. 

The intent behind the naming of the street after achievers is to memorialize their efforts and to promote awareness of the individual and express appreciation for their special contributions to the nation. Subject to your acceptance of this nomination, kindly confirm your formal response, the statement disclosed.

Our correspondent gathered that the street named after Ekechi is located in Kaura district and accessed through St Christopher Catholic Church, Games Village, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the news of the naming of the street after Ekechi has been greeted with commendations by friends, relatives and associates of the Imo State born financial guru and bank Executive. 

Ekechi according to report is a philanthropist and leadership coach who have continued to impart positively on young Nigerians across the country.

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Qatari Giants, Al Sadd Sports Club will be offering Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho to the tune of £200,000 Per-Week if he agrees to join them according to a source monitoring players' transfer across Europe and Asia.

Iheanacho who regained form recently may want to leave the King Power Stadium in the summer in search of regular playing time as the Super Eagles step up preparations ahead of the AFCON 2024 tournament.

Al Sadd on the other hand would want to retain it's Qatar Super League Championship and also further push towards winning it's 2nd AFC championship; hence the need for a lucrative forward who can also double as an attacking Midfielder.

"Iheanacho if it pleases him may just be on his way to Asia in the summer," the source revealed to NPFL Updates correspondent Sunday evening.

"Al Sadd as well as Al Duhail SC is interested in the player with the first likely to win the race. A source close to the club, revealed to me that the club is willing to offer him(Iheanacho) to the tune of £200k Per-Week. That's how badly they needed him."

By Ikenna ONUOHA, Mnipr 

For sometime now, the only message been churned out for public discourse is that Evang Myke Ikoku is working for the APC and the present Hope Uzodinma led administration in the state.

While some say that their conviction to believe or assume that Evang Ikoku is covertly working for the current government of APC in the state is because, he had hitherto convened a political pressure group, “HOPISM” for Governor Uzodinma and his administration.

As Igbo adage puts it, “it is better for the wind to blow, for everyone to know that a Reverend Father wears trouser”. Before government came against Evang Ikoku, all efforts to dissuade or disabuse the minds of the public by convincing them that Evang Ikoku has nothing to do with the APC government of Hope Uzodinma fell on deaf ears, but the current government’s actions against AllSeasons group has summarily vindicated Evang Ikoku.

Now the crux: Those who know Evang Myke Ikoku can attest that he is a man of his words, very principled, disciplined and focused. Aside being an entrepreneur of note, he is also a renowned politician and crack business mogul.

As a focused politician and business man, Evang Ikoku knows when to starts and ends an action especially, when such action is in variance with the expectations and vision of the masses.

It is most absurd and preposterous to assume that having established a business empire worth over N20 billion in his state, Imo and assisted the government to reduce unemployment saga, that Evang Ikoku should not be accorded the needed respect as a major stakeholder in the state.

Regrettably, those who call themselves leaders or stakeholders including the Governor do not have any stake in Imo state. This is because major of their businesses are either cited in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers or Delta State respectively, but in his case, Evang Ikoku resolved to bring his wealth home to assist in the enforcement of the mantra of “Aku Ruo Ulo”.

Prior to the sealing of Mimi place and Havana Cinema respectively over a blotted tax, Evang Ikoku had secured a court order baring the APC administration led by Governor Uzodinma not to demand tax for the period of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic. The order based its decision that during the period, all businesses within the state and the country at large were shut and lockdown.

Painfully, the government outrightly disobeyed this Court order and still went ahead to close down his businesses. What this means is that the state does not respect the law that established it.

However, having passed through the hot needle of the brutal APC administration in Imo state, doubting Thomases and agents of PDP destabilization can now rest and see that Evang Ikoku is strongly opposed to the policies of the government in the state hence, now working for APC except his party, the PDP.

It is unbelievable to accept hook line and sinker with respect to the morons abd nonentities that someone like Evang Ikoku could be treated like this if actually, he is working for this government?

The gestapo way the state government’s agents carried out the “illegal” sealing despite court order is an indication that the Hope Uzodinma’s administration has been nursing some acrimony and animosity against Evang Ikoku for a long time. 

Report has it that since Evang Ikoku left and dumped the Governor Uzodinma’s government after he discovered that government’s policies were in variance to his genuine vision and conscience to direct and redirect the government aright on the good part to toe; the administration has been targeting him for a reprisal.

The manner in which government’s agents carried out the sealing confirmed the public assumption that it was not only politically motivated but a clear vendetta against Evang Ikoku for leaving or dumping the HOPISM ideology and the administration at large.

