President Bola Tinubu is currently hosting a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and prominent leaders from Ogoniland to discuss critical issues, including the Ogoni clean-up project and the possible resumption of oil exploration in the area. The meeting, held at the State House in Abuja, has drawn significant attention due to the longstanding environmental and economic challenges facing Ogoniland.
The delegation includes Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, and Olaka Nwogu, as well as other key stakeholders like Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, and Monsignor Pius Kii. Senior federal officials such as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and NNPC Group CEO Mele Kyari are also in attendance. The discussions are believed to address the 2011 UNEP report highlighting severe environmental degradation in Ogoniland and concerns raised by civil society organisations demanding $1 trillion for clean-up and compensation. These developments come as the Federal Government seeks to address the prolonged halt in oil production, which has significantly impacted Nigeria’s GDP amid an ongoing energy crisis.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) announced on Monday that its operatives successfully thwarted multiple bandit attacks across the nation over the weekend, leading to the elimination of 11 bandits and terrorists in Kogi and Katsina states. The operations were part of the Force’s ongoing efforts to combat crime and ensure public safety.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the police’s intelligence-led policing strategy has yielded notable successes. On January 18, 2025, operatives in Kogi State received intelligence about a group of armed bandits holding a strategic meeting for a possible attack in Budon, Kogi State. A swift response from the Kogi State Command led to a gunfight in which one bandit was neutralized, four others arrested, and an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 30 rounds of ammunition, and two motorcycles were recovered.
On the same day, in Katsina State, police intercepted a group of armed bandits heading to attack Ruwan Doruwa village. A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the elimination of seven bandits. The remaining gang members fled, leaving behind 109 rustled livestock.
In a significant development, the NPF also stepped up its fight against human trafficking and illegal baby factories. A major operation in Ondo State led to the rescue of 207 kidnapped children from suspected traffickers. A syndicate involved in child abduction was arrested following intelligence that led to the discovery of 14 children, ranging from 1 week to 7 years old, in Akure.
The police force’s continued efforts reflect its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians, demonstrating a firm stance against crime and promising to bring all offenders to justice. The NPF remains dedicated to enhancing public safety through collaboration with other security agencies and intelligence-driven operations.
Thank you. Thank you very much, everybody. Well, thank you very, very much. Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson, Senator Thune, Chief Justice Roberts, justices of the United States Supreme Court, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and my fellow citizens. The Golden Age of America begins right now.
From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free.
America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before. I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success, a tide of change is sweeping the country, sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before.
But first, we must be honest about the challenges we face. While they are plentiful, they will be annihilated by this great momentum that the world is now witnessing in the United States of America.
As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.
We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent, law-abiding American citizens, but provide sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world.
We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defence of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people. Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, been treated so badly. And other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago.
Or more recently in Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defence. They’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer. That’s interesting, but we can’t let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. That’s going to change.
We have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster, yet more money is spent on it than any country anywhere in the world. And we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves, in many cases to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them. All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly.
My recent election has a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed, their freedom.
From this moment on, America’s decline is over. Our liberties and our nation’s glorious destiny will no longer be denied, and we will immediately restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of America’s government. Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250 year history, and I’ve learned a lot along the way the journey to reclaim our republic has not been an easy one that I can tell you.
Trump vows to ‘tariff and tax’ foreign countries US oil imports from Nigeria to drop as Trump plans energy emergency order Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom, and indeed to take my life. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. Thank you. Thank you very much.
That is why each day under our administration of American patriots, we will be working to meet every crisis with dignity and power and strength. We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety, and peace for citizens of every race, religion, colour and creed. For American citizens, Jan. 20th, 2025 is Liberation Day.
It is my hope that our recent presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country.
As our victory showed, the entire nation is rapidly unifying behind our agenda with dramatic increases in support from virtually every element of our society, young and old, men and women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, urban, suburban, rural and very importantly, we had a powerful win in all seven swing states, and the popular vote we won by millions of people.
To the black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote. We set records and I will not forget it. I’ve heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come. Today is Martin Luther King Day and his honour, this will be a great honour, but in his honour, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true. Thank you. Thank you.
National unity is now returning to America and confidence and pride is soaring like never before. In everything we do. My administration will be inspired by a strong pursuit of excellence and unrelenting success. We will not forget our country. We will not forget our Constitution and we will not forget our God. Can’t do that.
Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about common sense.
First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.
We will reinstate my remain in Mexico policy. I will end the practice of catch and release. And I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.
