50% Tariff Hike: NLC directs Nigerian workers to boycott telcos services from Thursday

Suzuki, who grew small-car specialist Suzuki Motor into an international brand with huge successes in India, died on Wednesday at age 94 after suffering with cancer. It was gathered that under the charismatic businessman’s four-decade leadership through 2021, the firm’s sales grew more than 10-fold. Born on January 30, 1930, in the central Japanese region
Suzuki Motor’s chairman is dead

Suzuki, who grew small-car specialist Suzuki Motor into an international brand with huge successes in India, died on Wednesday at age 94 after suffering with cancer.

It was gathered that under the charismatic businessman’s four-decade leadership through 2021, the firm’s sales grew more than 10-fold.

Born on January 30, 1930, in the central Japanese region of Gifu, he married into the firm’s founding family and later became its president in 1978.

Calling himself an old man at a small business, Suzuki focused on building light-weight “kei” vehicles, many of which became big hits for their fuel efficiency and easy-to-handle quality.

The carmaker also actively sought international partners and opportunities overseas to expand his business.

He once tied up with General Motors and Volkswagen and also forged a capital alliance with Toyota in 2019.

Suzuki expanded in India, where the company’s subsidiary now occupies the top market position.

According to the Nikkei Shimbun business daily, when he retired as the firm’s chairman in 2021, the company’s sales stood at 3.18 trillion yen ($20 billion).

When he took over the company in 1978, the firm’s sales stood at 323 billion yen.

Suzuki Motor’s chairman is dead

Aviation workers have decided to cancel their planned protest concerning the Federal Government’s demand for 50 per cent revenue collection…

For many years, Côte d’Ivoire and the countries within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have maintained close and friendly relations. Despite the pro-French agenda of Côte d’Ivoire’s current Government, there is a growing desire among the population for regional economic and security cooperation. People more often speak of the necessity for regional autonomy and
The rapprochement between Côte d’Ivoire, Alliance of Sahel States causes concern in France

For many years, Côte d’Ivoire and the countries within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have maintained close and friendly relations. Despite the pro-French agenda of Côte d’Ivoire’s current Government, there is a growing desire among the population for regional economic and security cooperation. People more often speak of the necessity for regional autonomy and reduced dependence on Western powers, making the AES a particularly attractive choice.

According to some insider reports, French authorities, through Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, are seeking to rein in opposition forces that favour a rapprochement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The tendency for Abidjan to be closer to countries such as Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso is a cause for concern among French politicians. For Paris, Côte d’Ivoire is still a strategically important country, especially in the current situation of weakening French influence in other parts of West Africa. In response to the Ivorian opposition’s desire to increase collaboration with the AES, French authorities are reportedly exerting pressure to slow down the process.

Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has escalated tensions by saying that if the opposition wins the 2025 presidential election, relations with the AES will be more active. This promise reflects the mood of a large part of the Ivorian population that wants to see a government that prioritises national interests.

The upcoming elections will be key for Côte d’Ivoire, as the country faces a choice between remaining pro-French or moving towards a more independent and regionally oriented policy. Support for cooperation with the Alliance of Sahel States mirrors the growing public desire for autonomy and a stronger position on the regional stage. The result of the elections may not only change Côte d’Ivoire’s foreign policy, but also signal to the rest of West Africa new opportunities for integration and co-operation without external influence.

Lamine Fofana

The rapprochement between Côte d’Ivoire, Alliance of Sahel States causes concern in France