IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, lived a worthy life, describing his death as a monumental loss to Nigeria. Atiku said this when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Yoruba leader on Sunday with his entourage.

“It is quite true that this house has hosted me a couple of times. What did I take away from this house? The virtues that Pa Adebanjo lived and preached throughout his life,” Atiku said. He added, “So, it is a matter of honor, respect that after his demise we should come and pay respect to his life, his works, his contributions to the unity and peaceful coexistence of this country.

“His loss is a monumental loss to the immediate family and to those of us who have admired him and tried to emulate his ways of life and his belief in the unity of this country. “Therefore, it is my singular honour and privilege to identify with his immediate family in this grave and irreparable loss which has affected the family. “We all have to go one day but with some God, he lived a worthy life and a life that can rarely be compared to so many people.

“Therefore, on behalf of the very short entourage that has accompanied me here, we are here to condone the family to let you know that we share your loss because he was also a father to us.

“He was a father, he was an adviser, he was a guide in what we have set to do for this country, and he has always made sure that he told us the truth and nothing but the truth So we will continue to honour him. What I mean by honoring him is to honor the family he left behind.” 

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna 

Owerri, Imo State.

Media propaganda has been a veritable tool adopted by most politicians who use both hack writers and paid media herlings to influence public perception and opinion; which, if not thoroughly checkmated and tackled headon, may heat up the polity, incite people against themselves, deepen misunderstanding, and inspire anarchy.

Reading through a hurriedly - written response by a certain Prof. Mark Anyanwu, whose claims to be a lecturer at the Bowen University-Iwo is still in doubt, against Dr. Chima Amadi (Mazi Gburugburu) ; rave of the moment and the new conservation of Imo politics: my attention, was once again, drawn to yet another fictious, invented fiction, and politically sponsored story by one Ikecukwu Iwuagwu; with the caption: `` Exposing Chima Amadi: The Billionaire Without A Traceable Source Of Income``, making it the 14th sponsored stories in the last four days cooked up against one man whose only crime is showing interest in running for Imo topmost governorship seat through the activities of The Mazi Organization (TMO); a fast growing socio-political movement that serves as a catalyst for sensitization, humanitrian outreach, advocacy for good governance, and also a launch pad for his guber project.

While many erroneously think he is a political neophyte and Jonny Just Come (JJC); Dr. Chima Mathew Amadi has come a long way in the private sector; a silent achiever, a dangerous giver without noise, a powerful bridge builder, a renowed scholar of international repute, respected community leader, and uncommon philantropist who doesn't play to the gallery, or make boast about his achievements but keeps leveraging his rich contacts within the corridors of power and across government's institutions to assist the key political players in Imo and beyond. 

To those who have known him in the last 20 years and still counting; they can confidently tell you of a workaholic , consistent, dogged, and result -oriented business maverick and serial entrepreneur who started his life's trajectory as a major dealer of staple food supply -chain from the North where he would buy these products direct from farms in large quantities, load them in about five heavy duty lorries , transport them to Abuja, before wholesalers would gather to purchase these farm produce. Without Chima Amadi most families may not eat stock fish (okporoko). This is one of the few shocking surprises to those who are questioning his source of wealth as this man has been a major importer of stockfish in Nigeria. This claim is verifiable.

While others were grossly involved in party politics and contracts lobbying, Dr. Chima Mathew Amadi was busy building his business empire with interests spanning; agriculture, telecommunications, media, real estate, management consultancy, and finance. He also devouted ample time to rigorously pursue his academics; acquiring degrees from Nigerian Universities, in United States of America, as well as United Kingdom, which served as a fulcrum to establish one of the leading civil society and advocacy groups in Nigeria; ISDMG.

The Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group, an intellectual initiative of Dr. Chima Amadi, is a Civil Society Organization birthed with the sole purpose of assisting the people in ensuring that effective service is rendered by government institutions especially those that have been mandated with specific statutory functions.

Aspiring for Imo topmost seat in government is no small feat. It demands adequate preparation, resilience, foresight, and an unwavering commitment to excellence and leadership. Dr. Chima Amadi (Mazi Gburugburu) is quite aware of all this , and also quite aware that power would not be handed over to anyone on a platter of gold just like success, little wonder, he committed his time over the years to building his business conglomerate, expanding his network, acquiring degrees, attending leadership courses overseas, and silently empowering men in politics and entreprenurship. 

 His growing popularity in the Imo political space is not a surprise to keen observers of his journey through life and silent involvement in enthroning political leaders , especially, at the national level as he is little known back home.

