The Federal Government of Nigeria has categorically denied circulating reports suggesting that the Ministerial Press Briefing Sessions have been moved from Abuja to London. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, addressed these claims during the eighth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing Series held at the National Press Centre in Abuja. In his opening remarks, Minister Idris emphasized that the briefings remain firmly rooted in Nigeria, serving as a platform for government officials to communicate directly with citizens. He stated, “This is your answer to the insinuation that the press briefing session is relocating abroad. We have our responsibility first to the Nigerian nation, and that’s why we invite these ministers to come here and address Nigerians and those outside this country directly from nowhere but the National Press Centre here in Abuja.” The session was attended by key government figures, including the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev; and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi. Senator Umahi also refuted the false reports, affirming the government’s commitment to transparency and direct communication with the Nigerian populace. Economic Indicators Show Positive Trends Minister Idris highlighted recent economic data indicating a gradual improvement in Nigeria’s economy. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the headline inflation rate decreased to 23.71% in April 2025 from 24.23% in March 2025. Month-on-month inflation also saw a significant drop from 3.90% in March to 1.86% in April. Food inflation, a major concern for many Nigerians, eased to 21.26% year-on-year in April, down from 21.79% in March. This decline is attributed to price reductions in staple items such as maize flour, wheat grain, yam flour, okra, soya beans, rice, and beans. Minister Idris credited these positive trends to President Tinubu’s focused interventions and reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy and improving the living conditions of Nigerians. He assured that the administration would continue to implement people-centered policies to sustain economic growth and shared prosperity. (National Bureau of Statistics)(allAfrica.com)
President Donald Trump has once again urged the Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, to implement a cut in interest rates, stressing that now is the ideal time. According to Trump, recent economic indicators such as reduced inflation, falling energy prices, and strong job growth show that a rate cut would benefit the American economy. He made this call through his social media platform, Truth Social, criticizing Powell for being habitually late in taking action but encouraging him to shift his image by acting swiftly this time. “This would be a PERFECT time for Fed Chairman Jerome Powell to cut Interest Rates. He is always ‘late,’ but he could now change his image, and quickly,” Trump posted. He further pointed out: “A big win for America… cut interest rates, Jerome, and stop playing politics,” Trump added. Federal Reserve Responds to Tariffs and Economic Outlook In response, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell addressed concerns about Trump’s tariff policies during a recent press briefing. He warned that the tariffs could lead to higher inflation and slower economic growth, contrary to Trump’s claims. “The economic effects of these tariffs are significantly larger than expected,” Powell noted. He emphasized that: These remarks were echoed in Powell’s earlier statements at the Federal Reserve official site which outlines their commitment to maintaining economic stability. Economic Tug-of-War: Politics vs Policy Trump’s criticism of the Federal Reserve is not new. He has previously accused the Fed of delayed responses that hurt the U.S. economy. However, Powell and other economists believe that monetary policy must remain data-driven and independent of political pressure. For readers interested in understanding how interest rates affect the economy, check out our guide on how interest rate changes impact your savings and loans (internal link). Conclusion With the U.S. economy showing mixed signals—strong employment figures on one hand and potential inflationary pressures from tariffs on the other—the debate between President Trump and Fed Chair Powell highlights the tension between politics and monetary policy. As inflation trends shift and geopolitical events continue to unfold, all eyes remain on the Federal Reserve’s next move. Will Powell yield to political pressure, or stick with his cautious approach? Related Articles: READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.Join our Telegram Chanel.
