IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Senator Austin Akobundu, representing Abia Central, has called for calm and urged residents of Ariam Eleuelu in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State and Obot Akara in Akwa Ibom State to halt hostilities and embrace peace.

The appeal comes after the latest round of violence in the ongoing border dispute resulted in one death and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.

Akobundu pledged to raise the issue with Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, whose Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district covers Obot Akara LGA. He assured his constituents that he would take the matter to the Senate to push for swift action in resolving the crisis and restoring peace to the affected areas.

The senator called on all parties involved to consider themselves as one and live in peace, emphasizing unity and cooperation between the communities.

He also promised to collaborate with relevant government agencies to restore normalcy in the region. Akobundu praised the prompt response of the Mayor of Ikwuano, Anthony Nzeribe Nwaubani, who mobilized security forces to address the situation quickly.

Expressing his condolences for the victim of the clash, Akobundu extended his solidarity to the bereaved family and urged both the Abia and Akwa Ibom state governments to work toward lasting peace.

Abia State Police spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the clash but reassured that security forces had restored calm to the area. Akobundu’s media officer, Jude Ndukwe, also confirmed that the senator would work with Akpabio to secure lasting peace. 

The World Health Organization’s chief hit back Monday at US President Donald Trump’s reasons for pulling the United States out of the WHO — and again urged Washington to reconsider.

The United States is by far the WHO’s biggest donor and its withdrawal will leave a major hole in the organisation’s budget and its ability to respond to global public health threats.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus went through, in turn, the reasons given by Trump’s executive order to withdraw from the organisation, signed within hours of his return to office on January 20, and outlined what the UN health agency was doing in each field.

“We regret the decision and we hope the US will reconsider,” Tedros told the opening of the WHO’s executive board meeting. 

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to sign France Under-21s forward Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich. The structure of the transfer is yet to be confirmed - and it is unclear if it will be a permanent or loan deal. The 19-year-old reportedly rejected Spurs earlier this month but is now expected to move to north London.

A picture was posted by his agent Gadiri Camara on Monday appearing to show them both on board a private jet. Tottenham beat Brentford 2-0 on Sunday at Gtech Community Stadium for their first league win in eight Premier League matches. Ange Postecoglou's side sit 14th in the table but are in the last 16 of the Europa League and the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

On Thursday, Tottenham play the second leg of their semi-final at Liverpool after Spurs won the first leg 1-0. If the Tel deal is completed, it would be the club's second in two days after they announced the signing of Austria defender Kevin Danso on loan from Ligue 1 club Lens on Sunday.

Tel had been linked with a move to Manchester United, but European football expert Julien Laurens said Postecoglou urged the striker to opt for Spurs instead. "Ange Postecoglou spoke with Mathys Tel at length earlier today and convinced him to come to Tottenham," said Laurens. "Huge role played by the Spurs manager to get one of the most coveted youngsters in Europe." 

Conservative leader Bart De Wever was sworn in on Monday as Belgium’s new prime minister, following a hard-fought coalition deal that marks a significant rightward shift in the country’s politics.

After seven months of negotiations, De Wever became the first nationalist from Dutch-speaking Flanders to hold the position. His coalition has pledged stricter measures on irregular migration, reinforcing his law-and-order stance.

The 54-year-old, who has moderated his previous calls for Flanders’ independence, took the oath of office before King Philippe in Brussels before heading to an EU leaders' meeting on defense and transatlantic relations.

De Wever reaffirmed Belgium’s commitment to increasing its defense spending to NATO’s two-percent GDP target, up from the current 1.3 percent, stating that Europe had been complacent on security matters and that Russian President Vladimir Putin had “woken us up.”

Amid trade tariff threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump and pressure for increased military spending, De Wever stressed the importance of maintaining strong EU-U.S. ties.

His N-VA party is aligned with the hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, which includes parties led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Czech leader Petr Fiala. The ECR now has three prime ministers in the European Council and participates in the governments of seven countries.

Hard-right parties have gained traction in Europe, performing strongly in last year’s European Parliament elections and recent national and regional polls in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. 

To address the ongoing energy crisis, the European Union has announced a partnership with the Plateau State government to explore small hydropower generation.

The Head of Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz, revealed this on Monday during an assessment visit to Assop Falls, a site estimated to have the potential to generate around 2MW of electricity.

Stefanowicz emphasized the EU’s collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Power to diversify electricity generation by incorporating small hydropower solutions. This initiative aims to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy for Plateau State, supporting agro-processing activities and economic growth.

She also stated that the EU is working with the state government and relevant stakeholders to assess the technical, financial, and environmental feasibility of the project.

Managing Director of the Plateau State Energy Corporation, Ponzing Gamde, disclosed that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), which is overseeing the project on behalf of the EU, is conducting a feasibility study. "Preliminary data collection has been completed, and a design plan is underway to determine the site’s full energy capacity," he noted.

Gamde further highlighted the broader impact of the project, stating that improved electricity supply would enhance cultural activities and prevent disruptions caused by power shortages.

A Plateau State House of Assembly member, Owen Dagogot, expressed strong support, stating that the site would be fully utilized to maximize its benefits.

Director of Technical Services at the Plateau State Energy Corporation, Sam Yakubu, noted that while hydropower projects typically take time, this one could be completed within two to three years due to the site’s favorable layout.

A representative of the Federal Ministry of Power, Dina Temitope, emphasized the project’s alignment with Nigeria’s Vision 30:30, which aims to generate 30 gigawatts of electricity by 2030, with 30% derived from renewable sources.

EU Programme Manager for Energy and Circular Economy, Godfrey Ogbemudia, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring that the investment delivers long-term benefits.

Meanwhile, GIZ’s Head of Sustainable Energy Access, Eckhard Heine, stressed the importance of collaboration with Nigeria’s electricity regulatory authorities to effectively implement the project.

Technical Adviser at GIZ, Alexander Akolo, added that Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang recently enacted a State Electricity Law, which could be further refined with additional support, including the development of a mini-grid policy. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a bill establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology in Ogoni, Rivers State.

The announcement was made on Monday by Bwala Daniel, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, who stated that the decision aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to address past inequalities and promote inclusive national development.

Daniel also noted that the move follows the recent approval of a federal university in Southern Kaduna. He emphasized Tinubu’s commitment to national unity, reaffirming that no ethnic group is considered a minority in Nigeria.

The decision was widely welcomed, with Daniel highlighting that the new university reflects the administration’s dedication to fostering education, development, and national integration.