A dark cloud was cast on Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine on Friday because Russia sent only low-ranking officials to the talks; therefore, Nato officials concluded that Russia was not ready for the ceasefire and planned to increase further sanctions against Russia.

The Russian president was absent from the talks contrary to the expectations of Nato members.

Putin has not been supportive of the unconditional ceasefire. And his position had been deemed unacceptable by the European leaders who have been aligning their positions with that of American leader Donald Trump. 

Ukraine and Russian delegates, however, agreed on the exchange of prisoners of war.

Meanwhile, the Europeans have agreed with Zelenskyy to continue to look for the possibility of bringing Moscow and Kyiv back to the dialogue table and remain united in their position to continue to support Ukraine.

Ukraine's leader had called for a strong response to Moscow after the US leader expressed frustration over the Russian position on peaceful settlement and may be willing to align with Zelenskyy's position, given the current closer relationship between the two countries over the mineral resources exploitation deal.

The Russian president will not be personally attending the peace talks that is going to come up between the Ukrainian and Russian governments in Istanbul.   In the list of attendees released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the name of the Russian president was conspicuously absent.

This gesture is seen as the probability of Putin's presence in Istanbul is unlikely. Trump is, however, seen as being averse to a military solution to the war and is ready to accommodate any condition for a peace talk, though presently on a tour of the Middle East and is unlikely to make it to Istanbul.

At the meeting of NATO foreign ministers also on going in Turkeye, the French foreign minister said NATO has readied  more sanctions for Russia should in case Putin wants to prove difficult.

Russian officials have however arrived in Istanbul though NATO envoys are not impressed at the number of Russian delegates which they see as no indication Putin is serious about the talks.

Zelenskyy has however arrived Turkeye and will hold talks first with Erdogan, the Turkish president before deciding on the next line of action.

NATO Chief Mark Ruffe said the hope of a ceasefire is high. Since Ukraine is very committed to the peace talks.

Chinese and American negotiators have agreed on tariff reduction and given a sense of relief to all in the industry circles over the past few days.

Both parties gave a joint press statement on Monday that a 90-day window would be observed for more time to reach a concrete agreement.

It will be recall,both countries sent shock waves around the world recently,shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States,both countries announced 3-digit tariffs on goods coming from each other country.

But following two days of trade talks in Geneva, Switzerland, things began to look positive as an agreement to let things simmer down was reached, and global markets began to respond positively to the news as a positive sign to unfreeze global trade relationships and stock markets around the world began to pickup again. 

For decades, Russia had waited to gain an inroad into the African market, but with little success.  But now, there's an opportunity after the crack in the relationship between France and its African allies.

The Africans have allowed Russia to offer them a 'better' deal than France had ever offered at least in the eyes of the Africans who had also falling apart from their other brothers in the Ecowas community and had gone on to create their sub regional community which have only the three of them Mali, Burkinafaso and Niger, three countries that are very rich in mineral resources.

The two most important African trading partners had been UK and France but the two European countries had managed the relationship in a way that keeps retarding the progress of the African countries.

And now Burkina-Faso has been courageous enough to seize the opportunity Russia had always offered, and the good thing is that other African nations are taking note of the progress Traore is making in Burkina-Faso after his alignment with Russia.  And unless France can move very fast, things will have to remain as it is for now.

Since the beginning of the Russian agreement, an attempt had been made on  Traore's life nineteen times. With intelligence from Russi,a he had been able to stay ahead of the enemies.

The poor people of Burkinafaso are the real winners of the new development and they had been really supportive of their own but can they do without the support of their fellow African people who are insisting on the reinstatement of democracy in these countries, revealing also their distaste for the Russians whose gestures they see as Greek gifts and who could be even worse than their former western allies.

Vice President Shettima Kashim has represented the President of Nigeria at the inauguration of the newly elected President of Gabon. In a colorful ceremony on Saturday, the new president was sworn in after emerging as the winner in the Gabonese general elections on the 12th of April.

The new President Brice Nguema succeeded the former President Ali Bongo after his death and completed his term, then contested in the general elections to begin a new term of his own. Many world leaders were present. Among them were President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bassirou Faye of Senegal, and Mahamat Idris Itno of Chad. Others are President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Ismaili Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, and many other leaders.

In his inaugural speech, President Nguema thanked the people of Gabon and promised to address pressing national issues, particularly the issue of insecurity, crime, and infrastructure, and other basic needs. There was a lot of traditional display and cultural dance, as well as a military parade.

