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  • US pauses higher tariffs for 90 days, hits China harder with new 125% tariff

    US pauses higher tariffs for 90 days, hits China harder with new 125% tariff

    President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause for countries hit by higher US tariffs but a trade war with China has escalated.

    In a dramatic change of policy, just hours after levies against roughly 60 of America’s trading partners kicked in, Trump said he was authorising a universal “lowered reciprocal tariff of 10%” as negotiations continued.

    At the same time he increased tariffs on goods from China to 125%, accusing Beijing of a “lack of respect” after it retaliated by saying it would impose tariffs of 84% on US imports.

    This comes a week after Trump announced import taxes on all goods entering the US, in the biggest upheaval of international trade in decades.

    His plan set a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports – which remains in place – but also higher rates on partners the White House described as the “worst offenders” for what the president considers to be unfair trade practices.

    This included the 27-member European Union, Vietnam, South Africa and many more – all of which were due to be on the receiving end of US tariffs ranging from 11% to more than 100%.

    Major market turmoil followed Trump’s announcement last week, with sell-offs sparking trillions in losses across the world, many Americans fearing price rises and some analysts predicting increased odds of recession.

    On Wednesday, before Trump said he would suspend the higher tariffs on goods from countries other than China, the US government saw interest rates on its debt spike to 4.5% – the highest level since February.

    Hours later, when the change was announced, US shares rocketed with the S&P 500 soaring 7% in afternoon trading. It later closed the day’s trading up 9.5%, while the Dow Jones surged by 7.8%.

    Announcing the latest iteration of his plan on Truth Social, Trump said he was authorising a 90-day pause on tariffs for the countries that had not retaliated against his levies.

    The additional tariff on Beijing, he said, would be effective immediately. “At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realise that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” he wrote.

    US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent insisted the change of policy had not been influenced by the global falls, but senior Democrat Chuck Schumer said the decision showed Trump was “reeling and retreating”.

    Speaking outside the White House, Trump later said the amendments to his tariffs policy had “had to be done” because people were “getting yippy”.

    “I did a 90-day pause for the people that didn’t retaliate because I told them ‘if you retaliate, we’re going to double it’ – and that’s what I did with China,” he said, adding that he thought, “It’s all going to work out amazing.”

    He also said he thought Chinese President Xi Jinping was “going to want to get to a deal”.

    In the UK, which was not affected by the changes as it was already on the list of countries receiving the baseline 10% tariff, a No 10 spokeswoman said a “trade war is in nobody’s interests”.

    A source also said the developments in Washington showed “cool and calm can pay off”.

    The ongoing stand-off between China and the US – the world’s two biggest economies – began when Trump announced new tariffs last week.

    China was hit with an additional 34% tariff, on top of a 20% levy the president had put in place earlier this year. However, Beijing was quick to retaliate with a 34% tariff on US imports to China.

    In response, Trump threatened an additional 50%, bringing the total to 104% on Tuesday, if Beijing did not back down. China did not change course and said it would “fight to the end” if the US “insists on provoking a tariff war or trade war”.

    Just hours after the 104% tariffs from the US kicked in earlier, Beijing announced it would raise its own tariffs on American goods from 34% to 84% from Thursday.

    China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday the US “continues to impose tariffs on China in an abusive manner”.

    He said China opposes such “bullying practices” and the US must show “an attitude of equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity” if it hopes to resolve issues through negotiation.

    The deteriorating relationship between the two nations could see their goods trade fall as much as 80% – a $466bn (£363bn) drop, according to World Trade Organization forecasts.

    “Our assessments, informed by the latest developments, highlight the substantial risks associated with further escalation,” Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, head of the WTO, said.

    Away from China, Trump’s latest plans have not affected other recently-announced tariffs already in play.

    These include the 25% import taxes on cars and car parts coming into the US, which came into effect on 2 April, and a further 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports.

    Earlier on Wednesday, the European Union approved a first set of retaliatory tariffs against the US, due to take effect on 15 April. The bloc, on Trump’s “worst offender” trading partner list, had been due to receive customised tariffs of 20%.

    But because the EU’s retaliatory tariffs had not yet gone into effect, the White House included it on the list of countries to be capped at 10%.