To the conservative, there are lasting lessons to learn from the driving passion for service, socio-economic philosophy, leadership style and political trajectory of Dr. Chima Mathew Amadi. 

Today, he stands out as one of the frontline contenders for Douglas House ahead 2027, judging by his robust political engagements, humanitrian outreach and social activities. No sane mind would deny this even if you are not rooting for him. 

While he is dogged and courageous in any people - orinted good cause, Dr. Chima Mathew Amadi is a peerless brand of humility, integrity, financial discipline, prudence, love for the poor, honesty of purpose, candour and a patriotic fervor still uncommon in Nigeria's effervescent political horizon.

A brand , according to marketing expert and newspaper Columnist with The Punch, Azuka Onwuka, `` is the sum total of the relationships a company, product, service or even a person has with the customers``. It is not a mere living or breathing organism but an experience - a worthy one at that . And so it is with Dr. Chima Amadi. A glimpse at some of the instances when and where he had demonstrated the afforementioned leadership qualities would serve as an enduring guide. 

Dr. Chima Amadi recognizes that in every religion, including the metaphysics that the spirits are the harbingers of both fortunes and misfortunes that visit mankind , thus, he chose to toe the path of transcendental virtues of charity, honesty, humility, and passionate service to mankind: contrary to those who indulge in vices of hate, envy, anger, callousness, smear campaign of calumny, and pull him down syndrome. 

Mazi Gburugburu has made men and built powerful institutions, and through his appropriate engagements and relentless service to humanity, has also built a formidable wall of goodwill around himself. 

Let other contenders present their report cards, we are here to do justice to them! 

Njoku Macdonald Obinna`is a Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR- Expert and Independent Publisher. 

Ekaette Akpabio, wife of Nigeria’s Senate President, has filed multiple lawsuits against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the Federal High Court in Abuja, citing breach of fundamental rights and defamation over statements made by the Kogi Central senator on Arise News.  

In one of the suits, Mrs. Akpabio is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain Akpoti-Uduaghan from making further allegedly scandalous statements. She is also demanding N250 billion in punitive damages for the alleged infringement of her fundamental rights and an additional N1 billion in damages for the purported harm caused by the defamatory remarks.  

Another lawsuit specifically challenges Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim on Arise News that Senate President Godswill Akpabio made sexual advances toward her, arguing that the statement has damaged her reputation and that of her family.  

Mrs. Akpabio is also asking the court to order a formal retraction of the statements and an unconditional apology published in two national newspapers, including ThisDay. 

... as Onyeocha lauds Governor Uzodimma. 

The National Sports Festival Zonal Elimination for team teams have come and gone as Imo State came tops from South-East claiming Gold in male and female category in all featured sports except in football where they yielded for the silver medal. 

Some of the Imo contingents on returning from Enugu, venue for the games praised the efforts of the Honorable Commissioner for Sports Development in Imo State, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha for galvanizing support and boosting their morale before their departure to Enugu. 

According to Chibuzor, a volleyball player, "The Honorable Commissioner really tried for us. He made sure our journey to Enugu was worthwhile and we have rewarded him with Gold Medals. This is first of its kind". 

Also Obi a football player eulogized the Commissioner for his kind heartedness and described him as a Saviour of Sports in Imo state. "It has never happened before in Imo State where we go for games and return with only gold Medals. The Commissioner is God sent", he noted. 

Welcoming the Imo contingents, the Honorable Commissioner thanked them for making the state proud with their performance at Enugu and tasked them to replicate same feat during the National Sports Festival that will be holding in Ogun State in a matter of weeks. 

He appreciated the efforts and large heart of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma who he described as a Sports Ambassador who have revolutionalized Sports in the State. "The Sports loving Governor has yet again shown that sports must thrive in our state through continued support and encouragements.

It will be recalled that 5 states of the South-East participated in the games with Imo State sweeping Gold Medals in Abula, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Handball, Hockey, Beach Volleyball and Volleyball except for Football (Female category) where they settled for the silver medal. 

Liverpool announced a pre-tax loss of £57 million ($72 million) for the 2023/24 season, attributing the setback to their absence from the Champions League and rising operational expenses.

Despite the loss, the club’s overall revenue increased by £20 million to £614 million, with commercial revenue surging by £36 million to £308 million. However, a £38 million drop in media revenue contributed to a second consecutive year in the red.

