Ekaette Akpabio’s response to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s serious allegations of sexual harassment against her husband, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, dismisses the claims as “a figment of wild imagination.” In her statement, Mrs. Akpabio also highlighted the long-standing cordial relationship between the two families, mentioning that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was even present at the Akpabio family residence on the date the alleged incident supposedly occurred.

Mrs. Akpabio emphasized her husband’s character, praising his discipline and respect for his family. She also defended his track record of supporting women’s inclusion in government, which she views as evidence of his respect for women. She expressed her intent to take legal action against the allegations, calling on women to avoid spreading false accusations.

This situation is clearly very sensitive, as it involves serious allegations of harassment and involves high-profile individuals in Nigerian politics. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold, but with both sides strongly asserting their positions, it is likely to attract significant public and legal attention.

How do you think this situation will impact the political climate in Nigeria, especially given the high stakes involving figures like the Senate President?

French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments about leaving the United States with “very little hope” on tariff progress highlight the growing tensions between the US and the EU on trade issues. Macron’s concern about tariffs being inflationary aligns with European economic thinking, as trade barriers tend to increase the cost of goods, ultimately burdening consumers and businesses alike.

His warning that Europeans would respond to US tariffs on aluminum and steel suggests that the EU is preparing for a tit-for-tat approach, which could further escalate trade tensions. The mention of President Trump’s 25% tariff on European cars adds an even more significant pressure point, considering the importance of the automotive industry in Europe.

Macron also emphasized that there are issues and misunderstandings in the Trump administration’s commercial approach, which reflects a larger frustration in Europe with what many view as a protectionist and unilateral approach to trade.

Given this backdrop, it’s uncertain whether the situation will improve through diplomacy or lead to more retaliatory measures. There’s certainly room for negotiation, but it seems like the gap between the US and the EU on trade issues remains wide.

Russian forces launched mass strikes on energy infrastructure targets in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine late Thursday. Oleh Syniehubov, the regional governor, reported on Telegram that Ukraine’s air defenses were heavily engaged in repelling these attacks, and emergency services were already on the scene. However, Syniehubov provided few specifics on the exact nature of the targets and urged residents to avoid disclosing any further details.

The strikes resulted in at least one injury in the town of Balakliya, located southeast of Kharkiv, where a man was injured in a Russian attack. Additionally, Ukraine’s Air Force reported ongoing threats of attacks using glide bombs and drones across various parts of the region.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, notably resisted Russian forces during the early stages of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Since then, the city and the surrounding region have been frequent targets for Russian airstrikes, with both military and energy infrastructure being targeted in efforts to disrupt Ukraine’s operations.

The recent escalation underscores the continuing conflict in the region, with Russian forces seeking to intensify pressure on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

The Borno State Internal Revenue Service (BOIRS) has achieved a remarkable revenue collection of N28.3 billion in 2024, surpassing its initial target of N19.3 billion by an impressive 46 percent. This milestone was announced during a press briefing in Maiduguri, where the Executive Chairman of BOIRS, Prof. Bello Alhaji Ibrahim, credited the success to a combination of effective strategies.

Key factors driving this achievement included strong support from Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, effective public sensitization campaigns, the digitization of tax collection, and the harmonization of taxes to eliminate the issue of multiple tax collectors targeting the same businesses. Prof. Ibrahim also acknowledged the reforms, including the introduction of a gradual payment system and a robust invoicing mechanism, which helped improve accountability in tax collection.

Despite the success, the agency faced challenges such as resistance from local governments regarding the harmonization initiative, the impact of flood disasters on businesses, and a decrease in revenue collections from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Looking forward, BOIRS has set an ambitious revenue target of N35 billion for 2025, surpassing the state government’s initial expectation of N25 billion. However, Prof. Ibrahim reassured taxpayers that there would be no additional financial burden placed on them, and all funds collected would be directed towards the development of Borno State, benefiting its people.

The letter you mentioned from the former U.S. defense secretaries expresses strong concerns over President Trump’s actions in firing high-ranking military leaders, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These former officials, including James Mattis, William Perry, Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, and Lloyd Austin, argue that the firings are part of a troubling pattern of politicizing the military, which they believe undermines the apolitical nature of the U.S. military and poses a threat to national security.

The signatories are particularly concerned about the dismissals being driven by partisan motivations rather than military competence or national security needs. They argue that the actions could weaken the military’s cohesion and its ability to function effectively, especially by removing key figures who provide legal and strategic counsel to the president. They also point to the removal of Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to lead a military service, and General C.Q. Brown, a significant figure in terms of racial representation within the military, as indicative of the broader implications of these decisions.