    Meanwhile, the so-called baseline rate never applied to Canada and Mexico – key trading partners of the US – and a White House official has said neither is in line to receive the 10% baseline tariff now. BBC

  • After Trump’s new 104% tarrif, China hits back with 84% tarrif on US goods

    After Trump’s new 104% tarrif, China hits back with 84% tarrif on US goods

    After Trump’s new 104% tarrif on China, hits back with 84% tarrif at on US goods

    China hit back at U.S. President Donald Trump singling out the world’s second-largest economy for tariffs of more than 100% by raising additional duties on American products to 84% on Wednesday, deepening the trade war between the two superpowers.

    Beijing also imposed restrictions on 18 U.S. companies, mostly in defence-related industries, adding to the 60 or so American firms punished over Trump’s tariffs.

    The move comes after Trump made good on his threat to impose an additional 50% tariff on China unless it withdrew its retaliatory levies on the United States, taking total new U.S. duties on Chinese goods this year to 104%.

    Beijing announced in response it would also raise its levies on U.S. goods by 50%, adding to the 34% increase previously announced and due to be implemented on Thursday.

    “The U.S. escalation of tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake, which seriously infringes of China’s legitimate rights and interests and seriously undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system,” China’s finance ministry said in a statement.

    Trump has imposed “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of economies he accuses of “ripping off” the U.S. by selling goods into the world’s largest consumer economy while maintaining trade barriers that inhibit U.S. firms’ market access.

    But he has singled out China for the most punishing taxes, setting the stage for a standoff between the world’s top two economies.

    Earlier on Wednesday, China released a white paper on U.S.-China commercial ties in which it called the trade gap between the world’s top two economies “inevitable”.

    “China does not deliberately pursue a trade surplus,” said the report, which was released by the State Council Information Office shortly after the higher U.S. tariffs took effect.

    “The trade imbalance in goods between China and the U.S. is both an inevitable result of structural issues in the U.S. economy and a consequence of the comparative advantages and international division of labour between the two countries,” the report added.

    TRADE SURPLUS

    China’s trade surplus with the U.S. widened to $295.4 billion last year from $279.1 billion in 2023, according to U.S. Census data. The goods trade gap peaked in 2018 at $418 billion, the same year Trump, in his first term as president, imposed tariffs on Chinese outbound shipments.

    The first U.S.-China trade war concluded with Beijing agreeing to a “Phase 1” trade deal with Washington in 2020 in which it agreed to increase purchases of U.S. exports by $200 billion over a two-year period.

    Beijing failed to meet its targets when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, but said in its white paper that it had “scrupulously fulfilled its obligations” by taking steps to boost its purchases of U.S. goods and accused Washington of having reneged on the deal.

     

     

    “The US has systematically escalated economic and other forms of pressure against China, the report said. “Concurrently, the U.S. has promoted false narratives related to human rights, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang and the pandemic.”

    China also talked up its efforts to boost its trade in services with the U.S., economic activity that the Trump administration has not factored into its “reciprocal” duties.

    “The U.S. stands as the largest source of China’s deficit in service trade, with the deficit generally exhibiting an upward trend,” the white paper said.

    WAR OF ATTRITION

    China is bracing for an economic war of attrition as it tries to court other markets in Asia, Europe and the world. But other countries have much smaller markets than America and are also taking a hit from the tariffs.

    During Trump’s first term, China frustrated U.S. financial and professional services firms by holding up licence applications and carrying out office raids.

    But Beijing cannot dip into the same playbook this time as it is trying to attract fresh foreign investment to bolster its economic recovery.

    Still, Chinese policymakers are backing themselves to go toe-to-toe with the Trump administration a second time.

    “If the U.S. insists on escalating trade restrictions, China has both the determination and the means to respond forcefully – and will do so,” a commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement accompanying the white paper’s launch.

    “There are no winners in a trade war. China does not want one, but the government will never allow the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people to be harmed or taken away.”

    Ordinary Chinese people have started to voice their concern.

    “The situation has already reached a blatant financial and trade war on the global stage,” said Ling Wanhua, a 20-year-old Shanghai resident. “It’s already hard for college graduates to find jobs. If the overall environment gets worse, the employment situation for graduates will be even worse.”