Liverpool’s failure to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016/17 impacted finances, though matchday income grew by £22 million following the expansion of the Anfield Road stand. Staff costs, including wages and bonuses, rose by £13 million to £386 million, partly due to incentives for Champions League qualification and their League Cup victory in Jürgen Klopp’s final season.

Severance payments for Klopp and his coaching staff totaled £9.6 million, while the departures of high earners like Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson helped ease the wage bill. The club also invested around £150 million in new signings, including Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch.

Finance officer Jenny Beacham emphasized the club’s commitment to financial sustainability, citing the importance of increasing revenue streams to balance rising costs.

Currently, Liverpool is on track for a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title, leading the Premier League by 13 points with 10 games remaining. They are also set to face Newcastle in the League Cup final on March 16 and will play Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16. 

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the local government election held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024, was invalid, illegal, null, and void. The election, won by the All Peoples Party (APP), was annulled due to non-compliance with legal requirements.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur stated that the Rivers State Electoral Commission disregarded essential legal procedures, violating Section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.

Prior to the election, an Abuja Federal High Court had, on September 30, 2024, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) with the voters’ register for the election. The court also prohibited the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the polls.

Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the Federal High Court ruling, stated that RSIEC acted unlawfully by setting the election date for October 5, 2024, without adhering to necessary legal provisions.

Key violations cited include:

Failure to publish the mandatory 90-day election notice as required by law.

Inadequate update and revision of the voters’ register before setting an election date.

As a result, the court ordered INEC not to release the certified voter register until all legal requirements were fulfilled. It also barred RSIEC from using any voter register for the election. 

Former lawmaker Shehu Sani has expressed disappointment over the ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that it is unfortunate the issue has now shifted to matters of the “bed.”

His comment follows Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegation of sexual harassment against Akpabio during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show. She claimed that Akpabio obstructed her motions in the Senate after she rejected his advances.

However, Akpabio denied the accusation through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo.

Reacting to the controversy, Sani urged for caution and restraint, posting on his X handle:

"It’s unfortunate that the Senate issue was simply about seat and now about bed. Need for caution and restraint." 

A Delta State High Court in Warri has ruled against the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), declaring the 16-year minimum age requirement for university admission unconstitutional.

Presiding over Suit No: W/311/FHR/2024, Justice Anthony Akpovi ruled in favor of John Aikpokpo-Martins, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, who challenged JAMB’s restriction on the basis of constitutional rights.

Aikpokpo-Martins argued that the restriction violated Sections 18(1) and 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandate equal educational opportunities and prohibit discrimination. He sought several declarations and orders, including:

Nullification of JAMB’s October 16, 2024, circular, which enforced the 16-year age restriction.

A directive for universities to admit candidates who turn 16 between January 1 and December 31, 2025, provided they meet other admission criteria.

A perpetual injunction preventing authorities from denying university admission based solely on age.

While granting Aikpokpo-Martins’ reliefs, the court, however, refused his request for damages. 

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has warned that foreign airlines refusing to patronize local caterers for outbound meals risk having their summer flight schedules rejected.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on ‘Transforming the Aviation Industry’ in Lagos on Friday, Keyamo criticized international airlines for neglecting local caterers. He insisted that approval for their flight schedules would be contingent on signing agreements with Nigerian catering companies.

“I will not approve the summer schedule for foreign airlines until they provide proof of partnership with our local caterers,” he declared.

The minister further stated that any airline unwilling to comply could stop flying into Nigeria, adding that local carriers like Air Peace could take over their routes.

Additionally, Keyamo announced plans to establish the first international airport in the North East, revealing that the Maiduguri airport is currently being upgraded to achieve international status. 

A Magistrate Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, has ordered the remand of Austin Okai over allegations of cyberstalking and criminal defamation against Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

The Department of State Services (DSS) sought the court’s approval to detain Okai while investigations continue, citing Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System, which mandates court authorization for detention beyond 48 hours.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, Magistrate Mobah Abdullahi of Chief Magistrate Court 1, Lugard Court, Lokoja, granted the request, ordering Okai’s remand at the Federal Correctional Center, Kabba. The case was adjourned to March 13, 2025.

Case Background

Okai, a former PDP candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, is facing trial over a social media post in which he accused Governor Ododo of misappropriating billions of naira allocated to Local Government Councils and state agencies.

The court’s decision ensures Okai remains in custody while investigations continue. 

Bitcoin has fallen below $80,000, marking a 25% drop from last month’s peak, as US tariff threats from President Trump and crypto-related scandals shake investor confidence.

