EVENTS

What does Biden’s visit to Berlin mean for NATO and EU?

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2024

US President Joe Biden will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer in the German capital, Berlin, this week, as his presidency draws to an end.

His visit, initially scheduled for last week, included a meeting at Germany’s Ramstein air base, where he was set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders. After Biden’s visit was cancelled, Zelenskyy made stops in London, Rome, Berlin, and Paris to present his “Victory Plan” to European leaders.

With Biden preparing to hand over the reigns to either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris, governments across Europe have been making plans for both scenarios, but Europe is going to need to reduce its dependence on the US either way.

Euronews spoke with transatlantic expert Rachel Tausendfreund to discuss the US-EU relations amid ongoing discussions about Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.

Tausendfreund stresses that Europe needs to procure more weapons and ammo together and coordinate together.

“Separately, they’re all buying a decent amount of things or producing a decent amount of material,” she says, adding that because NATO member states are working alone, the capacity is “much lower than it should be.”

France supports producing fighter jets and munitions as a European initiative, but there are other countries, such as Germany, who say that weapons should be bought from wherever it is cheapest and most efficient, including from Israel, causing tension between states.

What would it mean for NATO if Trump wins?

“There are two scenarios. The optimistic kind of French scenario is that finally everyone will agree with France that Europe can’t rely on the US forever and therefore need to establish strategic autonomy. And that would also mean less reliance on US systems because you need also political support sometimes to use some of these weapon systems,” Tausendfreund explains.

She says that is an optimistic scenario that is unlikely to happen because countries on the eastern flank of Europe, who feel vulnerable due to their proximity to Russia, lean on their relationship with the US and focus on their own defences, which can lead to continued fragmentation within Europe for NATO member states.

Regarding the future of Ukraine, Tausendfreund suggests that if Trump were to win the election in less than three weeks, there would likely be a decrease in support for Ukraine.

She believes Trump is going to push Ukraine into negotiations almost immediately, using military support as leverage to pressure Kyiv into talks. “By early January, they’ll be forced to negotiate, regardless of the situation,” she says, underlining that it will probably be important to Trump to get some kind of deal so that he can sell it as a win.

The best-case scenario for NATO under a Trump presidency would be to have a strong EU response and coordination with the UK, leading to a Europeanisation of NATO that keeps the alliance robust, according to the expert. NATO states would need to achieve this by increasing capacity and filling in gaps that could be left if the US withdraws support.

“A positive scenario is you have really a Europeanised NATO where the Europeans are providing 60% of the defence and deterrence capability,” Tausendfreund says.

However, if NATO states and the EU doesn’t ramp up its defence capabilities, then it could become very weak by 2025, she warns.

And what about the consequences for NATO if Harris wins?

“I think we’re looking at one maybe two years of solid support, but with an eye to finding an exit strategy,” Tausendfreund says.

She hopes that a presidency under Kamala Harris could encourage the EU to coordinate together to strength the European pillar. She warns that if Europe continues along this path of not being united in making decisions, that the effects will be negative, and can lead to weakened European security, by 2027 or 2028.

“The US simply doesn’t have the capacity to stay focused on Europe to the extent that it has,” she explains.

On the topic of Ukraine, Tausendfreund says that “if Harris wins, you can expect the same level of support rhetorically as we’ve had in the Biden administration. And I actually think another big spending package would be possible, even if the Republicans have control of the Senate, because a significant number of Republicans, maybe not quite a majority, but close, actually support aiding Ukraine, as long as the political pressure is not that high.”

The future of NATO

Either way, the pressure to arm NATO is unlikely to diminish, regardless of who is elected. Without better cooperation between member states, Russia could feel emboldened and “make trouble on the continent,” the expert says.

Ukraine’s potential NATO membership?

“Ukraine will need pretty strong security guarantees from the NATO’s partners, be it in the form of membership or just in the form of bilateral security guarantees. Well, for that to work, these allies have to be credible security givers and they’re the Europeans that have a lot of work to do,” Tausendfreund adds.

And about Zelenskyy’s peace plan?

“It’s an ambitious plan. It’s clearly just putting on paper what he thinks they would need in order to win. I’m not sure that it’s very realistic he’s going to get it. He’s not going to get it from Biden. I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Tausendfreund says. But under a Harris administration, there could be more support.

Security experts are urging Europe to take a more united approach in producing weapons, and say they need to accelerate making tough decisions for the future of NATO.

EVENTS

Amaigbo Community Rejoices as Internationally Recognised Azione Verde University Takes Off

Published

2 weeks ago

January 10, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The people of Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State have expressed overwhelming joy following the successful take-off of the newly established Azione Verde University, an institution that has already gained international recognition for its innovative academic standards.

The historic inauguration held on 2nd January 2026, which attracted traditional rulers, education stakeholders, community leaders, youth groups, and guests from within and outside the state, as well as the diaspora, marked a new chapter in the educational development of not just Imo state but the South East region, having its management team and workforce globally rooted in the educational sector.

Speaking at the event, the Papal Nuncio to Ethiopia, Archbishop Brian Udaigwe expressed appreciation to the Founder for his insights as well as indigenes of Amaigbo for providing their lands among other resources for the university’s use while charging them to be brave and not relent in their efforts to start a new thing for a better life, noting that the greatest mistake is the fear of making a mistake as well as not taking a step at all.

Archbishop Udaigwe further charged them to be courageous to start a new thing, as well as work with discipline.

The Papal Nuncio also thanked the foreign partners for their unalloyed love and dedication to the works and projects of Azione Verde University, while calling for more partnership in the locality.