    Reuters reported China’s top leaders planned to convene a meeting as early as Wednesday to discuss measures to boost the economy and stabilise the capital markets.

    “I think the 104% tariffs are kind of exaggerated,” said Wu Lina, a 68-year-old tourist holidaying in Shanghai. “This president, the way this country treats China, oh my God, it will definitely cause some harm.” Reuters

  • FG denies report of proposal to extend NYSC service year

    FG denies report of proposal to extend NYSC service year

    …Education Minister says he proposed establishing teachers corps 

    Education Minister  Tunji Alausa has denied reports that he advocated the extension  National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) service year from one to two years.

    ‘’I didn’t say NYSC should be extended for two years,” Alausa said while delivering the 28th convocation lecture of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo yesterday.

    He explained that what he proposed was the formation of a teacher corps with NYSC as the anchor to address the dearth of teachers in rural areas and bridge unemployment gap in the country.

    The convocation lecture was entitled: “Patriotism, Citizenship, and National Ownership: The Imperative of Collective Responsibility for Nigeria’s Future.”

    His words: ‘’My proposal to NYSC  was that it should look into the possibility of forming teacher corps. It’s been done in other parts of the world.   Let’s form a teacher corps, which NYSC can anchor.

    “ Teacher corps will engage, voluntarily, in an optional way, teachers to go serve in rural communities for two years and pay them. Even if they’re being paid NYSC service wages. It’s not enough.”

    The minister explained that his suggestion was informed by the fact that the nation has many well–trained but unemployed National Certificate of Education(NCE) holders.

    ‘’Today, we have more supply of NCE teachers who are well-trained but have no jobs.  In  the  rural areas, there are no teachers to teach Mathematics, English and  Sciences.’’

    He also restated the Federal Government’s plan to launch a $10 million youth entrepreneurship venture capital grant for youths in the universities.

    The minister also restated government’s plans for a N110 billion intervention for medical schools and infrastructure upgrade of Unity Schools at a cost of    N80 billion.

    All Progressives Congress(APC) National Chairman   Abdullahi Ganduje, who chaired the event, said   President Bola Tinubu’s plan to establish skill acquisition centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country would make graduates self-reliant.

    LASU Vice-Chancellor Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello praised the President and Alausa for directing the return of History teaching to schools.

  • Rivers: Sole Administrator approves appointment of administrators for 23 LGs

    Rivers: Sole Administrator approves appointment of administrators for 23 LGs

    Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) has approved the appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

    This comes less that 24 hours after a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt reportedly restrained him from appointing administrators to oversea the affairs of the local government councils.

    The order was issued by Justice Adam Muhammed on Tuesday in suit no. FHC/PH/CS/46/2025 in the case filed by PILEX Centre for Civic Education Initiative led by Courage Msirimovu against the Sole Administrator in his official capacity.

    However, Ibas also approved the constitution of some boards of agencies, commissions and parastatals which he had earlier suspended.

    The approval was contained in a Special Government Announcement issued on Wednesday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Worika.

    Though the names of the new appointees were not listed, the statement said the appointments takes immediate effect.

    It reads, “His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, has approved the appointments of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

    “He has also approved the reconstitution of some boards of agencies, commissions, and parastatals, earlier suspended.

    “All appointments take effect from Monday, the 7th of April 2025.”

    Recall that last week, the sole administrator had suspended all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state with immediate effect.

    In a seperate development, Ibas also cancelled all pending procurement and tender processes carried out by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state.

    He said the cancellation became necessary following the Supreme Court judgment and the absence of an appropriation law within the period.

    The sole administrator according to a previous statement also issued by the SSG, directed all MDAs that carried out such tender processes for projects in their respective offices to refund such fees to the respective contractors immediately. Punch

  • FG to generate $20b yearly from space economy – Uche Nnaji

    FG to generate $20b yearly from space economy – Uche Nnaji

    The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji yesterday said that the government plans is to generate $20billion annually from the Nigeria space economy by leveraging on the newly launched space security platform and comprehensive regulatory reforms.

