Politics
Brazil’s Lula plans state visit for China’s Xi and talks in Amazon with US’ Biden

Published
6 months agoon
By
Ekwutos BlogXi Jinping gets state visit in place of Biden, who will not make it to Brasilia
Brazilian President Luiz InAcio Lula da Silva is planning several engagements with his Chinese and US counterparts, built around their trips to the South American country – including one to the Amazon – for the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro next month.
US President Joe Biden will attend the multilateral summit in Rio de Janeiro in person, a senior White House official said on Wednesday, while a Brazilian government official confirmed that Lula will host Chinese President Xi Jinping for an official state visit immediately after G20.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Washington-based think tank Brookings Institution, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that during the trip, Biden plans to widen discussions on the Partnership for Workers’ Rights.
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That initiative was launched with Lula on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last year and is focused on combating forced labour, promoting investment standards that support “decent” jobs, empowering workers and eliminating discrimination in the workplace.
Lula and Biden, Sullivan said, will be “looking to expand that to include other countries”.
The White House official also emphasised that US participation in this year’s G20 summit will be focused on “spearheading an effort that calls for the international financial institutions and the major creditors in the private sector to step up their relief for countries facing high debt burdens”.
The global debt issue emerged as a high priority at India’s G20 summit last year, where Indian diplomats proposed that major lenders, particularly China – the world’s largest sovereign creditor – accept substantial reductions in lending rates.
Beijing rejected these calls, instead insisting that resolving the debt crisis required “joint action” and an “in-depth analysis of the causes of global debt issues and to solve the problem in a comprehensive and effective manner”.
The China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, affiliated with the Ministry of State Security, also accused India of using debt restructuring to discredit Beijing by promoting the “debt trap” theory – which suggests China lends to poor countries to extract strategic military and political concessions.
While Sullivan has confirmed Biden’s coming trip, the White House has not released an official schedule.
However the meetings end up, they underscore the extent to which Washington and Beijing are competing for influence in Brazil and more broadly across Latin America.
Lula revealed earlier this year that his administration was putting together “a proposal to join” the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s flagship infrastructure and investment project.
Washington is trying to counter the belt and road through funding led by its International Development and International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) and other agencies.
Sources told The Post on Wednesday that the US president will travel first to the Apec Summit in Peru, a six-day event that starts on November 10, followed by a stop to a city in the Amazon rainforest before heading to the G20 summit.
The Amazon visit, planned for Belem – the 2025 COP 30 host city – comes at Brazil’s invitation and could include an announcement of US contributions to a fund designed to finance efforts to protect the forest, whose health is vital as a major “sink” for global carbon emissions.
According to sources, this stop also serves to fill a diplomatic gap left by Biden, who is unable to stick with tentative plans to hold bilateral talks with Lula in Brasilia after the G20.
Instead, the Brazilian president will receive the Chinese leader Xi there for a series of events headed by several ministers from both countries and a state dinner.
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Politics
Anambra 2025: Onyeze emerges Accord Party guber candidate

Published
20 minutes agoon
April 10, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
Anambra philanthropist, Chief Chidi Charles Onyeze, has emerged the governorship candidate of the Accord party for the November 5 2025 Anambra governorship election.
He was declared unopposed during the Party’s Primary election process held at East End Hotel, Aroma, Awka, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The exercise was witnessed by thousands of party chieftains, members, INEC, security, and the media.
By his emergence, Chief Onyeze has become the youngest governorship candidate, who will participate in the election alongside the incumbent governor of the state, Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo (APGA), Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu (APC), Mr. Jude Ejimofor (PDP), Chief George Muoghalu (LP) and other awaiting candidates from other political parties.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after the process, Onyeze said he is contesting the election to address the current challenges of unemployment, insecurity, and poor educational system in Anambra State.
Politics
FG UNVEILS GOVERNANCE SCORECARD TO ACCELERATE $1 TRILLION ECONOMY VISION

Published
58 minutes agoon
April 10, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr Wale Edun has spotlighted corporate governance as a key lever in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push to build a $1 trillion economy, urging state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to meet global standards of transparency, ethics, and performance.
Speaking at the MOFI Corporate Governance Forum in Abuja on Monday, the Honourable Minister described the newly introduced MOFI Scorecard as a vital benchmark for institutional health—designed to position SOEs for investment, growth, and long-term value creation.
This scorecard is not just a document—it’s a test, Edun said. He added that Strong governance attracts capital, builds trust, and delivers real economic returns.
The two-day forum, themed Ensuring Value Creation in State-Owned Enterprises Through Better Corporate Governance, brought together CEOs, regulators, and development partners to examine how better oversight can unlock Nigeria’s public asset potential.
Referencing entities like NNPC Ltd, Edun noted that SOEs must be investor-ready as the government shifts from debt-heavy budgets to equity-based growth. He also pointed to positive macro signals and falling food and fuel prices—as early signs of a stabilising economy.
MOFI Chairman Dr. Shamsudeen Usman confirmed that the scorecard will be enforced through independent assessments, including MOFI itself. We are not asking others to do what we haven’t already done, he said.
MOFI CEO Dr. Armstrong Takang outlined a rollout that includes third-party evaluations, remediation plans, and public recognition through the annual MOFI Excellence Awards.
Backed by the World Bank, the initiative marks a shift in how Nigeria manages public wealth—with governance now central to growth, resilience, and investor confidence.
The introduction of the governance scorecard is a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s economy. As the country moves forward, one thing is clear: transparency, accountability, and growth will be the guiding principles for the SOEs.
Politics
FG GIVES UPDATE ON THE CRUDE AND REFINED PRODUCT SALES IN NAIRA INITIATIVE

Published
1 hour agoon
April 9, 2025By
Ekwutos Blog
The Technical Sub-Committee on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative has today convened an update meeting held in Abuja with the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, presiding. The meeting reviewed progress and addressed ongoing implementation matters.
The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, as directed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). It stated that the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, bolster energy security, and reduce reliance on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market.
The Committee acknowledges that implementation challenges may arise from time to time. However, such issues are being actively addressed through coordinated efforts among all relevant parties. The initiative remains in effect and will continue for as long as it aligns with the public interest and supports the national economy.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Implementation Committee, the Honourable
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee and Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji; the Chief Financial Officer of NNPC Limited, Mr. Dapo Segun; the Coordinator of NNPC Refineries; Management of NNPC Trading; representatives of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals; and senior officials from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), representative of Afreximbank, as well as the Secretary of the Committee, Hauwa Ibrahim.
The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative, a strategic move expected to have a lasting impact on Nigeria’s economy, fostering growth, stability, and self-sufficiency. This bold step positions Nigeria for success in the years to come

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