Economy
Irona Tasks Imo Communities on Public Infrastructure Security
Leaders of communities in Imo State have been charged to prioritize security of public infrastructure in their localities. This call was made by the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Gerald Irona, during a meeting with leaders of Ochia, Awarra, Assa, Obile and Obitti communities in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on the plans of the present administration for the area.
During the meeting, Mr Irona said an electrification project, jointly funded by the state government, through the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) and Waltersmith, a multinational oil and gas company in the state, is about to commence, seeking the cooperation of the communities.
He warned that the state government will not tolerate vandalism of infrastructural projects in any part of the state, challenging stakeholders to evolve strategies towards ensuring security of public amenities in their areas.
“On behalf of the Governor, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, I invited you. We promised that our administration will ensure the provision of electricity in our place. Our people have suffered for years and God has come to wipe our tears dry. It is difficult to believe, but it is true that there are some communities in Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta that have never had electricity.
“Your area and Agwa in Oguta Local Government Area are among such communities. While Waltersmith is partnering with us in Ohaji, Sterling Global is partnering with us in Oguta to ensure that the electrification projects are realized,” he announced.
“We have done a survey covering Obitti, Awarra, Ochia, Assa, Obile and Umuapu communities in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area. After the survey, we will get back to Waltersmith and ISOPADEC, which have both shown commitment to doing the electrification project.
“Before the end of this year, work will commence. The implications of this power project are far reaching. It will be connected to gas turbine, being the first of its kind in Imo. When you are connected, your place will become an industrial hub. Your place will be the most attractive for businesses. We shall develop our area,” he added.
“Why I called this meeting is to plead that you take deliberate steps to ensure the security of the electricity installations in your area. You know your children, including the bad ones.
“As you get back home, invite your children; warn them to desist from any temptation to vandalize the electricity installations. Set up systems locally to ensure adequate security of the installations,” the Deputy Governor appealed.
In his response, Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area, Mr Damian Ezeru, expressed gratitude to Mr Irona for what he described as his commitment to taking development to the door steps of people of the area.
He urged him to extend their gratitude to Governor Emeka Ihedioha for his good governance exploits, assuring him of the continued support of people of the area.
Adding his voice, member representing Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area at the Imo State House of Assembly, Mr Cyriacus Okoro, commended the state government for steps towards providing electricity in the area, assuring the Deputy Governor of their continued support.
Also speaking, Chairman of ISOPADEC, Mr Magnus Obido, commended the state government for the initiative, assuring the Governor of the continued support of people of the area.
In his submission, the traditional ruler of Assa autonomous community, Eze Emmanuel Assor, commended the Deputy Governor for changing the narrative of people of the area, particularly, reduction in violent crimes in the area.
“We are very excited that these days, we are no longer invited to recruit cult boys and people to fight our brothers, but for developmental issues. Honestly, we have never had this kind of leadership before. Now that you are laying this foundation, God will bless you,” the royal father said.
He, however, called on the government to make a declaration that “any community that allows any public infrastructure in its vicinity to be vandalized forfeits it forever.”
In their separate submissions, traditional tuler of Obile, Eze Abyssinia Ogbuji; his Obitti counterpart, Eze E.C. Odunze; Eze Ekwueme Ekwueme of Ochia and Eze A.N. Ezenwaike poured encomiums on the the Deputy Governor, describing him as a good friend of the area.
They gave their blessings to the setting up of a joint security outfit to combat crime in the area, even as they vowed to secure the electricity installations.
The monarchs further commended the state government for the new security measures in the area, pursuant to resolutions of the recent Security Summit of Ohaji/Egbema/ Oguta local government Areas.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Analysts at Coronation Research have said the inflation rate in Nigeria would be at 15.95 per cent on a year-on-year basis in April 2026 as a result of the “energy price shock stemming from the continued conflict in the Middle East, seasonal issues in regard to food prices and relative exchange rate stability.”
In a note sighted by Business Post on Friday, the research arm of the organisation further disclosed that the average price of goods and services for the month under review should rise by 2.35 per cent on a month-on-month basis versus 4.18 per cent in March 2026, reflecting continued food price firmness, offset by a cooling in the monthly inflation momentum as the March energy price shock partially unwinds.
It said the projected 2.35 per cent inflation rate signals a return toward the underlying disinflation trajectory and could be a pivotal data point in shaping Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) deliberations at the next policy meeting.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is expected to release inflation numbers for last month later today. In March 2026, the rate soared by 15.38 per cent, triggered by the war in Iran waged by the United States.
Food inflation rate in March stood at 14.31 per cent on a year-on-year basis versus 25.22 per cent in the same month of last year, but on a month-on-month basis, it slowed to 4.17 per cent from the 4.69 per cent achieved in February 2026.
This was attributed to the rate of change in the average prices of Yam, Ginger (Fresh), Cassava Tuber, Groundnuts (Shelled), Irish Potatoes, Avenger (Ogbono/Apon) – Dried Ungrinded, Tomatoes (fresh), Cassava Flour sold loose, etc, according to the stats office.