    The minister disclosed this at the launch of National Space Research and Development Agency Stakeholders Workshop 2025 and the sensitisation and engagement of stakeholders on commencement of space regulations, spectrum management and licensing in Abuja.

    The minister also unveiled the government’s strategic plans to capitalize on space technologies for national revenue generation, particularly in key sectors like oil monitoring and maritime surveillance.

    He said: “With space-based surveillance, Nigeria can detect vessels entering Nigerian waters—even those that switch off their transponders to evade detection will be tracked, it will also ensure compliance and collect the appropriate fees.

    “Nigeria’s space economy is no longer a futuristic dream but a present-day economic lever. Space is no longer the domain of dreamers alone—it is now the frontier of serious business, innovation, and national security. Our task is clear, to establish a transparent, well-regulated ecosystem where public and private actors from startups to established institutions can thrive.”

    Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Matthew Adepoju, echoed the minister’s sentiments, highlighting the economic, security, and youth empowerment potential of the sector.

    He added that Nigeria must remain a forward-thinking nation and must ensure that space activities within the nation’s jurisdiction are properly regulated, commercially optimized, and aligned with international best practices. Nigeria can generate about $20billion annually from space-related activities, with potential growth rates of 18–20 per cent per year.

    The workshop, which gathered key stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector, marks a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s approach to space as a tool for development. Nation

  • FG says 16,000 doctors left Nigeria within 5 years

    FG says 16,000 doctors left Nigeria within 5 years

    No fewer than 16,000 medical doctors left  Nigeria  to  practice abroad in the  last five to seven years , the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has said.

    He made the disclosure Tuesday in Abuja during the annual capacity-building workshop of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA), and hosted by the  Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    It was themed “Integrated Healthcare Regulation and Leadership in Building Resilient Health Systems”.

    He said the mass migration out of the country was driven by factors such as economic opportunities, better working conditions, advanced training, and superior research environments abroad.

    He said the government was working assiduously towards tackling the problem.

    He said, “We have doubled the quotas for training in medical schools, pharmacy, nursing, and other health professions. Why? Because our experience shows that when you train more, more might stay, and those who left often return.”

    The minister said the government was also working towards addressing the maldistribution of the medical workforce, adding that over 40 per cent of  doctors are concentrated in Lagos and Abuja, while many parts of Nigeria remain without adequate medical coverage.

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare , Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako,  said, “Africa currently stands at a crossroads with our health systems facing unprecedented challenges of pandemics, increasing burden of non communicable diseases, infrastructure deficit, high out of pocket expenses for health, climate change, economic pressures, and the persistent migration of our health workforce.”

    He said  Nigeria is committed to ensuring that  health professionals meet standards of competence, conduct and ethics in order to safeguard the public and ensure that they get the best care at any point in time.

    President of AMCOA Prof. Joel Okullo  said the workshop offers a rare opportunity for stakeholders within the healthcare realm to converge, share insights, and cultivate robust networks.

    MDCN Chairman Prof. Afolabi Lesi enjoined regulators to uphold training standards, adding that  with the  level of governance, implementation of actions is bedevilled by fractured and fractious relationships among health workers who ought to be working as a team. Daily Trust

  • Africa’s Economic Renaissance Lies in Extensive Trade, not Aid or Charity, Mbah Addresses CWEIC

    Africa’s Economic Renaissance Lies in Extensive Trade, not Aid or Charity, Mbah Addresses CWEIC

    Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has charged Africa on robust regional collaboration and trade facilitation, insisting that Africa’s economic renaissance lies in extensive trade, not charity.

    Mbah, who insisted that Africa had all that it takes to build its own table, rather than wait to be invited to the table, also tasked the continent on fully exploiting the power of intra-Africa trade and opportunities inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.

    He gave the charge on Tuesday while delivering the closing remarks of the session, “The Africa Opportunity: Regional Collaboration and Trade Facilitation,” on the second and final day of the 2025 Commonwealth Enterprises and Investment Summit in London.

    At the session, which focused on how Africa could leverage the potential in its 1.3 billion population to boost trade and investment, the governor noted that such integration and trade facilitation had never been more compelling than now in the face of harsh global and existential headwinds facing the continent.