Under the orders I signed today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. And by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil, including our cities and inner cities. As Commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before.
Next, I will direct all members of my cabinet to marshal the vast powers at their disposal to defeat what was record inflation and rapidly bring down costs and prices.
The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill.
America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth and we are going to use it, and they use it. We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again, right to the top and export American energy all over the world.
We will be a rich nation again and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it. With my actions today, we will end the Green New Deal and we will revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American autoworkers.
In other words, you’ll be able to buy the car of your choice. We will build automobiles in America again at a rate that nobody could have dreamt possible just a few years ago and thank you to the autoworkers of our nation for your inspiring vote of confidence. We did tremendously with their vote.
I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources. The American Dream will soon be back and thriving like never before.
To restore confidence and effectively is to our federal government, my administration will establish the brand new Department of Government Efficiency.
After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an executive order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America. Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents. Something I know, something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again.
Under my leadership, we will restore a fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law and we are going to bring law and order back to our cities.
This week I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colourblind and merit based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.
This week, I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate, with full back pay. And I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty. It’s going to end immediately.
Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies.
Like in 2017, we will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.
My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier, that’s what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier. I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families.
Thank you. America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the all and admiration of the entire world.
A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States, the United States, I mean, think of this spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal.
We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made and Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharge, charged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form. And that includes the United States Navy and above all, China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama and we’re taking it back.
Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and vitality of history’s greatest civilization. So as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success. We will not be deterred.
Together, we will end the chronic disease epidemic and keep our children safe, healthy, and disease free. The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons.
And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.
Ambition is the lifeblood of a great nation and right now, our nation is more ambitious than any other. There’s no nation like our nation. Americans are explorers, builders, innovators, entrepreneurs and pioneers. The spirit of the frontier is written into our hearts. The call of the next great adventure resounds from within our souls. It
Our American ancestors turned a small group of colonies on the edge of a vast continent into a mighty republic of the most extraordinary citizens on Earth. No one comes close. Americans pushed thousands of miles through a rugged land of untamed wilderness.
They crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the Wild West, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted billions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand.
If we work together, there is nothing we cannot do and no dream we cannot achieve. Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am, the American people have spoken. I stand before you now is proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do.
In America, the impossible is what we do best. From New York to Los Angeles, from Philadelphia to Phoenix, from Chicago to Miami, from Houston to right here in Washington, DC, our country was forged and built by the generations of patriots who gave everything they had for our rights and for our freedom. They were farmers and soldiers, cowboys and factory workers, steel workers and coal miners, police officers and pioneers who pushed onward, marched forward, and let no obstacle defeat their spirit or their pride.
Together they laid down the railroads, raised up the skyscrapers, built great highways, won two world wars, defeated fascism and communism, and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced. After all we have been through together, we stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history. With your help, we will restore America’s promise and we will rebuild the nation that we love and we love it so much.
We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God. So to every parent who dreams for their child and every child who dreams for their future, I am with you. I will fight for you and I will win for you. We are going to win like never before. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
In recent years, our nation has suffered greatly but we are going to bring it back and make it great again, greater than ever before. We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism. Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable.
America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith, and goodwill. We will be prosperous. We will be proud. We will be strong and we will win like never before. We will not be conquered. We will not be intimidated. We will not be broken and we will not fail.
From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign and independent nation. We will stand bravely. We will live proudly. We will dream boldly, and nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans. The future is ours and our golden age has just begun. Thank you. God bless America. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
Minutes after the inauguration of the new president on Monday, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials under the Trump administration shut down the CBP One app, a digital tool that allowed migrants to schedule appointments at U.S.-Mexico border ports of entry.
The shutdown effectively canceled all pending appointments for migrants without visas seeking legal entry into the United States, signaling the administration’s intent to adopt stricter border control measures.
This move is part of a broader policy shift aimed at dismantling pathways introduced during the Biden administration, despite a notable decline in migration over the past six months. According to CBP data, 96,048 foreign nationals were encountered at the border in December, with 48,722 seeking formal entry at ports of entry.
CBP One had been a key component of the Biden administration’s border strategy, encouraging migrants to use legal avenues to seek refuge in the United States. The app’s discontinuation marks a significant departure from those policies.
President Trump is also expected to sign ten executive orders on Monday addressing border enforcement. Among the anticipated actions is the reinstatement of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as the “remain in Mexico” policy. The program, which was a hallmark of Trump’s previous administration, required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases were processed. Over two years, approximately 70,000 third-country nationals were returned to Mexico under the program.