The letter calls on Congress to block any confirmation of their successors, suggesting that these firings should not be allowed to go unchallenged. As of now, the White House has not publicly responded to the letter. The situation raises significant questions about the relationship between the military and politics, particularly in a period of political division in the U.S.

US President Donald Trump has announced that an additional 10% tariff will be imposed on Chinese imports starting March 4, 2025. This follows earlier tariff measures introduced in February, where the Trump administration had already levied a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. In retaliation, China had imposed tariffs on various American imports, including crude oil, agricultural machinery, and liquefied natural gas, among others.

In his announcement on Thursday, Trump emphasized that the additional tariffs are part of a broader effort to hold China accountable for its role in the drug trade, particularly the illegal trafficking of fentanyl and other substances into the United States from Mexico and Canada. He pointed out that a significant portion of the drugs, which have led to over 100,000 deaths in the past year alone, originate from China.

Trump described the drug crisis as “unacceptable” and devastating to American families, noting that millions of people have died over the past two decades due to drug-related issues. He stated that the tariffs would remain in effect until China takes more significant actions to limit the flow of these dangerous substances into the U.S.

Additionally, Trump affirmed that the previously scheduled Reciprocal Tariff for April 2 will remain unchanged. He concluded with a call for stronger action on the issue, thanking Americans for their attention and emphasizing the continued strength of the U.S. response.

The Federal Government, through the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), has vowed to take decisive action against oil spillers and pipeline vandals, regardless of their status in society. Edward Omo-Erewa, the newly appointed Chairman of NOSDRA’s Governing Board, made this commitment during his familiarization visit to the agency in Abuja on Thursday.

Omo-Erewa emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the time had come to hold individuals responsible for causing harm through oil spills, pipeline vandalism, and environmental pollution. He acknowledged that there had been a lack of discipline in the past but assured that things would change under his leadership. He also highlighted a recent incident where tankers spilled oil, promising to pursue those responsible as a sign of the agency’s seriousness in tackling the issue.

In addition to addressing environmental concerns, Omo-Erewa also expressed awareness of the challenges faced by NOSDRA staff, including poor working conditions. He pledged to improve staff welfare and enhance the agency’s overall productivity. Omo-Erewa called for a stronger collaboration between the agency’s management and its board to ensure the agency can successfully carry out its responsibilities.

Chukwuemeka Woke, the Director General of NOSDRA, voiced confidence that Omo-Erewa’s leadership would bring positive changes to the agency, stressing the importance of cooperation between the board and management in fulfilling NOSDRA’s mission.

A two-day strike by ground crew and security staff at Munich Airport, Germany’s second-largest airport, began on Thursday, causing widespread disruption. The strike, organized by the Verdi union, is expected to cancel hundreds of flights. Only about 100 of the 830 scheduled takeoffs and landings will proceed as planned on Thursday.

Verdi is demanding an eight percent pay rise for workers or at least 350 euros more per month, along with higher bonuses for particularly stressful roles and additional days off. The union emphasized that ground and security staff play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and reliability of air traffic under all conditions. The increasing workload and ongoing staff shortages have created significant burdens for employees.

The strike, which will continue until midnight Friday, comes at a busy time for travel, especially ahead of the carnival season in southern Bavaria. Negotiations for the next round of talks are scheduled for March 14.

The strike has also affected other airports in Germany. Workers at Hamburg airport began their strike Thursday night, but the airport has managed to maintain normal flight operations apart from those cancelled flights to Munich. Additionally, workers had previously struck at Cologne/Bonn and Düsseldorf airports on Monday.

Olusegun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria, has urged cocoa farmers in the country to establish strong and unified farmer institutions to achieve food security in Nigeria. During a summit organized by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) to strengthen agricultural institutions, Obasanjo emphasized the importance of farmer associations in fostering a resilient agricultural supply chain.

He challenged the farmers’ leaders to take charge of their future by creating powerful and cohesive associations similar to the Soybean Farmers Association of America, which has historically played a significant role in U.S. political matters. Obasanjo believes that such strong institutions will empower farmers and make food security achievable in the country.

The National President of CFAN, during the summit, highlighted the organization’s role in representing cocoa farmers after the dissolution of the Cocoa Board in 1986. The creation of CFAN aimed to address the exclusion of cocoa farmers from key decision-making processes and to ensure a unified voice for the farmers at all levels of government.

The summit concluded with cocoa farmers coming together to form a consensus association, the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, which will advocate for their interests.