    “Such large population, plus Africa’s combined GDP of $3.4 trillion and the fact that the continent has 65 per cent of the world’s uncultivated arable land means Africa should actually be building the table – and not waiting to be invited to the table.

    “But one of the challenges lies in translating Africa’s remarkable potential into real economic development that benefits the continent’s people. One of the solutions lies in fully exploiting the power of trade, particularly intra-Africa trade. It would seem this was what AfCFTA came to fill.

    “The World Bank estimates that AfCFTA could lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty, raise incomes for 68 million people, and boost Africa’s income by $450 billion by 2035. That is about 10 years from now,” he said.

    He regretted that most of the objectives, including removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, for which AfCFTA was established, were yet to be actualised, wondering how Africa’s $40bn annual spending on food imports could be rationalised.

    “The dream of a continent-wide common market remains as yet elusive. Despite our frameworks, deep-rooted structural barriers still exist: Only 14.4 per cent of Africa’s trade is intra-African, compared to 69 per cent in Europe and 59 per cent in Asia.

    “Just seven per cent of Africa’s trade moves by air, yet we still face the highest intra-continental flight costs in the world. Over 70 per cent of goods are transported by road — but poor road infrastructure and border bottlenecks cost us over $4 billion annually in lost trade.

    “Maritime transport is underutilised. Only one in ten African countries has a major port efficiently connected to inland markets. Rail systems – our most cost-effective bulk trade option — remain disconnected or outdated across most of the continent. These statistics are dismal, especially given that it is nearly a decade since the signing of the AfCFTA,” he stated.

    Nevertheless, the governor said that “it is not all doom and gloom,” noting that it took the European Union over 35 years to launch its Single Market, but charged Africa to learn from the EU by taking action, prioritising regulatory frameworks, human capital, and infrastructure, among others.

    “The EU did not just talk integration. They backed it with laws, infrastructure, and political commitment. Africa can learn from this. We cannot talk about building a common market when we are not yet connected — physically or digitally. So, the question is not what is wrong, but what must be done.

    “We need more than political will. We need a unified legal and regulatory framework — one that harmonises trade rules, streamlines procedures, and builds confidence for businesses across borders.

    “Second, investing in the enablers is critical – transport corridors, smart ports, cross-border rail, digital payments, efficient customs, and unified standards.

    “Also, no nation ever rises above the sheer capacity of its human capital. It will necessarily entail fixing our education system. This is a development imperative.

    “AfCFTA is not a feel-good creation. Let us not allow regionalism to become a barrier to a pan-African growth. Let us unite our markets, our ports, our rails, and our ambitions.

    “So, the message deductible from the discussions this afternoon is that Africa’s economic renaissance lies in extensive trade – not aid or charity. Let us turn potential into performance. The time is now,” he concluded.

    It is recalled that Mbah had during the first day of the summit organised by the Commonwealth Enterprises and Investment Council, CWEIC, on Monday, led the State Governors Roundtable session where he marketed investment opportunities in Enugu State to global leaders and investors.

  • Caucus leadership not by appointment, LP Reps to Abure

    Caucus leadership not by appointment, LP Reps to Abure

    The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has described as laughable the purported appointment of another lawmaker as the caucus leader by the former National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Labour Party Caucus Chairman, Rep. Afam Ogene, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    PACESETTER reports that Abure had, in a statement on Monday, condemned the activities of the caucus chairman and consequently announced his replacement with Rep. Ben Etanebe.

    However, Ogene, in the statement, said that the position of a caucus leader was not based on appointment, but election by colleagues based on their conviction of his/her leadership qualities.

    He said that leadership selection was based on the capacity to speak and act in the overall interest of the party and the people they represent.

    “On May 6, 2023, a 35-member Labour Party caucus in the 10th Assembly of the House of Representatives elected Hon. Afam Victor Ogene as its leader.

    “Ogene, a ranking member from the 7th Assembly, emerged as the Labour Party leader with 21 votes, after a keenly-contested election.

    “Although 34 members-elect of the party were present at the voting session, only 31 of them took part in the exercise, with the trio of Honourables Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Obi Aguocha and Professor Lilian Oby Orogbu abstaining,” he said.