Key Factors Behind the Decline:

Bybit Hack: The Dubai-based exchange lost $1.5 billion in Ethereum, with the FBI blaming North Korea.

Argentine Crypto Scandal: President Javier Milei is under investigation for promoting the now-collapsed $LIBRA token.

Investor Sell-offs: Bitcoin traded at $95,000 earlier in the week before investors moved funds to safer assets.

Trump’s Influence on Crypto:

Despite once calling crypto a "scam", Trump now supports Bitcoin, promising to make the US a crypto hub.

He launched $TRUMP and Melania Trump introduced $MELANIA, both of which lost value quickly.

SEC lawsuit against Coinbase dropped, signaling regulatory easing under Trump.

Market Outlook:

With ongoing trade tensions, regulatory shifts, and security concerns, Bitcoin’s recovery remains uncertain. 

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has demanded that her Senate probe be aired live, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve full transparency in the process.

Referred to the Senate’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee after a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements, Akpoti-Uduaghan stated she is prepared to face the panel but insists the proceedings must not be held behind closed doors.

In a statement on her Facebook page on Thursday, she noted that she had previously refrained from commenting on Senate matters but now feels compelled to speak out.

She urged Nigerians to closely follow the probe, assuring that she would advocate for complete openness.

Bose Ogulu, mother and manager of Nigerian singer Burna Boy, has been nominated for Manager of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards.

The prestigious awards ceremony is set to take place in London, United Kingdom, on May 8, 2025. The organizers announced the nomination on Wednesday, February 26.

Ogulu will compete for the award alongside other top industry managers, including Neil Hughes, Alistair Goldsmith, and Wes Banton.

Notably, she previously won Manager of the Year at the 2022 Artist & Manager Awards in London. 

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called on external solicitors to assist in recovering assets from closed banks. NDIC Managing Director, Dr. Bello Hassan, made the appeal at a seminar in Abuja, emphasizing the role of asset recovery in settling uninsured deposits, contractor claims, and liquidation dividends.

He cited the collapse of Heritage Bank, highlighting the complexities of bank liquidation and the need for legal expertise. He stressed that NDIC plays a dual role in litigation, representing depositors and creditors while pursuing debt recovery.

Dr. Hassan reaffirmed that legal support is crucial to fulfilling NDIC’s mandate, particularly in orderly bank liquidation. He praised external solicitors for their efforts, noting that their contributions have improved legal diligence, judicial decisions, and public awareness of deposit insurance in Nigeria. 

Stakeholders have emphasized the need for sustained efforts, collaboration, and ethical conduct in tackling corruption in Nigeria.

At the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room in Abuja, EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, and NELFUND Managing Director Akintunde Sawyerr called for a unified approach to fighting corruption at both national and subnational levels.

Olukoyede stressed that governance should be a responsibility, not a means of amassing wealth, attributing high levels of public sector corruption to this mindset. He urged citizens to refrain from defending corrupt individuals and instead support anti-corruption agencies.

ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu outlined a three-pronged strategy for combating corruption: enforcement, prevention, and public awareness, while Sawyerr highlighted the importance of technology in reducing corruption risks.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, called for greater public involvement in the fight against corruption, urging EFCC to mobilize workers, intellectuals, and youth to demand accountability.

Meanwhile, HEDA Chairman Olanrewaju Suraju stressed that Nigeria’s major challenge is not a lack of laws but the political will to implement them effectively. 

Some Lagos State lawmakers have reiterated their stance against the return of embattled former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.  

While moving around the Assembly premises to assert their presence, the lawmakers, speaking through the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Security, and Strategy, Steven Ogundipe, urged party leaders to clearly communicate their position on the situation and how it should be resolved.  

Despite their appeal for guidance, the lawmakers firmly maintained that they no longer want Obasa as Speaker.  

Meanwhile, Obasa, who arrived shortly after the lawmakers had left, insisted that he remains the legitimate Speaker. He added that while he has no objection to being removed, the impeachment process must be conducted lawfully and correctly. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned the public about fraudsters using its logo and name to operate fake TikTok accounts aimed at deceiving unsuspecting individuals.

According to the EFCC, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, these fraudsters hosted a live session on TikTok to attract traffic and defraud users. They reportedly managed six fake accounts, falsely presenting them as official EFCC handles. Some of the fraudulent account names include:

EFCC of Nigeria

EFCC Lagos

EFCC Delta

EFCC of Benin

EFCC of Jos

EFCC Saga

The Commission has clarified that it does not have an official TikTok account and has urged the public to disregard any EFCC-affiliated accounts on the platform. 

