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Middle East Crisis: Trump plans to relocate Gaza residents to Egypt, Jordan

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US President Donald Trump floated a plan on Saturday to “just clean out” Gaza, and said he wants Egypt and Jordan to take Palestinians from the territory in a bid to create Middle East peace.

I’d like Egypt to take people. And I’d like Jordan to take people,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

“You’re talking about probably a million and half people, and we just clean out that whole thing. You know, over the centuries it’s had many, many conflicts on that site. And I don’t know, something has to happen.”

The vast majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, by the war that began with Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

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Trump said moving Gaza’s inhabitants could be “temporarily or could be long term.”

“It’s literally a demolition site right now, almost everything is demolished and people are dying there,” added Trump.

“So I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing at a different location where they can maybe live in peace for a change.”

A fragile truce and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas — which was signed on the last day of former US president Joe Biden’s administration but which Trump has claimed credit for — has entered its second week.

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Trump’s new administration has promised “unwavering support” for Israel, without yet laying out details of its Middle East policy.

Trump confirmed on Saturday that he had ordered the Pentagon to release a shipment of 2,000-lb bombs for Israel which was blocked by his predecessor Biden.

“We released them. We released them today,” Trump said. “They paid for them and they’ve been waiting for them for a long time.”

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has left much of the Palestinian territory in ruins, with infrastructure destroyed, and the United Nations estimates reconstruction will take many years.

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In October during his presidential campaign, former real estate developer Trump said that war-torn Gaza could be “better than Monaco” if it was “rebuilt the right way.”

Trump’s son-in-law and former White House employee Jared Kushner suggested in February that Israel empty the Gaza of civilians to unlock the potential of its “waterfront property.”

For Palestinians, any attempt to move them from Gaza would evoke dark historical memories of what the Arab world calls the “Nakba” or catastrophe — the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel’s creation 75 years ago.

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Access Bank Wins THISDAY Global Bank of the Year Award

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…Aig-Imoukhuede honoured as “Titan of the Year”

By Gloria Ikibah

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Access Bank PLC has received the prestigious 2024 THISDAY Global Bank of the Year award in recognition of its transformative impact on the global banking industry.

Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, was also honoured with the THISDAY Titan of the Year award for his outstanding contributions to the financial sector.

At the 2025 THISDAY Awards held in Lagos, Access Bank surpassed competitors such as the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) and United Bank for Africa (UBA) to claim the highly coveted title. The event, marking the 30th anniversary of THISDAY Newspapers and the 12th anniversary of Arise News Channel, carried the theme “When the Going Gets Tough… The Tough Get Rewarded.”

Access Bank was lauded for its strategic growth, innovative leadership, and commitment to sustainability. It also received recognition for its technological advancements, clinching the 2024 Digital Jurist Award for Best Digital Bank.

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In addition, the bank’s emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles earned it the 2024 Euromoney Award for Best Bank for ESG in Nigeria and Ghana. With an expanding international presence across Africa, Europe, and Asia, Access Bank continues to strengthen its global influence.

Managing Director Roosevelt Ogbonna, while accepting the award, credited the achievement to the bank’s stakeholders and stated, “This honour reflects decades of hard work and the vision of trailblazers like Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and Herbert Wigwe. We dedicate this award to our customers and team members who inspire us daily.”

Aig-Imoukhuede, recognised alongside other top leaders, reflected on his career, thanking Prince Nduka Obaigbena for his mentorship and shared, “This recognition is a testament to perseverance and vision. I am grateful to stand among exceptional peers.”

The ceremony, attended by luminaries from the private and public sectors, celebrated excellence across industries and highlighted the impact of visionary leadership in shaping Nigeria’s future.

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Speaker Abbas Hails President Tinubu’s Order For Biometric Headcount

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By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed concern over the prolonged delay in conducting a national population census in Nigeria, emphasizing its importance in establishing the country’s actual population.

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While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the National Population Commission (NPC) to conduct a biometric-based census, the Speaker described the exercise as long overdue.

He affirmed his commitment to engaging with the President, following consultations with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the matter.

Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the NPC board and management, led by Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra and Director-General Dr. Ojogun Tellson Osifo, the Speaker criticized the 19-year gap since the last census, calling it unacceptable for a nation of Nigeria’s size and significance.

Rep. Abbas noted that a fresh population census would help dispel doubts and counter claims of population overestimation by critics. The NPC chairman confirmed that the President had approved the biometric census to take place in 2025.

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He said: “Statistics don’t lie,” expressing his belief that the biometric system is the only way to determine the actual population with less deployment of resources.

“I will be part of those who will engage Mr. President on the issue of conducting census this year”.

Speaket Abbas who noted that the budget of NPC was inadequate to conduct a successful census, said the Federal Government may consider other sources of funds, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

“I will see my counterpart in the Senate on how to see Mr President. It will be a historic thing in Nigeria while it would also be something that will immortalise his (President Tinubu’s) name”, he said.

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Earlier, the Chairman of NPC briefed the Speaker on the plans for the census and the preparations made so far. He solicited the support of the House, and National Assembly by extension, with regards to funding and enabling laws.

According to Hon. Kwarra, part of the plans for the census included acquisition of technology, recruitment and training of officials, establishment of a situation room as well as advocacy/stakeholders engagements, including visits to former Presidents and ex-Heads of State.

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Betara Hails Wike’s Transformation Efforts, Celebrates Best Minister of the Year Award

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, has commended the FCT Minister, BarrIster Nyesom Wike, for his exceptional leadership and commitment to developing the nation’s capital.

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In a congratulatory message, Betara, who represents Biu/Bayo/Shani and Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State, praised Wike for earning the prestigious “Best Minister of the Year” award by THISDAY/Arise TV, citing his dedication to infrastructure and transformation in Abuja.

He said: “On behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Bar Nyesom Wike (CON, GSSRS), on your well-deserved recognition as the Minister of the Year by THISDAY/Arise TV.

“This prestigious honour is a testament to your visionary leadership, tireless dedication, and exceptional contributions to the infrastructural transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Your unwavering commitment to service and your determination to improve the lives of residents and visitors alike to the FACT has been nothing short of exemplary.

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“Through your bold initiatives and strategic policies, you have not only enhanced the aesthetics and functionality of Abuja, but have also reaffirmed the FCT’s position as a beacon of progress and modernity in Nigeria.”

According to Betara, the award reflects the Minister’s positive impact and the widespread admiration he has garnered across different sectors.

“I celebrate this outstanding achievement with you and express my gratitude for your leadership and passion for development.

“May this milestone serve as an inspiration for even greater accomplishments as you continue to serve with integrity and purpose.

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“Once again, congratulations on this remarkable feat. I wish you continued success in your endeavours,” he noted.

Betara described Wike as an outstanding leader whose transformative vision for the FCT is delivering remarkable results.

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