    The lawmaker said that it was only the members of the caucus who overwhelmingly elected him that had the right to remove him as leader.

    “If Abure’s latest ill-advised tactics is because of the stand of the caucus lauding the judgment of the Supreme Court, which unequivocally declared that Abure’s tenure has long lapsed, then he is way off-mark.

    “This is because that remains the majority position of LP House of Representatives members – a fact that would be reinforced on Wednesday, April 9.

    Related News

    “By the number of legislators that will attend the NEC/stakeholders’ meeting convened by the party’s National Leader, Mr Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti.

    “We need to let Abure know, and boldly too, that Labour Party is a credible organisation and not a ponzi scheme, because sadly, everything about his leadership style is all about forgery, money and more money,” he said.

    Ogene alleged that Abure had embarrassed the party at many fronts, ranging from Ebonyi, Plateau, Ondo and Edo, by his lack of dignifying conducts and gluttony.

    “He may wish to tell Nigerians, and the world, what is at the centre of his feud with Eze Oko Splendour of Ebonyi State, Kenneth Imasuagbon in Edo and the aspirants that took part in last weekend’s Anambra LP gubernatorial farce,” he said.

    Ogene said it was appalling that Abure had neither accounted for the party’s finances arising from the 2023 general elections nor left any penny in its account, despite raising millions of naira in sale of forms and other gratifications in several off-season elections.

    He accused Abure of being engrossed in having to access to the funds belonging to the House of Representatives caucus.

    This, the caucus chairman said, only pointed to the depth to which Abure could go in search of free funds to fund his new-found lifestyle.

    “Ironically, no sane organ of the party would entrust the Supreme Court-sacked former national chairman with money, no matter how little.

    “Funds belonging to the caucus are intact, and would only be deployed in a manner prescribed by members, not at the former chairman’s discretion.

    “Labour Party deserves a clean break from that integrity-deficient leadership history to a future that all party faithful will be proud to associate with,” Ogene said. (NAN)

  • Apologise or Face Media Blackout, Rivers NUJ tells Police After Assault on Journalists

    Apologise or Face Media Blackout, Rivers NUJ tells Police After Assault on Journalists

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Rivers State Police Command to tender an unreserved public apology over the assault on five journalists during a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt or risk a statewide media blackout.

    In a statement jointly signed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, and Secretary, Dr. Ijeoma Tubosia, the NUJ condemned the actions of police officers involved, demanding their immediate identification and prosecution.

    “The NUJ, as a watchdog of society, will not sit idly by while media practitioners are subjected to barbarism and brutality. Enough is enough,” the statement warned, noting that any further attack on journalists in the state would be “vehemently resisted.”

    The union described the incident as “unprovoked, barbaric, and inhuman,” saying it amounted to a gross violation of the rights of the affected journalists.

    Those assaulted include Charles Opurum of Channels TV, Allwell Ene of Naija FM, Soibelemari Oruwari of Nigeria Info, Ikezam Godswill of AIT, and Femi Ogunkhilede of Super FM.

    The journalists were tear-gassed while covering the protest, with Opurum beaten, and detained by security operatives.

    Expressing deep regret over the incident, the NUJ lamented that an institution tasked with safeguarding lives and property has turned its weapons on citizens, particularly journalists performing their lawful duties.

    Despite the provocation, the union reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and partnership with the police in the interest of peace and national development.

    It, however, cautioned the police not to jeopardise the existing relationship with the media.

    The NUJ also urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing hope that the police authorities would take decisive steps to address the matter and ensure a more respectful working relationship with journalists in Rivers State. Channels TV

  • Pascal Dozie, founder of Diamond bank is dead

    IMG_4865

    The founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc and a former chairman of MTN Nigeria, Pascal Dozie, is dead.

    According to a statement issued by the family on Tuesday, the business tycoon died on Monday at the age of 85.

    Born on 9 April 1939, Dozie was raised in a Catholic home, with his father, Charles Dozie, serving as a catechist.

    He had his early education at Our Lady’s School Emekuku, Holy Ghost Juniorate Seminary, and Holy Ghost College, Owerri, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

    Seeking higher education abroad, he moved to the United Kingdom, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.