These changes reflect a return to the hardline stance on immigration that characterized Trump’s earlier presidency. Critics have raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of such policies, particularly as many migrants face dangerous conditions while awaiting decisions on their asylum applications.
The administration’s new measures come amid a decline in monthly border encounters, which fell below 100,000 for the first time since November 2023. In January 2021, coinciding with President Biden’s inauguration, CBP reported 78,414 encounters, with just 3,098 individuals presenting at ports of entry, a stark contrast to the December 2024 figures.
The shift in policy underscores a renewed focus on border security and immigration enforcement, with significant implications for migrants and asylum seekers seeking refuge in the United States.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed the possibility of reconciling with Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, accusing him and his allies of disregarding President Bola Tinubu’s directives during a peace meeting convened to resolve their differences.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, Wike expressed frustration over Fubara’s alleged failure to honor the eight-point peace agreement brokered by President Tinubu in 2023. The agreement, signed during a critical meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was aimed at ending the political rift between the two camps.
Wike criticized Fubara for allegedly undermining the process and failing to return to the President to address unresolved aspects of the agreement.
“I’m wondering, what conflict to resolve? Mr. President, in his wisdom, called all parties. He said, ‘This is the problem, and I want this problem to be resolved. Withdraw the impeachment notice. You go and do this; you go and do that.’ And everybody agreed with it,” Wike said.
He further noted, “The Assembly withdrew the impeachment notice; you did one and two, and then you sent people to go to court. Elder, have you gone back to Mr. President to tell him this assignment you gave us? We’ve done one and two, but we can’t do three and four. Mr. President, can you call us back to see whether we can find a solution to three and four since one and two have been executed?”
Wike described Fubara’s approach as unprecedented and questioned the integrity of disregarding a presidential directive under the guise of political or constitutional concerns.
The disagreement between Wike and Fubara reportedly began months after Fubara’s inauguration as governor, with the conflict allegedly revolving around control of political resources in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara had previously claimed he was coerced into signing the agreement, further straining relations between the two political camps. As the feud deepens, efforts at reconciliation appear increasingly unlikely.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a tariff adjustment of up to 50% for telecom operators in response to rising operational costs. This was disclosed in a statement by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, on Monday, January 20, 2024.
The NCC stated that the adjustment aligns with Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and will adhere to the 2013 Cost Study framework and its 2024 Guidance on Tariff Simplification.
The statement reads, “The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50% of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.
“These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the commission’s standard practice for tariff reviews. It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.”
The commission explained that the adjustment addresses a growing disparity between the rising operational costs faced by telecom operators and the static tariff rates, which have remained unchanged since 2013.
“This decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors,” Muoka added.
The NCC emphasized that the tariff adjustment aims to sustain investment in telecom infrastructure, enhance service quality, and ensure wider network coverage.
While recognizing the economic challenges faced by Nigerians, the commission urged operators to implement the new rates transparently and prioritize improved service delivery.
Three people, including a toddler, lost their lives on Sunday evening when a passenger boat traveling from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers State capsized due to a storm near the Yellow Platform area close to Bonny Island.
The boat, carrying 22 passengers, was caught in the storm, leading to the tragic incident. While 19 passengers were rescued, the bodies of two adults and a child were recovered.
Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the incident, describing it as a sad occurrence. She stated, “There were 22 people on board, unfortunately, we lost three people. Two of the bodies were first recovered, and the body of the girl was later recovered. Investigation is ongoing.”
Israel Pepple, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Rivers Commercial District, also confirmed the incident and attributed the accident to a windstorm.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Anengi Claude-Wilcox, the council expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives. “Preliminary findings revealed that the crash was caused by a sudden rise of the oceanic storm,” the statement read, adding that the survivors were given medical attention at the council’s expense.
The council further criticized the actions of a passenger boat that reportedly witnessed the incident but failed to assist the victims. “Information reaching the council revealed that there was a passenger boat that met the scene of the incident but refused to stop to rescue the victims,” the statement noted, urging anyone with information about the boat driver to come forward.
The local government called for strict adherence to safety rules by travelers and urged the contractor handling the Bodo-Bonny Road project to expedite work to reduce reliance on sea travel.
Residents of Bonny Island have also appealed for better safety measures for commuters along the Bonny-Port Harcourt sea route to prevent future tragedies.
In a controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday issued pardons to over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The mass pardons included high-profile figures such as Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, and Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, both previously convicted of seditious conspiracy.
