Author: Naija Daily News

China issued a stark warning that it is prepared to engage in “any type” of conflict with the United States in response to President Donald Trump’s escalating trade tariffs on Chinese imports. The tension intensified on Tuesday when President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%, prompting China to retaliate with its own set of tariffs—15% on American agricultural products. In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the Chinese Embassy in Washington declared:  “If war is what the U.S. seeks— whether it be a tariff war, trade war, or any other type of confrontation—we are prepared to fight until the end.” The Embassy also addressed the ongoing fentanyl crisis, accusing the United States of using it as a pretext to justify tariff increases. The statement said, “If the U.S. genuinely wants to resolve the fentanyl issue, it should engage with China as equals and through dialogue.” China dismissed the U.S. stance as a “flimsy excuse” to impose further tariffs on Chinese imports,  reaffirming that its countermeasures are legitimate efforts to protect its national interests.  The Embassy insisted that the U.S. is primarily responsible for the fentanyl epidemic within its borders, noting that China has already taken significant steps to assist the U.S. in combating the issue. “In the spirit of humanity and goodwill towards the American people, China has been proactive in helping address this crisis,” the statement said. Despite these efforts, China expressed frustration at what it characterized as Washington’s ungrateful and coercive tactics. “Rather than acknowledging our contributions, the U.S. has attempted to shift blame to China and used tariff hikes as a tool of pressure. This approach not only fails to resolve the  U.S.’s problems but undermines our cooperation on counter-narcotics,” the Embassy stated. The Embassy issued a firm warning to the U.S., emphasizing that intimidation and coercion would not be effective in dealing with China. “Bullying and threats will not work on us,” the statement declared.  “Anyone who thinks they can apply maximum pressure on China is miscalculating and will find  themselves on the wrong side of history.” Canada imposes 25% tariffs on US imports Meanwhile, Canada also joined the trade fray. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Tuesday that Canada would impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. imports in response to Washington’s recent trade measures. This move comes in retaliation to the U.S. decision to implement similar tariffs  on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. Trudeau confirmed the Canadian response on X, stating, “As soon as U.S. tariffs went into effect this morning, so did Canada’s countermeasures. We will impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion of American  products.” ‘ He further noted that $30 billion worth of goods would be targeted immediately, with the remaining  $125 billion set to follow in 21 days. Global Implications of the Trade War As trade disputes between the U.S., China, and Canada intensify, the global economic landscape continues to shift. The ongoing tariff escalation reflects a broader struggle for influence in international trade, with each country seeking to protect its economic interests while navigating the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.

The Rivers State Government has informed the State House of Assembly of its inability to honour Monday’s ultimatum for the presentation of the 2025 budget to Rt Hon Martins Amaehule-led House. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, in a letter to the assembly said the government was yet to be furnished with the summons containing the ultimatum. Besides, the SSG revealed that the government’s legal team were yet to get the Supreme Court judgment and was therefore unable to digest it to provide a framework for their response and action. The government said: “As at the close…

By Didimoko A. Didimoko The raging political feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile godfather and predecessor, Nyesom Wike is threatening to plunge the state into a tribal war, investigation has revealed. Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is locked in an intense battle with his estranged godson over control of the political structure of the state, and its resources. An investigation by Naija Daily revealed that the battle is degenerating into a tribal war between the Ikwerre (upland) and Ijaw (riverine) areas. The faceoff between the two sides heated up after the Friday,…

By Deborah Nnamdi President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Shamsedeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the new Accountant General of the Federation following a thorough selection process. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement. Onanuga noted that Ogunjimi’s appointment, which was approved on Tuesday, will take effect on March 7, 2025—the same day the current Accountant General, Oluwatoyin Madehin, will retire. Ogunjimi, 57, was first named as Madehin’s successor last December.A selection committee later chose him through a competitive, rigorous, and merit-based process involving Directors of…

By Deborah Nnamdi Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have apprehended former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel in connection with a N700 billion fraud allegation. The arrest took place on Tuesday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, after the former governor was invited for questioning. Emmanuel, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, is facing charges of money laundering, embezzlement of funds, and financial mismanagement during his time in office. Reports said that the arrest stemmed from a petition by the civil society organization Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT). The petition alleged that Emmanuel…

By Deborah Nnamdi Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has announced that all confiscated ‘Okite’ boxes, which are allegedly used by native doctors, will undergo forensic analysis. He issued a stern warning that if any traces of human blood were discovered, the owners would face harsh penalties. In a statement made in Awka, the governor condemned the involvement of fraudulent native doctors in criminal activities, highlighting that thousands of Nigerian youths are suffering in prisons around the world due to their influence. Currently, around 30 suspected native doctors and pastors are under investigation as part of the state government’s efforts…

By Deborah Nnamdi The FCT Police Command has dismissed rumors that Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), was kidnapped and murdered. Instead, the police confirmed that he was found dead in a chair inside his hotel room in Abuja after meeting with a female guest. Parradang’s body was discovered a day after he checked into Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, by a concerned friend, a military officer, who, along with hotel staff, went to check on him. Earlier reports suggested that the former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang,…

By Deborah Nnamdi A tanker explosion in the early hours of Tuesday claimed the lives of two persons in Ibadan, Oyo State. The incident, which occurred around Gabster Mega Petrol Station, Orita Challenge, in the Oluyole Local Government Area, happened at about 5:00 am. on Tuesday morning. The victims, reportedly identified as the driver of the tanker and his motorboy, were burnt beyond recognition. “The incident happened around 5:00 this morning. The driver and his motor boy were trapped in the inferno and couldn’t escape. They were burnt beyond recognition,” an eyewitness said. Another source disclosed that operatives of the…

By Deborah Nnamdi Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have apprehended a 20-year-old man(name withheld) for the alleged murder of his mother. According to the police, the suspect killed his 40-year-old mother, Salama Abdullahi, with a pestle in the Abujan Kwata area of the Bauchi metropolis. This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the command, CSP Ahmed Wakil, on Tuesday in Bauchi. He said the suspect allegedly attacked the deceased with a pestle after the altercation between them, causing injuries in parts of her body. “On February 24, members of the Peace and Security Committee in…

By Didimoko A. Didimoko There is growing tension in the Niger Delta region as a plot to remove the Executive Secretary of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro, thickens. Naija Daily News gathered that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been inundated with allegations of corruption and other malfeasances against the PAP Boss, leading to speculations that Otuaro’s position is becoming untenable. Our investigations revealed that unjust removal of the amnesty boss could destabilise the region, due to his connection with key stakeholders and former dissidents who accepted the Federal Government’s offer of amnesty. Similarly, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (AKA…