This action of government’s brigandage and forceful entry in the state is not only bad, alarming and discouraging owing to the fact that the state is been confronted with debilitating insecurity where hundreds of innocent citizens have died. A situation where government that ought to be protecting the masses engage same masses in fierce battle has much to be desired.

....

Onuoha is a Media, Public Relations Practitioner and Public Affairs Analyst Writes From Umundugba, Isu LGA, Imo State.

#LeaveMykeIkokuAlone

#UnsealMimiHavavaCinemaNow

#LetThereBePeaceInImo

.....Abduct 20 staffs, whereabout unknown

There is palpable fear and tension in Owerri, the state capital following invasion of Havana Cinema and Mimi's Place premises by armed gunmen working with the state government. 

Eye witness account reveal that invasion which looked like a robbery operation had over 50 armed gunmen in company of some staffs of Imo Internal Revenue Service, IIRS gained entrance into the premises and opened fire  as they shot sporadically scaring away customers and passersby and finally whisked away twenty staffs working at Mimi's Place and Havana Cinema to an unknown destination. 

Report had it that the ever busy All Seasons Avenue was shut down as there was no vehicular movement due to the sporadic shootings by the armed gunmen who besieged the premises on company of Imo State government's agents (IIRS staffs).

The surprising aspect of the whole scenerio was that some staffs of the IIRS that wore media jackets were seen taking video and pictures of the commando-like operation, only God knows what their agenda was, an eye witness who observed the operation disclosed.

Meanwhile, the management of Mimi's Place and Havana Cinema had already gone on air to draw attention of Imolites and the general public to the attack on their business premises.

Customers and patronizers of the popular Mimi's Place, located at All Seasons Avenue, Owerri has condemned the directive of the state government to seal off some business outlets in the state.

Some of the customers who confided in our reporter disclosed that the action of the state government was a political witch-hunt targeted at some Imo sons who may have some rift with the governor.

According to one of the patronizers of Mimi's place who identified himself as Chidex disclosed to our reporter Saturday morning 'I was at Mimi's place on Friday night to hang out with friends only to see IIRS's seal at the entrance gate leading to the premises. Am a regular at Mimi's place due to the serenity of the environment and entertainment vibes. I have read several reports both on print and social media how the owner of Mimi's place is being alledged to be an associate of Gov Hope Uzodinma contracted to distabilize Imo PDP but I wonder how an ally of a governor would be a victim of witch-hunt as a result of sealing his business premises, I find it difficult to reconcile this', Chidex disclosed.

It was gathered that Mimi's place was sealed as result of the Best of Judgement on Consumption Tax Remittance from January 2020 - January 2022 amounting to 51 (Fifty one)  million naira.

Recall that in 2020, COVID-19 wrecked havoc globally, resulting to shut down of business activities, alot of people lost their jobs while companies retrenched staffs due to rapid decline in revenue generation.

In Owerri, the Imo State capital, businesses were shut down following directives by the state government declaring Lockdown in the state.

Due to the dwindling economy occasioned by the pandemic, the Imo Internal Revenue Service (IIRS) issued a public notice with the title:

WAIVER ON 5% CONSUMPTION TAX FOR NON-FILING AND NON-PAYMENT the above decision on waiver was reached to help cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on hotels and allied services. Of a truth, business activities was brought to a halt in 2020. Few months after the COVID-19 pandemic was gradually been contained, the ENDSARS protest took it's turn as youths in their numbers occupied major cities to register their grievance against the government at the center. 

This was followed by the gruesome killings by the UNGUN KNOWN-MEN No reasonable government will after considering the challenges that confronted these employers of labor, take such decision to seal off business premises without first exploiting dialogue with those affected.

'I can now decipher that all we read on social media about Gov Uzodinma's romance with the Myke Ikoku plotting to destroy Imo PDP to be false and cheap blackmail to malign reputation of the foremost employer of labor in Imo State, Mr Jerry Nkemakolam told our reporter. ' How can Ikoku be working for a government against PDP and at the same time be a victim of same government's treacherous act, people should stop blackmailing innocent people unnecessarily. 

'How do you expect investors to be able to pay tax when the government fails to do its own part by providing a conducive environment, ensure safety of life and properties amongst other', Nkemakolam opined.

Meanwhile, when the manager of Mimi's place was contacted, he declined comment but rather told our reporter that the management is yet to respond officially as regards the seal off of the premises by IIRS officials.

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