Sacked NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari and twelve other top management staff have come under probe over allegations of misappropriation of funds when he was in office.

 In a statement released by the media office of the national oil company, the economic and financial crime commission ( EFCC) has started an investigation into alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds by the former management staff.

Investigation is linked to funds earmarked for the rehabilitation of the infrastructure of the refineries and petrochemical companies 

Dangote has said his company may generate up to 30 billion dollars by 2026. Despite the expected negative impact of US tariffs on global trade, Dangote, whose products are cement, fertilizer, sugar, and refined oil, expects his company to grow and not decline. 

Since Trump tariffs does not affect oil and gas he hopes to continue steady exports to the US. He also see the 14% tariffs imposed on Nigeria as being competitive enough compared with 30% imposed on imports from Algeria his major competitors for cement. Same thing goes for fertilizer. So he expects to leverage on this to continue to stay ahead of his competitors. 

He expects to grow to the number one producer of cement by next year as he hopes to surpass all other competitors as he's working to increase output of cement.

Ukrainian President has said more sanctions on Russia, particularly on the banking and energy sectors, will influence Russian decisions about making cease ceasefire permanent or temporary. Congratulating Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on his victory at the general elections on Wednesday, he discussed the issue of sanctions on Russia with the newly elected prime minister.

Zelenskyy welcomed cooperation on defense and strategy against Russia, but most importantly, they discussed the issue of an unconditional ceasefire and hope that further sanctions will influence Russia. 

Meanwhile Ukrainian President has signed the mineral deal with the US, which is generally being observed cautiously, whether it will fulfill the expectations in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy had referred to the deal as being fair and capable of paving the way for modern Ukraine

However, Zelenskyy and Putin are still not conclusive on the issue of a 3 or 30days ceasefire. The Ukrainian President wants a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia insists there are issues for further negotiations.

Sanctions on Russia, particularly on the banking and energy sectors, will influence Russian decisions about whether to make cease ceasefire permanent or temporary. Congratulating Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on his victory at the general elections on Wednesday, he discussed the issue of sanctions on Russia with the newly elected prime minister

Zelenskyy welcomed cooperation on defense and strategy against Russia, but most importantly, they discussed the issue of an unconditional ceasefire and hope that further sanctions will influence Russia. 

Meanwhile Ukrainian President has signed the mineral deal with the US, which is generally being observed cautiously, whether it will fulfill the expectations in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy had referred to the deal as being fair and capable of paving the way for modern Ukraine

However, Zelenskyy and Putin are still not conclusive on the issue of a 3 or 30days ceasefire. The Ukrainian President wants a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia insists there are issues for further negotiations.

Reconciliation is the best move for the suspended governor of Rivers State, as he can do little from outside government.

Many people believe that politics is all about right and wrong, but it's much more than that. It is the reason why people should always make clear-headed decisions only 

First of all, he didn't need to fight Wike because it was always going to be counterproductive. Negotiations were what would have happened.

Like Wile wanted commissioners, why not give him ten and you take fifteen so that you can have your men in the setup. 

Many people misinterpret the Machiavelli theory, but the good end that justifies the means is more apt. A good end can still be fostered for this relationship because it started with good things in mind. 

Truly, people are always skeptical of relationships like that. People outside of it erroneously feel it's like giving away your aces, but that's democracy, and in the long run, a lot more people will benefit from it. Democracy is all about benefits and people 

Four years is a very short time, and it is always better to use it to make accomplishments rather than spend it on beefing. Fubara would have learnt all about that by now.

Vice President Kashim Shettima and all APC governors gathered at Asaba yesterday to welcome Governor Oborevweri, formerly of the PDP, to the APC. 

This is probably one of the most extraordinary political decisions that have been taken in the country since the return to democracy, when every member of the Delta State PDP unanimously decided to leave their party, which had controlled Delta State for 26 years, and joined the APC

It will be recalled that some members of the APC left the party to join the SDP, citing a deviation from the shared vision of the party by the incumbent President of Nigeria, who is a member of the ruling party.

The Delta state governor is however citing the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the driving force behind their decision to join the APC. 

Governor Oborevwori probably had seen it all in PDP, a party that controlled every aspect of government in Delta state from 1999. They certainly should be counting the cost and probably had seen the best of PDP as a party, which may become moribund after its two early rivals, the AD and APP, came together with other parties in 2019 to defeat PDP for the first time in the Presidential election.