“I wish and pray that this university continue to grow and provide holistic education”, He said.

In his address, the Founder and Chancellor of Azione Verde University, Amaigbo, Rev. Father Boniface Duru, described the institution as a centre of excellence built to provide holistic and world-class education while empowering young people with skills relevant to global demands, noting that education must consist first of the mind and the human person.

“The University is not just a building but a centre for the development of the mind. Education is the bed of development because you cannot talk about development without education.

“Our goal is to produce graduates who will compete favourably anywhere in the world, while remaining rooted in values that promote sustainable development and community service.

The President General of Amaigbo Community, Chief Sir Fyne Madumere, lauded the initiative, stating that the institution will boost economic activities, create employment opportunities, and place Amaigbo on the global academic map, noting that the university is not just for Amaigbo people, but a big gift to Imo State and Nigeria at large.

Sir Fyne Madumere

Chief Madumere, however, seized the opportunity to call on the state government to come to their rescue urgently and reconstruct and repair their roads, especially as they connect to the University.

“Our appeal is for the government to come to our aid; tar the road, build drainage, and make it passable because in the next one year, we will have over One Thousand people who are schooling here and there will be a need for the President and Governor of Imo state to be visiting from time to time.

“So we continue to appeal to the government because I know our amiable Governor Hope Uzodimma is ever responsive to the yearnings of his people, so we are appealing to him to come to our aid”, Sir Fyne Madumere added.

The Chairman of the Occasion and indigene of the area, Chief Mike Onuoha (Eriri Ego) who emphasized the social and economic impact of the institution in the locality, expressed optimism that the University will provide quality education as well as first-hand research on applied education while empowering individuals and transforming populations.

Chief Mike Onuoha

Chief Eririego further noted that Azione Verde University will offer increased access to higher education, enhanced learning within the state and employment for the community.

“The benefit of having this university is that the university will create jobs that will attract investment and stimulate new businesses.

“It will also provide access to quality education. It will bring about a movement in the markets and Partnerships will build out of this”, Chief Eriri-Ego noted.

Community leaders and youths also commended the management for choosing Amaigbo as the host community, promising to provide a peaceful and supportive environment among other things for the growth of the institution; even as they made cash donations to the management.

The Institution’s Communications Manager, Andrew…. highlighted the university’s academic focus areas which include environmental sustainability, digital technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship, health sciences, and renewable energy studies.

The Communications Manager urged indigenes to always protect and support the institution as their very own, stressing that with modern facilities, international collaborations, and a strong commitment to research and innovation, Azione Verde University is poised to become one of Nigeria’s leading private universities in the coming years.

“I advise the community to protect this place because all the Italians and foreigners here are trying to build something new and give a future to the students”, Mr Andrew called.

Residents who could not contain their joy, expressed confidence that the establishment of the university will significantly improve infrastructure development, stimulate the local economy, and inspire a new generation of scholars in the region.

They said Amaigbo stands proudly as a new hub of higher learning in Imo State, as the first set of students begins academic activities.

EVENTS

EFCC Probes Alleged $1bn NPA Account Diversion Linked to Former AGF MalamiThe Economic and Financial Crimes

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

By Our Correspondent

Commission is investigating a whistleblower’s petition alleging the diversion of over one billion dollars from a purportedly cloned Nigerian Ports Authority bank account.

The petition, submitted on January 8, 2026, accuses former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), alongside senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice and a private businessman, of involvement in the alleged financial misconduct.
According to the whistleblower, the funds were allegedly kept in a cloned NPA account domiciled with a commercial bank in Lagos.

The petitioner claims he alerted authorities to the existence of the account in 2018 and was instructed to assist with efforts to recover the funds on behalf of the Federal Government.

The petition further alleges that rather than being recovered, the funds were diverted through unauthorized transactions. Those named in the petition include senior officials attached to the Ministry of Justice’s asset recovery unit and a private sector figure allegedly linked to the account.

The EFCC has acknowledged receipt of the petition and issued an official reference number, confirming that investigative processes are underway. No formal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations at the time of reporting.

The whistleblower’s legal representatives have also requested security protection, citing concerns for his safety as investigations continue.
The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving Malami in separate matters, which he has consistently denied. The former minister has not yet issued a public response to the latest allegations.

EVENTS

Nigeria’s SGF Akume marries Queen Zaynab, Ooni of Ife’s ex-wife

Published

4 weeks ago

December 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Amid Nigeria’s security challenges, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, has married a new wife.

The SGF’s new bride is Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Abraham Double-d Dajoh shared the announcement in a Facebook post on Friday.

The post read: “We, the entire Dajoh family, happily join our daddy, uncle, and brother, His Excellency, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh, in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family.

“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab. We wish you all a happy Christmas celebration and a prosperous New Year.”

In the post, the family welcomed the new bride to “Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation,” to “Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation,” and to “the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband”.

Previously, Queen Zaynab Otiti Obanor was married to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

She tied the knot with the Ooni in a traditional ceremony held on March 12, 2016, in Benin City, Edo State, followed by a thanksgiving and reception on March 13, 2016, at the Royal Court of Ife in Osun State.

But the marriage crashed in August 2017.

The SGF’s marriage is coming at a time Nigeria is grappling with the security challenges, with terrorists and bandits unleashing violence on innocent citizens.

In a bid to address the situation, especially perceived Christian genocide in the country, United States President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes against terrorist enclaves in North-West Nigeria.

Hours later, residents of Kwara State were thrown into panic after an explosion in the Offa area of the state.