Politics
Greenland leaders say they WILL enter negotiations with Trump
Greenland’s leader, Múte Egede, has expressed his willingness to engage in negotiations with President-elect Trump – although it won’t be over American potentially gaining control of the country.
Instead, the discussions would focus on the future of the mineral-rich Arctic territory, with a clear emphasis that Greenland’s people have no interest in becoming Americans.
Speaking at a press conference in Denmark on Friday, which holds nominal sovereignty over Greenland, Egede acknowledged the strategic importance of Greenland to the U.S. and said he was open to discussing areas of mutual interest.
While he has not yet spoken with Trump, Egede stated, ‘We are ready to talk. Cooperation is built on dialogue and finding solutions together.’
Egede was joined by Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, at the press conference.
The event comes amid an Axios report that Denmark officials have also communicated privately with Trump’s team ahead of his inauguration.
The secret communiques reportedly indicate the country’s willingness to explore how U.S. security interests could be addressed without transferring formal sovereignty over Greenland.
Greenland, a former colony of Denmark since the 18th century, became a self-governing Danish territory in 1953.
Greenland’s leader, Múte Egede, expressed his willingness to engage in negotiations with President-elect Trump
In August 2019, reports of Trump considering purchasing Greenland sparked swift rejections from political leaders in Greenland and Denmark, some labeling the idea ‘completely ridiculous’ or a ‘joke’
Egede acknowledged Greenland’s strategic importance to the U.S. and expressed a willingness to explore areas of mutual interest
The island gained the right to declare independence through a public vote in 2009 — a move Egede strongly supports.
‘We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house … This is something everyone should respect,’ he said. ‘Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic.’
Greenland’s importance has increased in recent years as melting Arctic ice opens new shipping routes, sparking competition among global powers for influence in the strategically located region between the U.S. and Russia. The territory and its surrounding waters are also abundant in valuable natural resources.
Currently, Denmark retains responsibility for Greenland’s defense.
The president-elect originally floated the idea of acquiring Greenland in his first term in office when discussing the prospect with his senior advisers back in 2019. But he left office without making any movement toward acquiring the territory.
Now, with less than two weeks before he begins a second term, Trump is revisiting the idea – and his son Donald Trump Jr. traveled to Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday with other ‘representatives’ of the incoming U.S. president.
At the time, former President Trump shared on Truth Social: ‘Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!’
During the visit, Don Jr. stopped at a local eatery in Nuuk, Greenland, meeting with community members and putting his father on speakerphone to address the residents directly.
At 836,000 square miles, Greenland is a scarcly populated, arctic autonomous territory of Denmark. When comparing it to the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1967, it can be estimated that Greenland’s total price would come out to approximately $230.25 million – though it’s not likely the same metrics would be use to determine worth
Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland on Tuesday with three close Trump allies for what was initially being sold as a ‘personal’ trip. It soon became clear that his intentions are to further his father’s intention to buy the arctic territory
On the call, Trump remarked, ‘I just want to say, it’s a very special place. It needs security for itself, but also needs security, very much, for the world,’ Trump said through the phone.
Multiple politicians, including Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, sent a clear message to Trump: ‘Greenland is not for sale.’
Her remarks prompted Trump to cancel a planned state visit to Denmark on August 20, 2019.
But if it were, how much would it cost the U.S.?
Some have said the best comparison is looking at the U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867.
Both Alaska and Greenland have cold, arctic climates, similarly scarce population density, strategic geographic placement and a richness of oil reserves.
The U.S. purchased Alaska, which is 586,412 square miles, for $7.2 million. In today’s dollars, that equates to around $153.5 million.
Greenland is about 150 percent the size of Alaska at 836,000 square miles. So by boosting that price by 50 percent, the total would come to approximately $230.25 million.
In examining past considerations for purchasing Greenland, history offers some intriguing comparisons. In 1946, the U.S. proposed buying the Arctic island for $100 million in gold, a sum that would equate to over $1.6 billion today.
Despite this valuation, both figures fall short of Greenland’s gross domestic product, which stood at $3.24 billion USD in 2021.
For further context, the U.S. bought the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million in gold, equivalent to approximately $616.2 million today.
The Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803 cost $15 million, roughly $418.8 million in today’s terms. These historical transactions highlight the uncertainty around how much a Greenland purchase might cost, should such a deal ever be pursued.
The logistics of such a transaction remain complex. Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress must approve any allocation of funds for land acquisition.
Even with a supportive Congress, whether they would back such a proposal is unclear.
When reports surfaced in August 2019 of then-President Trump considering the purchase of Greenland, political leaders in both Greenland and Denmark swiftly rejected the notion. Some dismissed it as ‘completely ridiculous’ or a ‘joke.’
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
17- DEC- 2025
The Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets, Senator Osita Izunaso, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the increasing occupation of political offices by individuals lacking the training, discipline, and values required for effective leadership.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the public presentation of Leadership 365: Daily Reflection for Effective Leadership, authored by Dr. Linus Okorie, President of the GOTNI Leadership Centre, the lawmaker noted that leadership in Nigeria is often misunderstood as merely holding public office rather than demonstrating character, competence, and vision.
Senator Izunaso stressed that authority does not automatically confer leadership, lamenting the absence of intentional leadership development structures in the country. According to him, many political actors assume leadership positions without adequate preparation, resulting in poor conduct, weak decision-making, and a disconnect from the people they serve.
He explained that true leadership reflects in attitude, speech, and behaviour, noting that leaders are constantly under public scrutiny and must therefore conduct themselves with responsibility and restraint. He added that leadership is not exclusive to political office holders, pointing out that leaders often emerge naturally in everyday settings based on influence and character rather than titles.
The lawmaker commended Dr. Okorie for contributing to leadership discourse through his book, describing it as a thoughtful work that highlights leadership as a daily responsibility applicable to all spheres of life. He emphasized that leadership is often revealed through action and integrity, not position, and can be identified even among children through observation of behaviour and influence.
Addressing young Nigerians, Senator Izunaso cautioned against the growing obsession with quick wealth, urging them instead to embrace mentorship and positive role models whose lives reflect sound values. He advised that money should not be the primary measure for choosing role models, stressing the importance of character and long-term impact.
The senator further observed that while technology and artificial intelligence are shaping the modern world, they can never replace the power of the human spirit. He noted that when properly guided, human capacity can drive meaningful change capable of transforming institutions, economies, and nations.
In his remarks, Dr. Okorie underscored the importance of deliberate leadership grooming, stating that nations that have achieved sustainable development did so by investing consciously in leadership capital. He explained that the book was written to encourage consistent self-reflection and inspire individuals committed to making a positive difference in society.
Observers note that concerns about leadership quality have remained a recurring issue in Nigeria’s governance discourse, with critics often pointing to weak institutions, policy inconsistency, and a political culture that prioritizes patronage over competence as major challenges to national development.
Politics
Engineers Farouk Ahmed, Gbenga Komolafe resign, President Tinubu nominates successors to the Senate for approval
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The requests followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC. Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.
The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.
Eyesan, a graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years with the NNPC and its subsidiaries. She retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream (2023–2024), and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NNPC from 2019 to 2023.
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering. He was announced today as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.
His prior roles include Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, as well as Chair of the boards of West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.
He also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power Directorate, where he provided strategic leadership for major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Engineer Mohammed played a pivotal role in delivering key projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train.
President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.
Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.
He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.
President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.
The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.
President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.
IMO WEST SENATOR IZUNASO WARNS AGAINST RISING TREND OF ILL-PREPARED LEADERS IN NIGERIA.
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