IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, has congratulated Nigerian singer Tems on her victory at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

Tems won the Best African Music Performance award for her song Love Me Jeje, triumphing over other nominees including Yemi Alade’s Tomorrow, Asake & Wizkid’s MMS, Chris Brown’s Sensational (featuring Davido & Lojay), and Burna Boy’s Higher.

In a statement shared on his X handle on Monday, Obi also commended other Nigerian artists who were nominated in various categories, despite not winning.

“I extend my hearty congratulations to our Nigerian Afrobeats star, Tems 

@temsbaby, who just secured her second Grammy Award with her win in the Best African Music Performance category. I also rejoice with Nigeria’s entertainment industry and other Nigerian artists who were nominated for different awards in their respective categories,” the statement read.

Obi emphasized his commitment to building a nation that encourages youth growth and helps them harness their talents for national development. 

US President Donald Trump has accused South Africa of "confiscating" land and mistreating certain groups of people, announcing he will cut all future funding to the country until an investigation is conducted.

The land issue in South Africa remains contentious, with efforts to address the inequality of land ownership under apartheid drawing criticism from conservatives, including Elon Musk, a South African-born billionaire and Trump adviser.

Last month, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a bill allowing the government to expropriate land with “nil compensation” under specific conditions. While the South African government maintains the bill doesn't authorize arbitrary expropriation, some fear it could lead to a situation similar to Zimbabwe's land seizures after its independence in 1980.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “South Africa is confiscating land, and treating certain classes of people VERY BADLY,” adding that he would suspend future funding until the situation is thoroughly investigated.

In a press briefing, Trump further criticized South Africa’s leadership, describing their actions as “terrible” and “horrible,” without providing specific examples. He warned that South Africa might be engaging in actions "far worse" than land confiscation.

Land ownership remains a sensitive issue in South Africa, with most farmland still owned by white individuals decades after apartheid ended. The South African government attributes the historical inequities to the 1913 Natives Land Act, which forcibly removed thousands of Black families from their land.

The matter has drawn attention from right-wing figures, including Musk, who have expressed concern over the potential consequences for white landowners. Musk and other conservative voices have supported a movement to protect white land ownership in South Africa.

Trump’s inner circle includes prominent figures who were raised in apartheid-era southern Africa, such as David Sacks and Peter Thiel, both of whom have ties to Silicon Valley and the PayPal co-founder network. 

The Nigerian government is set to meet with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday to discuss the planned nationwide protest against the 50 percent increase in telecommunications tariffs.

A reliable source revealed that the meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m., will focus on resolving concerns raised by the NLC and its allies regarding the tariff hike, which they strongly oppose.

The government plans to address the matter in an inter-ministerial meeting led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to resolve issues affecting Nigerian workers. The NLC has already mobilized for a mass protest on Tuesday, February 4, against the tariff increase approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on January 20, 2025.

The NLC’s General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, had earlier called for mass mobilization to send a strong message to the government. Telecom subscribers, led by Adeolu Ogunbanjo, have also threatened legal action against the tariff hike, arguing that any increase should be capped at 10 percent due to the existing economic hardship in the country.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has cited global inflation as the reason behind the 50 percent hike.

Tragedy struck in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Saturday as unknown assailants murdered three siblings—a five-year-old boy and two girls aged seven and nine.

Reports indicate that the attackers entered the family’s home while the children were eating, killed them, and placed their bodies inside a deep freezer.

Eyewitnesses said their mother, Chikazor Ejezie, a lecturer and nurse, was away for an examination, while their father, who works in Edo State, was also absent when the attack occurred.

Upon returning home, the mother noticed the door was wide open, which was unusual. After a frantic search, their bodies were discovered in the freezer.

The grieving father, Ejezie Udochukwu, recounted how the children were initially searched for at church before their bodies were found at home. The family lives in a bungalow shared with two tenants and a landlord.

The police have launched an investigation, with the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, transferring the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka.

Residents of Nnewichi have called for justice, urging authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, recently met with a high-level JP Morgan delegation to discuss investment opportunities in Nigeria.

According to a statement from the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, the delegation was led by Dapo Olagunju, Head of JP Morgan West Africa.

The meeting, held in Abuja, was part of JP Morgan’s fact-finding mission to assess Nigeria’s economic landscape and explore potential investments. The delegation included major investors with significant stakes in Nigeria’s Eurobonds and local securities.

During the discussions, Edun highlighted Nigeria’s economic progress, citing a successful Eurobond transaction completed without a roadshow due to strong global investor confidence. He also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to attracting foreign investment through strategic international engagements and market-driven reforms.

The Minister outlined key developments in the energy sector, including agreements with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand electricity access to 400,000 Nigerians initially.

Addressing inflation concerns, Edun assured investors that the Central Bank of Nigeria is implementing orthodox monetary policies, while the government focuses on boosting agricultural production and stabilizing food prices. 

Former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales will go on trial Monday for forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 Women’s World Cup medal ceremony. Prosecutors seek a 2.5-year prison sentence—one year for sexual assault and 18 months for allegedly pressuring Hermoso to downplay the incident.

The trial, running until February 19, will be held at the National Court near Madrid, with Rubiales set to testify on February 12. He denies wrongdoing, calling the kiss a harmless celebration.

Alongside Rubiales, former women’s team coach Jorge Vilda and two ex-federation officials face charges of coercion, with prosecutors seeking 18-month jail terms for them.

The scandal, which erupted after Spain’s World Cup victory, led to Rubiales’ resignation in September 2023. A Netflix documentary revealed that Hermoso was pressured to portray the kiss as a moment of joy.