    He furthered his studies in Operational Research and Industrial Engineering before obtaining a Master’s degree in Administrative Science from City University in London.

    Dozie played a critical role in Nigeria’s banking and telecom industries, founding Diamond Bank, which later merged with Access Bank, and serving as the chairman of MTN Nigeria, overseeing its expansion.

    His contributions to the country’s economic growth earned him widespread respect.

    Dozie is survived by his wife, Chinyere, and five children. Punch

  • China says it will ‘fight to the end’ after Trump threatens to impose still more tariffs

    China says it will ‘fight to the end’ after Trump threatens to impose still more tariffs

    China vowed on Tuesday to “fight to the end” against U.S. tariffs as some citizens railed against President Donald Trump after he singled out Beijing for further levies, setting the stage for a standoff between the world’s two largest economies.

    If Trump sticks to his plan for an additional 50% tariff on China unless it withdraws its retaliatory levies on the United States, total new U.S. duties on Chinese goods this year could rise to 104% by Wednesday.

    With global supply chains in jeopardy, Beijing is under pressure to respond ahead of a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Spain’s prime minister and a tour of Southeast Asia.

    But with Trump’s previous tariff increases already squeezing Chinese exporters’ margins to the point of suffocation, further hikes would only serve to underscore Washington’s appetite for brinkmanship and its desire to cut China out of the world’s biggest consumer market as a matter of principle, analysts say.

    “The U.S. side’s threat to escalate tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake, once again exposing the American side’s blackmailing nature,” the commerce ministry said in a statement.

    “If the United States insists on having its way, China will fight to the end.”

    Trump said he would impose the additional 50% duty on U.S. imports from China on Wednesday if Beijing did not withdraw the 34% tariffs it imposed on U.S. products last week.

    The Chinese levies had come in response to “reciprocal” duties of 34% announced by Trump, on top of tariffs of 20% imposed earlier this year, lifting to 76% the average U.S. tariff on Chinese goods.

    “If the tariffs keep going up and up, it becomes a battle of wills and principles rather than economics,” said Xu Tianchen, senior economist for China at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

    “Since China already faces a tariff rate in excess of 60%, it doesn’t matter if it goes up by 50% or 500%,” he added.

    China has stepped up efforts to shield its economy from global market turmoil following Trump’s announcement.

    Several state holding companies have committed to increase share investment, a slew of listed companies unveiled buybacks, and the central bank pledged liquidity support for fund Central Huijin after it intervened to support sinking stocks.

    But there is no escaping the fact that Trump’s affinity for tariffs risks derailing China’s largely export-led economic recovery that followed the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, unless exporters can pivot quickly to other markets.

    China’s foreign ministry also called out the United States for a lack of sincerity regarding serious dialogue.

    “If the United States truly wants to talk, it should adopt an attitude of equality, respect, and mutual benefit,” ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press conference on Tuesday.

    The Chinese people “do not provoke trouble, nor are we afraid of it”, Lin said, warning that China will continue to take firm and strong measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

    TARGETING CHINA

    Trump’s tariffs will be felt particularly keenly as they target the two main strategies Chinese exporters have used to blunt the impact of the trade war: shifting some production abroad and boosting sales to non-U.S. markets.

    Ordinary people have also started to voice opposition, accusing the tariff-touting president of wanting to suppress the United States’ rival.

    “The tariffs on China were set too high, too high, and ordinary Chinese people just can’t accept that,” said Qi Xiushun, a 58-year-old resident of the commercial hub of Shanghai.

    “(The tariffs) are suppressing China’s economic development – these tariffs were mainly pushed by Trump, right?”

    Dan Wang, a China expert at Eurasia Group, said Trump had effectively already wiped out Chinese exporters’ profits once U.S. import duties passed the 35% mark.

    “After that, China shouldn’t export to the U.S. at all. It could be 1,000%, but since there is no trade, there is no harm.”

    “Europe is and will be the most profitable market for China now,” she added.

    Xi is expected to meet Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday, with the agenda likely to cover finding a resolution to trade tension with Brussels over China’s electric vehicle exports, as well as Trump’s broader tariff onslaught.

