Trump slams Nigeria’s import ban, says it affects American exporters

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Nigeria’s import ban on 25 different product categories impacts U.S. exporters, particularly in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and consumer goods, the United States Trade Representative said in a statement on Monday.

According to the statement posted on its X platform, Nigeria’s restrictions on items like beef, pork, poultry, fruit juices, medicaments, and spirits limit U.S. market access and reduce export opportunities.

These policies create significant trade barriers that lead to lost revenue for U.S. businesses looking to expand in the Nigerian market.

The country’s reaction comes at a time when tensions are rising over its sweeping tariffs imposed on several countries.

Last week, the Trump administration imposed various tariffs ranging between 10 per cent and 65 per cent on different countries across the world, including Nigeria which got a 14 per cent tariff on its exports to the United States.

Nigerian stocks on Monday recorded their biggest drop in recent times following the impact of U.S President Donald Trump’s tariffs on global trade markets.

Investors lost about N659 billion at the close of trading after the Nigerian Exchange’s All Share Index (ASI) decreased by 1.23 percent, its biggest single-day decline this month.

Stocks like Oando and Honeywell Flour Mills helped to push the market lower. Oando decreased the most, from N42 to N37.80, down by N4.20 or 10 percent, while Honeywell dropped from N11.32 to N10.19, losing N1.13 or 9.98 percent.

The Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) All-Share Index (ASI) and equities market capitalisation decreased from the preceding day’s 105,511.89 points and N66.147 trillion, respectively, to 104,216.87 points and N65.488 billion. The Nigerian market’s return this year has decreased to +1.25 percent.

Countries such as China have since said they would retaliate from the imposed tariffs.

China vowed on Tuesday to “fight to the end” against fresh tariffs of 50 percent threatened by US President Donald Trump, further aggravating a trade war that has already wiped trillions off global markets.

The Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, on Monday said that the Federal Government will boost non-revenue as a means of cushioning the adverse effects to trade tariffs imposed on countries by President Trump.

Edun also assured that the Economic Management Team (EMT) will meet to assess the likely impact of the 14 per cent tariff on goods exported from Nigeria to the United States.

He said the EMT will afterwards, make recommendations to cushion its impact on the nation’s economy.

Edun, who was speaking at an event organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated on Monday, said that while the adverse effect on Nigeria will be through an oil price plunge, the government is intensifying efforts to ramp up oil production and boost non-oil revenues.

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Dominican Republic: Nightclub Roof Collapses, Kills 27 Including Governor

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The governor of the northern Montecristi province, Nelsy Cruz, was among those who have died.

Rescue workers have been searching for survivors in the rubble of the Jet Set club, director of the Centre of Emergency Operations, Juan Manuel Mendez, said.

There were 134 ambulance transfers to different hospitals, which Mr Mendez said could be the equivalent of 150 to 160 patients.

He added that many people were still expected to be alive, adding that authorities “will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble”.

The cause of the roof collapse was yet to be ascertained.

Among the injured is Dominican singer Rubby Perez, who was performing when the roof collapsed.

His manager, Enrique Paulino, whose shirt was spattered with blood, told reporters at the scene that the concert began shortly before midnight, with the roof collapsing almost an hour later, killing the group’s saxophonist.

Mr Paulino said: “It happened so quickly. I managed to throw myself into a corner.”

He added that he initially thought there had been an earthquake.

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader wrote on X: “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary assistance and are working tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families.”

Mr Abinader arrived at the scene and hugged those looking for friends and family, some with tears streaming down their faces.

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No country has developed under democracy — Burkina Faso President

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Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s interim leader, has dismissed the notion that democracy is a prerequisite to development.

Traoré said it is difficult to pinpoint a country whose development is attributable to democracy as a system of government.

According to him, it is false to believe any country has developed under a democratic system.

The military leader said this recently during a flag-raising ceremony at the Koulouba Palace.

He clarified that Burkina Faso practices what he called “a popular, progressive revolution,” adding that democracy has no place in his country.

“If we have to say it loud and clear here, we are not in a democracy, we are in a popular, progressive revolution.

“We must necessarily go through a revolution, and we are indeed in a revolution. So this question of democracy or libertinism of action or expression has no place. As much as you think you are free to speak and act, the other is also free to speak and act, and there we end up with a society of disorder.”

“It is impossible to name a country that has developed in democracy. Democracy is only the result,” Traoré said.

The 37-year-old military officer emerged as Burkina Faso’s interim leader following the September 2022 coup d’état that ousted interim president Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

Fulani Terrorists Declare War on Edo State With The Acquiescence

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The Corruption at CAF and Patrice Motsepe’s agenda against the West African Football Union (WAFU)

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The Orphan That Killed Tesla

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Scott Bessent - Access to cheap goods is not the essence of the American dream”

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Tinubu swings into action, orders manhunt for killers of presumed travelling northern hunters in Edo State

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By Ireti Adepoju

Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Tinubu has strongly denounced the killing of traveling hunters reportedly intercepted by local vigilantes in the Uromi community of Esan North Local Government, Edo State. 

Expressing deep shock at the heinous incident, the President issued a directive on Thursday for the Police and other security agencies to promptly conduct thorough investigations and ensure that those responsible face appropriate consequences.

In a statement released by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that perpetrators would not escape justice for their actions.

Emphasizing that vigilante justice has no place in Nigeria, the President affirmed every Nigerian's right to move freely across the nation without fear. 

Additionally, Tinubu praised the quick response of Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the community leaders in Uromi for their efforts in preventing further escalation of the situation.

Observers have however commented on the hypocrisy of the president’s timely response, given the propensity of the federal government to drag its feet, if the same atrocity had been committed against Christians and Southern Nigerians, as has been the case for close to two decades now. 

#JusticeForAllNigerians #PoliticalDoubleStandard #NigeriaSecurity  

Elon Musk - The Nazi and Apartheid DNA He Proudly Embodies

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South Africa Used Ineligible Player In World Cup Qualifier Against Lesotho

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South Africa, currently leading Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers, faces potential consequences for fielding an ineligible player in their recent 2-0 victory against Lesotho last Friday.

The South African midfielder in question, Teboho Mokoena, had accumulated two yellow cards in prior matches, which disqualified him from participating in the game against Lesotho.

Mokoena received his first yellow card during a 2-1 home win against the Benin Republic in November 2023 and was cautioned again in a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in June 2024.

Despite this, he was included in the starting lineup against Lesotho, where he played 82 minutes before being substituted for Thalente Mbatha.

FIFA’s qualifying regulations stipulate that a player who accumulates two yellow cards is ineligible to compete in subsequent matches.

According to FIFA guidelines, players or team officials must automatically be suspended after receiving two cautions either in one match or across different matches in the competition.

There is an opportunity for Nigeria or Lesotho—who currently trail South Africa by four points in the group—to formally protest this situation. However, any protest needs to be submitted promptly.

FIFA states that concerns regarding player eligibility must be presented in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match, followed by a full report within 24 hours to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. If the deadline is not met, the protest may be disregarded.

If the protest is successful, Lesotho could be awarded three points, bringing their total to eight. This outcome could significantly alter the standings, allowing Nigeria to possibly overtake South Africa, depending on the results of upcoming matches.

As it stands, South Africa leads the group with 10 points, followed closely by the Benin Republic with eight points, Rwanda with seven points, and Nigeria in fourth place with six points after five matches. Looking ahead, South Africa’s upcoming match against the Benin Republic will be crucial in determining their position in this competitive group.