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced that aspirants seeking to contest in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State will be required to pay N30 million for the nomination and expression of interest forms.

This was revealed in a statement by APGA’s National Organising Secretary, Ifeanyi Mbaeri, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mbaeri also released the primary election timetable, stating that the party’s special state congress and governorship primary election is scheduled for April 5.

As part of its inclusivity measures, APGA has approved a 5% discount on the nomination form for female aspirants and persons with disabilities.

Key Dates:

Form Sales: Begins Friday, February 28, and ends March 20

Screening of Aspirants: March 28 at APGA National Headquarters, Abuja

Mbaeri added that the party leadership reserves the right to adjust the schedule if necessary. 

By Onyinyechi Nwankwo.

Not less than 600 under-25 athletes drawn from the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State will be representing the State at the Maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), billed to hold on 1st to 8th April 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The festival being organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in partnership with Dunanis Icon Limited, as consultant, will be bringing together over 3,000 athletes, 600 coaches and 300 media practitioners from the nine NDDC mandate states, which are Imo, Abia, Rivers, Edo, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross river, Ondo and Delta. 

During a world press conference at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Sports and Chairman of Imo State Liaison Committee, which serves as the State's Local Organizing Committee, Hon. Obinna Evaristus Onyeocha, hinted that the festival aims to promote talent discovery, human capital development and sports infrastructure in the region.

Onyeocha added that this laudable talent discovery project of the NDDC is aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative and the vision of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s 3R Agenda for sports development.

Onyeocha noted that the selected athletes will be competing in the 17 featured sports including athletics, football, handball, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, swimming, weightlifting, table tennis, tennis, boxing, canoeing, cheese, scrabble, para-athletics, para-powerlifting and traditional wrestling. 

While encouraging eligible athletes to take advantage of the opportunity and register for the festival which closes on 7th of March, Onyeocha informed that the state trials is scheduled for Tuesday, March, 4, 2025, at Dan Anyiam Stadium. 

"Coaches from the 27 LGAs of Imo State, with their athletes, are requested to be at the Owerri Stadium before 9.00am that day.

"The Imo State's Open Camp Begins On 17th March to 23rd, 2025 at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, while the Closed Camp begins on 24th till decamping on the 30th of April, 2025, thereafter departure to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, follows on the 1st of April, 2025." Onyeocha declared. 

The number one sportsman in Imo, seized the opportunity to thank Governor Hope Uzodimma, who he described as Imo true father and leader for his immense support towards sports development.

Other members of the SLO including Hon. Willie T. C Okolieogwo, SA to the State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Secretary to the SOC and Dunanis representative also appreciated the Governor for backing the initiative, assuring to put in their best to make him and the entire state proud by bringing home from the sports festival the gold medal. 

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised concerns over the growing presence of foreign fraud syndicates in Nigerian cities, where they are recruiting youths into organized cybercrime, including cryptocurrency fraud.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, noting that Olukoyede made the revelation while addressing participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) on Wednesday.

Olukoyede expressed alarm over how insurgents and criminal groups have sustained their operations in Nigeria, citing the influx of small arms, illegal mineral exploitation, and the activities of non-state actors as compounding security threats.

“A recent and alarming discovery is that organized foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities, recruiting young Nigerians into cybercrime, including cryptocurrency fraud,” he said.

According to him, investigations suggest that these groups may also be involved in smuggling arms into the country, using cryptocurrency as a means of payment.

During a recent special operation in Lagos, the EFCC arrested 194 foreigners in a building on Victoria Island. “The suspects included Chinese, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, and Tunisians. Some lacked valid visas, and most of their financial transactions were conducted through cryptocurrency,” he revealed.

The commission also found that several of those arrested were ex-convicts in their home countries who had fled to Africa, establishing criminal cells across the continent.

Olukoyede called for stronger national and continental efforts to tackle internet fraud, emphasizing the need for security agencies to collaborate in addressing money laundering and threats to national security.

Earlier, NISS Commandant Joseph Odama, represented by Director of Studies Hyginus Ngele, commended Olukoyede’s leadership of the EFCC. He noted that the commission’s achievements in combating corruption and financial crimes had strengthened Nigeria’s global reputation.

Odama also acknowledged the EFCC’s role in exposing financial networks that fund hostile non-state actors, fueling instability in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. He urged deeper collaboration in strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to combat such threats while ensuring transparency and accountability.