    The Chinese leader will then visit Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia, three economies that gained from relocation by Chinese manufacturers to avoid U.S. sanctions during Trump’s first term, but which now face steep levies of their own.

    “I think (Trump’s) targeting us, targeting China,” said Wu Xing, a 34-year-old sales person, also from Shanghai, adding that she expected the tariffs would have a big impact on her.

    “As for the United States, I think it’s targeting the whole world.”

  • Claims of Military Ransom Payment for Ex-NYSC DG’s Release Misleading – DHQ

    Claims of Military Ransom Payment for Ex-NYSC DG’s Release Misleading – DHQ

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Monday reacted to a viral report claiming that serving and retired generals and other top government functionaries contributed ransom for the release of former Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Mahrazu Tsiga (rtd), insisting that the report is misleading.

    A statement by Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, said an article by Brig. Gen. Ismaila Abdullahi, which claimed that military generals contributed money to secure the recent release of Tsiga, after being held captive for 56 days, was baseless.

    The article, he said, clearly contradicted the efforts made by troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, who embarked on a Search and Rescue Operation to secure his release, in addition to other non-kinetic efforts.

    “The publication includes an appreciation message from the senior officer, thanking other senior officers and civilian counterparts for their material and other support that contributed to the rescue of the former Director-General of the NYSC.

    “While it may seem unproductive to engage with those who consistently criticise the military, especially those who have benefited from it, it is essential to clarify the relentless efforts undertaken by the troops that facilitated General Tsiga’s release.

    “It is noteworthy that the unfortunate abduction of the former DG of NYSC occurred in the early hours of 6 February 2025, in Tsiga, Kafur District of Bakori Local Government Area in Katsina State. Immediately, troops of 17 Brigade were alerted and responded to the situation around 0300 hours the same day, and in a commendable show of professionalism, swiftly went on pursuit in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma,” he said.

    These combined efforts, he said, led to troops combing the assailants’ hideouts within Jeka, Areda, and Zango, all in Kankara Local Government Area, in search of the former DG. He stressed that the operation extended to Ruwan Lafiya, Mununu, Matallawa, and Bakkai in Faskari Local Government Area.

    “Although no direct contact was made with the abductors, the troops successfully pressured the criminals, who abandoned rustled animals and some captives in their hasty retreat. The troops nevertheless sustained the pursuit of the terrorists with unwavering determination, despite facing difficulties due to challenging terrain.

    “On 8 February, leveraging credible intelligence, troops intensified their manhunt for the abductors and conducted dawn attacks at Yankuzo and Gidan Dankaka in TsafeLocal Government Area of Zamfara State, where terrorist kingpin Ado Aliero was reportedly hiding. Furthermore, intelligence confirmed that he had links with the abductors.

    “Unfortunately, the operations did not result in locating the terrorists. However, subsequent air operations at Dunya Hill, a suspected bandit stronghold where General Tsiga was held, disrupted the terrorists, leading to the escape of several captives.

    “Regrettably, the former DG was unable to escape due to health concerns. One of the captives, Barau Garba, a teacher at Government Secondary School in Tsiga, who was with General Tsiga, was rescued by troops and shared his experience via the attached video. Barau has since been reunited with his family in Tsiga town,” the defenceheadquarters narrated.

    Gusau stated that in another instance, troops assaulted Pauwa Hills and the Matallawaarea of Kankara Local Government Area in search of Tsiga.

    He further stated that they were able to rescue 84 kidnapped victims from the area without locating him, adding that several terrorists were neutralised, while three personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the operation.

    “Since Brigadier General Tsiga’s abduction on 6 February 2025, troops have remained relentless in their pursuit, conducting both air and ground operations within Danmusa, Kankara, and Faskari Local Government Areas, where he was supposedly held captive at different times.

    “These operations kept pressure on the abductors. It is thus only fair to recognise the significant sacrifices made by these troops, who have worked day and night, often at great risk to their own lives, in their search for the senior officer.

    “The disparaging online commentary is therefore nothing but presumably an act of mischief, calculated to undermine the dedicated efforts of the military to eradicate terrorists and other criminal elements from the North West region,” he concluded. Arise News