Shortly after being inaugurated, Trump also directed the Department of Justice to drop all pending criminal cases related to the Capitol attack. Describing the rioters as “patriots” and “hostages,” Trump reiterated his long-held claim that they were victims of political persecution.
“We hope they come out tonight, frankly,” Trump said at the White House, emphasizing his view that the prosecutions were unjust.
High-Profile Pardons
Enrique Tarrio, sentenced to 22 years, and Stewart Rhodes, sentenced to 18 years, had their sentences commuted to time served.
A total of nine Oath Keepers and five Proud Boys also had their sentences commuted.
All other defendants charged in connection with the riot received full, unconditional pardons.
Backlash from Critics
The move has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and law enforcement officials:
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the pardons “an outrageous insult” to law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol during the attack.
Pelosi added that the decision betrayed those who risked their lives to uphold the peaceful transfer of power.
Capitol Riot Background
The January 6, 2021, riot was sparked by Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. A mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory, resulting in violent clashes that injured over 140 police officers.
Biden’s Preemptive Pardons
Before leaving office, former President Joe Biden issued pardons to individuals, including his close family members, former COVID-19 advisor Anthony Fauci, and retired General Mark Milley, citing “politically motivated prosecutions” by the Trump administration as a likely risk.
Biden also extended pardons to Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney and members of the committee that investigated the Capitol attack.
Reactions and Implications
Trump’s sweeping pardons mark a divisive start to his presidency, reigniting debates over accountability and justice in the aftermath of January 6. The decision underscores Trump’s commitment to his supporters but has deepened partisan divides and raised questions about the future of the Justice Department’s independence.
The World Bank Group has imposed a 30-month debarment on two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, over fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices tied to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.
The project, aimed at providing financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households, was compromised due to unethical practices during the procurement and contract processes in 2018.
Details of Violations
The World Bank stated that the firms and their CEO:
Misrepresented conflicts of interest in bid submissions.
Gained access to confidential tender information from public officials, constituting fraudulent and collusive practices.
Falsified experience records and manufacturer’s authorization letters.
Offered inducements to project officials, classified as corrupt practices under the bank’s Anti-Corruption Framework.
“These actions undermined the integrity of a critical initiative designed to benefit Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations,” the statement noted.
Sanctions and Conditions
The debarment prohibits the companies and Mr. Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects during the specified period. Additionally, the following conditions were outlined:
Mr. Didam must complete individual ethics training.
The companies must enhance internal integrity compliance policies and implement corporate ethics training programs in line with the bank’s guidelines.
Reduced debarment periods were granted due to the parties’ cooperation with the investigation, voluntary corrective measures, and the elapsed time since the infractions.
Broader Implications
The debarment is eligible for cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions.
The World Bank emphasized its zero-tolerance approach to corruption, reiterating its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in development projects. It stated that the implicated parties must meet all stipulated conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for participation in future bank-funded initiatives.
This action highlights the World Bank’s resolve to safeguard the integrity of development programs and protect the interests of vulnerable populations globally.
President Donald Trump on Monday issued an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing dissatisfaction with the organization’s operations and financial disparities.
Speaking at the White House just hours after his inauguration, Trump criticized the WHO for what he called mismanagement and bias, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The United States has been paying far more than China to the WHO, and yet we’ve been ripped off,” Trump declared.
Impact on Global Health
The United States, as the largest donor to the Geneva-based organization, has historically provided crucial financial support. Its departure is expected to cause significant disruption to the WHO’s funding and global health initiatives, potentially leading to a restructuring of the institution.
This withdrawal comes as global health experts warn of the rising pandemic potential of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has already claimed a life in the United States and infected dozens.
A Repeat Decision
This marks the second time Trump has pursued a withdrawal from the WHO. During his first term, the U.S. issued a notice of intent to leave, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. That withdrawal was later reversed by the Biden administration.
Details of the Executive Order
Trump’s executive order directs U.S. agencies to:
Pause all future transfers of U.S. government funds, support, or resources to the WHO.
Identify credible U.S. and international partners to take over activities previously managed by the WHO.
Additionally, the administration announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to enhance pandemic prevention and response.
Global Implications
The timing of this decision coincides with ongoing negotiations among WHO member states for a treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response—a process that will now proceed without U.S. involvement.
The withdrawal signals a major shift in U.S. global health policy and raises concerns about the country’s leadership role in addressing international health crises.
