Landmark Africa Group has partnered with the Enugu State Government to manage the Nike Lake Resort. This partnership aims to revitalise the resort and transform it into a world-class tourism destination.
Paul Onwuanibe, MD of Landmark Africa Group, signed for the company, while Adaora Chukwu, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, signed for the Enugu State Government.
• Partnership Agreement: Landmark Africa Group has entered into a 35-year lease agreement with the Enugu State Government to manage and operate the 150-hectare Nike Lake Resort.
• N10b initial budget: The Landmark Group said it would spend an initial N10b to upscale facilities at the Nike Lake Resort.
• Redevelopment Plans: Landmark Africa Group plans to invest significantly in the resort’s redevelopment, including upgrading existing facilities and developing new attractions.
• Economic Impact: The partnership is expected to create significant financial benefits for Enugu State, including job creation and increased tourism revenue.
This collaboration is a significant development for the tourism sector in Enugu State and is expected to contribute to the state’s economic growth.
Implications of Trump 2.0 for Nigeria and Africa
Donald J. Trump Jr. assumed office as the 47th President of the United States of America on Tuesday, January 20, 2025. He implemented a raft of policy measures that significantly impacted Americans and the world.
Many Nigerians fear the effect of the cancellation of birthright citizenship—the Politicalecoonomist.com headlined its story, “U.S. can now arrest Nigerian migrants, others in churches, hospitals, schools.”
Experts in many policy bodies, such as the Atlantic Council, the Arete Group, and AgoraPolicy, have views on what could happen. Perplexity summarised their views.
Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president, which began on January 20, 2025, brings significant implications for Nigeria and Africa. Here are the key highlights of his anticipated policies and their potential impacts:
Economic Policies and Trade Relations
• Transactional Approach: Trump is expected to prioritise a transactional relationship with African nations, potentially favouring bilateral trade agreements over multilateral frameworks like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which is set to expire in 2025. This shift may lead to a focus on resource-rich countries such as Nigeria and Angola while sidelining others that do not meet U.S. strategic interests.
• Oil Revenue Concerns: With the U.S. now essentially energy self-sufficient, Nigeria’s oil exports may become less critical to U.S. interests. Trump’s energy policies could lead to a drop in global oil prices, jeopardising Nigeria’s revenue targets for 2025
Geopolitical Strategy.
• Competition with China: Trump’s administration will likely view Africa through the lens of competition with China and Russia. This perspective may result in increased investments to counter Chinese influence on the continent.
. Establishing initiatives like the Development Finance Corporation during his first term indicates a continued focus on enhancing U.S. economic presence in Africa.
• Security Dynamics: While Trump’s “America First” policy may reduce U.S. intervention in African governance issues, there could be an increase in military support for counterterrorism initiatives in key regions like Nigeria and Kenya.
This reflects a potential shift towards prioritising security partnerships over broader democratic concerns.
Social and Cultural Policies
• Immigration and Human Rights: Trump’s previous controversial remarks. This could lead to less emphasis on promoting human rights as a condition for aid or trade.
Strategic Recommendations for Nigeria
• Positioning for Opportunities: Nigerian leaders are encouraged to prepare for a more transactional U.S.-Africa relationship by demonstrating what Nigeria can offer in return for U.S. engagement, particularly in sectors like energy and trade.
• Diversifying Partnerships: As U.S. aid may diminish under Trump, African nations, including Nigeria, might need to look inward for development strategies and diversify their international partnerships to secure investments and support.
• In summary, Trump’s second term presents challenges and opportunities for Nigeria and Africa. The emphasis on transactional relationships, energy self-sufficiency, and geopolitical competition will shape the continent’s engagement with the U.S., requiring strategic adaptations from African leaders to navigate this new landscape effectively.
Melania Trump’s PR coup with Michael Jackson lookalike appearance at Trump inauguration
“Smooth Criminal” takes centre stage
Melania Trump turned heads at her husband’s inauguration by channelling the iconic style of Michael Jackson.
The former First Lady’s outfit, a navy dress paired with a flat-brimmed navy hat featuring an ivory stripe, drew immediate comparisons to Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” era. The ensemble sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many praising her daring choice and others noting the striking resemblance to the King of Pop’s signature look.
Melania’s fashion statement was not just about aesthetics; it was a calculated PR move that garnered significant media attention. By evoking Michael Jackson, she captured the public’s imagination and created a memorable moment that stood out amidst the inauguration formalities.
Some commentators even speculated that the outfit was a subtle nod to her husband’s controversial reputation. One user asked, “Is Melania trying to imply that Trump is a ‘smooth criminal’ with this outfit choice?”
Despite the mixed reactions, Melania’s choice of attire undeniably succeeded in making a statement. It showcased her ability to use fashion as a powerful tool for communication, blending nostalgia with contemporary relevance.
As the world continues to examine the look of her inauguration, one thing is clear: Melania Trump knows how to make headlines and keep people talking.
https://prnomics.com/melania-trumps-pr-coup-with-michael-jackson-lookalike-appearance/
Why this PR coup matters
Melania Trump has consistently used fashion to make a statement. From her choice of European luxury labels like Dolce & Gabbana and Dior to her embrace of classic American designers such as Ralph Lauren, her wardrobe has sparked conversations about the intersection of fashion and politics.
Her Michael Jackson fashion imitation is a classic public relations optic. It sends a signal to the black community on a day Americans are celebrating Martin Luther King. It also rides on the ever-green image of the king of pop, Michael Jackson.
Donald Trump has many haters. Will this fashion PR stunt by Melania Trump change their perception? Maybe, but it’s not certain. Is this a strong public relations coup? Absolutely!
Posts falsely claim Ethiopia overtook Nigeria to become Africa’s fourth-largest economy.
Oluseyi AWOJULUGBE / AFP Nigeria
Wed, January 15, 2025
Nigeria’s economy has struggled in recent years due to lower oil prices and tough economic reforms, resulting in a severe cost-of-living crisis. Posts circulating on social media claim this has caused Ethiopia to replace Nigeria as Africa’s fourth-largest economy. This is false: At the end of 2024, the International Monetary Fund ranked Ethiopia’s economy sixth and Nigeria’s fourth in Africa.
“Ethiopia has just displaced Nigeria to become the fourth-largest economy in Africa, while Nigeria now ranks fifth,” reads the post, which has been shared almost 3,000 times since it was published on January 5, 2024.
It also features an alleged quote attributed to Okenyi Kenechi reading: “From number one to 5 in just 10 years. The error of 2015 will take decades to correct.”
In 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party lost the election to the All Progressives Congress, which is still in power.
The claim also appeared on other social media platforms, including Facebook.
Africa’s top economies
Gross domestic product (GDP) indicates an economy’s size. It measures the value of goods and services produced in a country over a certain period (archived here).
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global financial institution with 191 member countries that tracks and publishes economic data, including GDP.
According to the IMF’s 2024 GDP estimates (archived here), South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria are among the top three economies in Africa.
Nigeria’s economy placed fourth with a GDP of $199.72 billion, followed by Morocco and Ethiopia.
Previously first
According to IMF data, Nigeria was Africa’s most significant economic powerhouse between 2012 and 2016.
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It dropped to second place in 2017 but returned to pole position the following year and maintained this spot until 2022.
Egypt overtook Nigeria to become Africa’s largest economy in 2023.
This data negates the second part of the claim, which states that Nigeria went from Africa’s largest economy to the fifth largest in 10 years.
Instead, IMF data shows Nigeria’s economy went from the largest to the fourth largest in ten years.
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