Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has commissioned the Zion Ministry’s Orphanage and Old People’s Home in Mgbirichi, Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area.

The Governor encouraged investors to take advantage of Imo’s safe and secure environment, promising support for businesses.

Ekwutosblog reported that Gov. Uzodimma commended Evangelist Chukwuebuka Obi, Spiritual Director of Zion Ministries, for his initiative to care for vulnerable members of society. He urged Obi to consider building factories and schools to generate employment for youths.

The Orphanage and Old People’s Home aims to provide a safe space for the vulnerable and foster community engagement. Evangelist Obi expressed gratitude to the Governor for his support and infrastructure development in the State.

The event drew notable attendees, including Senator Osita Izunaso, members of the State House of Assembly, and traditional rulers. Rev. Fr. Paul Obayi praised Obi’s vision for attracting projects to Imo State.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser Media
April 22, 2025.

The United States has announced a move to slap tariffs of up to 3,521 percent on solar panels from Southeast Asia, a move aimed at countering alleged Chinese subsidies and dumping in the sector.

The tariffs on companies from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam will still need to be ratified at a meeting of the International Trade Commission in June.

The decision, which was unveiled on Monday, comes after anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations filed around a year ago by several US and other solar manufacturers.

Those companies took aim at unfair practices that were said to have weighed on the US domestic solar market, particularly raising concern over Chinese-headquartered companies operating out of the Southeast Asian countries.

While the move came after a year-long investigation, it is said to have followed on the heels of US President Donald Trump launching blistering trade wars through tariffs around the globe.

Trump’s tariffs, which have seen the White House impose eye wateringly high levies before suspending some of them to allow for negotiations, are aimed at reducing US trade imbalances.

According to the statement by the Commerce Department, the new recommended tariffs on solar cells, however, were taking specific aim at “transnational subsidies.”

“In the CVD investigations involving Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, Commerce found that companies in each country were receiving subsidies from the Government of China,” the statement said, referring to countervailing duty probes.

“These are among the first CVD investigations wherein Commerce has made an affirmative finding that companies received transnational subsidies,” the statement said.

The Vatican on Tuesday published the first photo and video of Pope Francis lying in state, showing the late Pontiff in an open coffin dressed in red liturgical vestments, a mitre on his head and a rosary placed in his hands.

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, surrounded by Swiss Guards, cardinals, and Vatican officials paying their respects before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

Ekwutosblog reports that the Holy See Press Office disclosed that the funeral of Pope Francis will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10am in St. Peter’s Square.

According to the statement, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, “Will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.”

Cardinal Kevin Farrell blesses Pope Francis as he lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae before his transfer to St. Peter’s Basilica for public veneration, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

It added, “The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio. The late Pope Francis’ body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.

“Ahead of the funeral, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.”

The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae chapel, Monday, April 21, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

Deborah Sanusi

Deborah, with nearly two years of media experience, reports human interest stories with a foundation in metro reporting.