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Umuahia Residents Decry Fuel Price Hike, Warn of Economic Fallout

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In Umuahia, Abia State, the recent surge in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices has sparked significant concern among traders, transport operators, and artisans.

The removal of the fuel subsidy has exacerbated the situation, leading to widespread fears of severe economic repercussions.

During interviews with NAN on Thursday, several locals voiced their frustrations, highlighting how the price increase is straining their businesses and daily lives.

Many expressed that the hike would likely lead to business closures and further economic instability.

Chidubem Okoye, a local trader, reported a noticeable downturn in his business.

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“The price increase has made life increasingly difficult for both traders and customers,” he said.

He noted that his supplier from the North had raised prices due to the higher cost of goods, which will force him to adjust his prices accordingly.

Anayo Udensi, a tricycle operator, is worried that the new fuel price could drive him out of business.

He explained that the cost of fuel, which has now risen to around N1,000 per litre, significantly impacts his daily earnings.

“With fuel consuming most of my daily income, there’s little left after settling the owner of the tricycle,” he lamented.

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He also mentioned that reduced passenger numbers are forcing many to walk to save on transport costs.

Mrs Nkiruka Ejiofor, a hairstylist, shared that the increased cost of running her salon’s generator has made her business less profitable.

She revealed that customers are opting for cheaper services due to higher prices, impacting her earnings.

Andy, a generator repairer, described the fuel price hike as a severe blow to his business.

He noted that fewer people are using generators due to the high cost of fuel, leading to a significant drop in the number of repairs he handles.

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“With the latest price increase, we’re facing even tougher times,” he said.

Civil servant Mrs Priscilla Onyemaechi added that workers are particularly hard-hit by the fuel price surge.

She pointed out that many employees are struggling to afford daily commutes due to rising transportation costs, especially since the minimum wage has not been adjusted to reflect current economic conditions.

The affected individuals are calling for an immediate reversal of the fuel price increase and urging President Bola Tinubu to implement policies to mitigate the hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.


 

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Trump Vows to Restore America’s Greatness and Prioritize Citizens in Inaugural Speech

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Donald Trump has officially taken the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States, marking his return to the White House for a second term after losing in 2020.

The 78-year-old Republican leader was sworn in during a ceremony at the Capitol, surrounded by former presidents, including Joe Biden.

In his inaugural address, Trump wasted no time in declaring that the decline of America was over. He pledged to put Americans first, promising to restore the nation’s greatness.

“The era of America’s decline is over,” he said, vowing to take swift action to reignite hope in the country.

Trump outlined bold plans for his administration, including a series of executive actions aimed at revitalizing the American economy and strengthening national security.

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“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will impose tariffs and taxes on foreign nations to enrich our own people,” Trump declared.

On immigration, Trump made it clear that his administration would take a hard stance. He promised to deport millions of illegal immigrants, particularly those with criminal records, and halt any further illegal entries into the country.

“We will begin the process of sending millions of criminal aliens back to where they came from,” he said.

Also, he assured his supporters that the “golden age” of America had begun, with the priority being the protection and prosperity of its citizens.

“From this day forward, America will flourish,” he concluded.

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Bwala Defends Nigeria After Kemi Badenoch’s Criticism, Calls It Political Strategy

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Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has weighed in on the recent criticism from Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, about Nigeria.

According to Bwala, Badenoch’s remarks were motivated by a desire to secure favor within her party rather than any genuine concern for Nigeria.

Last week, Badenoch made headlines when she expressed her concerns about Nigeria’s governance, warning that Britain could face similar challenges if it failed to reform its system.

She emphasized the importance of trust and touted the Conservative Party as the right choice to prevent the UK from suffering the consequences seen in countries like Nigeria.

In response to these remarks, Bwala appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, dismissing the idea that Badenoch’s comments would harm Nigeria’s international standing or efforts to attract foreign investment.

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“She’s not the government in power, so her comments won’t affect international relations or collaborations,” Bwala explained.

“International dealings usually happen between governments, and since she’s not in power, it won’t have any effect. Also, investors will be wise enough to recognize whether her statements are just political rhetoric.”

“The problem we have with Kemi is her rhetoric,” he continued. “She belongs to the right-wing base in the UK, where populism feeds off anger and discontent.

By denigrating Nigeria, she’s trying to gain support and approval from the right wing of her party.”


 

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Bolaji Akinyemi Advises Tinubu to Avoid Confrontation with Trump

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Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, a renowned political scientist, has urged President Bola Tinubu to be cautious in dealing with the newly inaugurated 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump. Akinyemi shared this advice during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Monday.

“If I were President Tinubu, I would try to avoid provoking him,” Akinyemi said, noting that a bully often seeks out those who are not strong enough to resist.

He referenced an African proverb, advising Tinubu that challenging someone in a position of power without the strength to back it up could lead to more harm.

“Even if Trump’s actions annoy or undermine Nigeria’s interests, there are ways to address them without direct confrontation,” Akinyemi explained.

Reflecting on Trump’s inaugural speech, Akinyemi described it as uninspiring, shocking, and depressing. Instead of promoting peace and unity, Trump’s speech seemed to outline a series of hostile policies.

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He mentioned proposals such as taking back the Panama Canal, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and engaging in tariff wars, all of which, Akinyemi said, set the tone for a more aggressive and isolationist US stance under Trump’s leadership.

Akinyemi, a former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and former Nigerian Minister of External Affairs, predicted that Trump would soon realize that his policies have consequences. “The next four years will be a rough ride for the world,” he warned.

On Nigeria’s relationship with the US under Trump, Akinyemi believes that the country’s priorities will not align with Nigeria’s interests.

“Nigeria will no longer be a focus for the 78-year-old president, and we shouldn’t expect anything extraordinary from his administration,” he said.


 

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