In their report, Coronation Research expects food inflation to further ease, as food and non-alcoholic beverages remain the dominant contributor to headline CPI, accounting for about 40 per cent of the CPI basket.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange further depreciated by 0.33 per cent on Wednesday, May 14, with the Unlisted Security Index (NSI) down by 13.76 points to 4,130.21 points from the previous day’s 4,143.97 points, and the market capitalisation dropping N8.23 billion to close at N2.471 trillion compared with Wednesday’s N2.479 trillion.
The unlisted securities market ended yesterday’s session with four price losers and one price gainer, led by Food Concepts Plc, which chalked up 9 Kobo to sell at N2.35 per unit, in contrast to midweek’s closing price of N2.26 per unit.
On the flip side, FrieslandCampina Wamco Plc depreciated by N1.58 to quote at N144.76 per share versus N146.34 per share, Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Plc crumbled by N1.00 to trade at N71.00 per unit versus N72.00 per unit, First Trust Mortgage Bank Plc slid by 25 Kobo to N2.27 per share from N2.52 per share, and UBN Property Plc declined by 21 Kobo to N2.04 per unit from N2.25 per unit.
During the trading day, the volume of securities traded decreased by 70.2 per cent to 417,349 units from 1.4 million units, the value of securities dropped 36.9 per cent to N23.2 million from N36.8 million, and the number of deals stumbled by 13.9 per cent to 31 deals from 36 deals.
At the close of trades, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by CSCS Plc with 60.7 million units exchanged for N4.1 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.9 million units traded for N1.9 billion.
GNI Plc was also the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units sold for N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units sold for N1.2 billion.
Economy
Mobile-First Platforms Like DeFi Hash Reflect Growing Investor Interest in AI-Driven Cloud Infrastructure and Automated Digital Asset Engagement
As the cryptocurrency market enters a new phase of global growth, investor behavior is moving beyond the “buy and hold” strategy common in previous cryptocurrency cycles. Across the digital asset industry, a growing number of users are exploring AI-driven cloud infrastructure, automated computing systems, and mobile-based digital engagement models.
Industry analysts say the convergence of AI and blockchain infrastructure is becoming one of the defining trends of 2026.
With the accelerating global demand for AI computing resources, technology companies around the world are investing heavily in cloud infrastructure, data centers, and intelligent automation systems. Meanwhile, blockchain-based infrastructure platforms are increasingly positioning themselves at the intersection of decentralized finance, cloud computing, and AI-driven resource management.
Among the many emerging platforms, DeFi Hash is attracting significant attention. DeFi Hash is a mobile-centric digital infrastructure platform focused on intelligent cloud computing services and automated infrastructure engagement.
The Transition to AI-Driven Digital Infrastructure
For years, many cryptocurrency investors have relied primarily on market appreciation and speculative trading opportunities. However, the evolving market environment and the rapid development of artificial intelligence are prompting a shift towards infrastructure-centric platforms that offer alternative participation models.
Users no longer need to purchase expensive mining hardware or manage physical systems; instead, they are increasingly seeking simplified, mobile-accessible solutions for remote participation in digital infrastructure.
DeFi Hash states that its platform aims to lower traditional barriers to entry by combining cloud architecture, automation, and distributed infrastructure systems to create a seamless user experience. These platforms are accessible via mobile devices and web platforms.
According to company information, the platform has attracted over 3.5 million registered users globally.
Flexible Participation Options
To encourage new user onboarding and streamline the access process, DeFi Hash offers various infrastructure participation models and cloud-based automated contracts.
The company states that new registered users receive promotional rewards upon registration and can participate in an entry-level program designed for short-term participation.
The platform also offers various infrastructure contract categories designed to meet the needs of different participation levels.
Stable Return Contracts
Contract Range: $500 – $2,600
Estimated Daily Return: $6.25 – $36.40
Contract Duration: 7 – 15 days
Estimated Total Return: $43 – $546
Professional Profit Contracts
Contract Range: $5,000 – $15,000
Estimated Daily Return: $77.50 – $270
Contract Duration: 20 – 25 days
Estimated Total Return: $1,550 – $6,750
Advanced Long-Term Profit Contracts
Contract Range: $30,000 – $150,000
Estimated Daily Return: $570 – $3,750
Contract Duration: 30 – 45 days
Estimated Total Return: $17,100 – $168,750
The company states that users can choose one or more participation options based on their own strategies and goals.
The convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain is expected to accelerate.
Industry insiders believe that the integration of artificial intelligence infrastructure and blockchain-based computing networks may become one of the most influential technological developments in the coming years.
With the global proliferation of artificial intelligence, the demand for scalable computing resources and automated digital infrastructure services is expected to continue to grow. Platforms integrating blockchain, cloud computing, and intelligent automation technologies will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future digital economy.
DeFi Hash states that its goal is to make cloud projects more accessible to ordinary users worldwide while continuously expanding its AI-driven infrastructure ecosystem.
For more information, please visit the company website or mobile app download page.
Official Website: https://defihash.com/
Mobile App Download: https://defihash.com/download/
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