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Nigeria, China Sign Culture and Tourism Statute
Nigeria, China Sign Culture and Tourism Statute
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have signed a joint Culture and Tourism Statute and inaugurated a sub-committee that would further strengthen bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Representatives of both countries signed the act and inaugurated the committee during a virtual event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday.
During the event, China’s Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr Zhang Xu, while recalling that Nigeria and China “have enjoyed good bilateral relations in the past 50 years,” noted that culture and tourism have played critical roles in strengthening the ties.
He revealed that the aim of adopting the act and establishing the sub-committee was to promote inter-cultural collaboration and connectivity between the Chinese and Nigerian people in furtherance of China-Africa relations.
He said the establishment of an inter-governmental committee with Nigeria is the first-ever between China and Africa, noting that this action testify to how important and strategic China considered Nigeria.
He said: “As important contributors to the strategic partnership between our two countries, culture and tourism should play greater roles in increasing the people-to-people connectivity for the benefit of the two countries.
“That is the mission of the culture and tourism sub-committee that we are establishing today.
“Therefore, members of our ministries and sub-committees must make good use of the platform in alignment with the objectives of FOCAC, its eight ministerial meetings, Belt and Road Initiative, and FOCAC Action Plan 2022-2024.”
He added that: “We must work together to offset the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact and the planned programmes that the sub-committee covers such as culture, tourism, publishing heritage, library, and museum.
“Our goal must always be to promote our interculturality, and cultural collaboration, full relationship and connectivity between China and Nigeria people in the new areas of China-Africa relations.”
Zhang advised the sub-committee to ensure the promotion of activities and events that would further boost cultural ties between both countries.
He said: “I would like to propose the following; keep working on events like Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese and African culture in focus, and resume mutual visits of artists as soon as the pandemic situation allows.
“Also, we should continue to carry out capacity building programmes in culture and tourism and support cooperation between Chinese and Nigerian cultural businesses.”
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On his part, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun said that the establishment of the Act and sub-committee on Culture and tourism is a good start to a greater future with new dynamics.
The Ambassador said that in a generation where the youth are taking the lead with great innovations, reinvigorating the culture and tourism sector will help boost both economies with mutual benefits.
According to him: “The establishment of the sub-committee on Culture and tourism is really a milestone.
“I do believe we are doing good things now because culture and tourism mean a lot to young people. We have already embarked on a new journey of mutually beneficial cooperation and we all believe that a thousand miles begin with a single step.
“The potentials of our cooperation in the fields of culture and tourism will surely be further released and a better tomorrow must belong to us.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr Ifeoma Anyawutaku, who led Nigerian team to the signing, said the potentialities in the creative sector in Nigeria were untapped and that the new cooperation would help facilitate that.
She said Nigeria will also leverage this to diversify its economy by adequately harnessing the potentials in the culture and tourism sector.
Anyawutaku said: “While taking a cursory look at the Statutes of the sub-committee on Culture and Tourism, Nigeria, as well as China have reviewed our achievements and experiences in the cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation.
“Under the framework of the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). This evaluation and experiences will help reposition the culture and tourism sector. For the development of both countries and the reinforcement of our bilateral cooperation.”
The establishment of the sub-committee and drafting of the act was an outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the foreign ministers of both countries with the aim of boosting bilateral ties.
Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi had signed the MoU on behalf of his country during his visit to Nigeria while his Nigerian counterpart, Geoffrey Onyeama signed on behalf of the Federal Government.
Nigeria, China Sign Culture and Tourism Statute
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Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Zamfara to formally receive Governor Dauda Lawal into the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Zamfara to formally receive Governor Dauda Lawal into the All Progressives Congress (APC)
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is billed to receive members of the governor’s cabinet and thousands of supporters into the APC fold at a grand reception at the Gusau Trade Fair Complex.
The Vice President was received by the governor, governors of Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Adamawa States; Umar Namadi, Uba Sani, Dapo Abiodun, and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri as well as the governors of Plateau, Kano, and Sokoto States; Caleb Mutfwang, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto.
Also on ground to receive him is the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the APC National Chairman, APC governors Forum Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, as well as ministers, party chieftains, and other dignitaries.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Zamfara to formally receive Governor Dauda Lawal into the All Progressives Congress (APC)
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ECOWAS, Energy China Explore Partnership to Strengthen West Africa’s Power Infrastructure
ECOWAS, Energy China Explore Partnership to Strengthen West Africa’s Power Infrastructure
By: Michael Mike
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has begun discussions with Energy China International (CEEC) to deepen cooperation on the development of regional energy infrastructure aimed at expanding electricity access and strengthening power systems across West Africa.
The engagement took place during a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, where officials from the ECOWAS Energy and Mines Directorate met with CEEC representatives to advance dialogue on priority regional energy projects.
The session also included participants from the West African Power Pool (WAPP), the regional body responsible for coordinating electricity generation and transmission among West African countries.
During the meeting, participants reviewed project portfolios, technical capabilities and potential financing channels designed to accelerate growth in the region’s power sector and support broader infrastructure development.
Discussions focused on exploring partnership opportunities and funding options for ECOWAS priority initiatives covering power generation, electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Acting Director of Energy and Mines at ECOWAS, William Baidoe, provided an overview of the Directorate’s mandate and ongoing programmes aimed at improving energy access across the region. These include projects to expand electricity distribution networks as well as initiatives to develop energy storage systems that can enhance the stability and reliability of power supply.
Also speaking at the meeting, Director of Planning, Investment Programming and Environmental Safeguards at WAPP, Kodjo Afidegnon, outlined the status of several priority projects under the ECOWAS Master Plan for the Development of Power Generation and Transmission Infrastructure (2019–2033).
Among the flagship initiatives highlighted were the CLSG interconnection project linking Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea; the North Core project connecting Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin; the OMVG interconnection linking Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau; and the Medium Backbone project connecting Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Afidegnon noted that the projects present significant financing and investment opportunities for development partners and international energy companies.
On behalf of CEEC, General Manager Huang Aijun highlighted the company’s expertise in conventional and renewable energy, grid expansion, power planning and electricity transmission infrastructure. He reaffirmed the company’s interest in supporting ECOWAS priority projects through technical support and access to diverse funding sources.
Both parties agreed to maintain close engagement on the identified projects in order to assess their development status and explore concrete areas of collaboration.
ECOWAS said the discussions reflect its continued efforts to build strategic partnerships and mobilise investments to improve electricity access, strengthen grid reliability and promote sustainable infrastructure development across West Africa.
ECOWAS, Energy China Explore Partnership to Strengthen West Africa’s Power Infrastructure
Sallah: FRSC deploys 620 personnel in Gombe
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Gombe Sector Command, has deployed no fewer than 620 personnel and operational logistics for the 2026 Eid-el-Fitri Special Patrol Operations.
Mr Samson Kaura, the Sector Commander of FRSC in the state disclosed this in Gombe while speaking in an interview with journalists.
Kaura said that the operation had commenced on Tuesday to end on March 22.
“The Federal Road Safety Corps, Gombe Command has deployed 620 personnel comprising regular and special marshals and operational logistics for the 2026 Eid-el-Fitr Special Patrol Operations.
“This is being done bearing in mind the kind of heavy traffic that comes with such festive period, so we are acting promptly to ensure safe and smooth travels during the Sallah celebrations,” he said.
In addition, he said 10 patrol vehicles, four ambulances and a tow truck were also deployed to serve the motoring public.
“We will enforce adherence to traffic regulations towards ensuring safety during the Sallah celebration.
“We advise drivers against engaging in dangerous driving, over speeding, route violations, overloading, use of phones while driving.
“We urge everyone to observe all traffic rules and regulations towards ensuring easy flow of traffic as personnel would be stationed on major routes.
“We must be mindful of the fact that it is only the living that can celebrate, so let’s drive safety and prioritise safety over speed or profits.
“Underage driving will not be permitted and use of drugs while driving too; we have commenced special patrol for enforcement and control of traffic,” he said.
Kaura further reiterated the command’s warnings against underage driving, particularly during the Sallah celebration in the state.
He said the call was imperative as child driving remained one of the causes of crash, alongside over speeding, overloading, dangerous driving and use of drugs and phone while driving.
He said that it had been observed that persons below 18 years drive cars, motorcycles and tricycles which he said was not permitted, stating that the FRSC would enforce compliance in that regard.
The sector commander assured the motoring populace of the command’s commitment to ensure safety while seeking their cooperation.
“I wish the Muslim faithful Happy celebration while assuring them of our readiness to serve them professionally,” he said.
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