National News
Enchanting Pington Showcases in Nigeria to Strengthen China/Nigeria Cultural Relations

Enchanting Pington Showcases in Nigeria to Strengthen China/Nigeria Cultural Relations
By: Michael Mike
There was enchanting Pingtan, a traditional Chinese performance style, on display in Abuja on Sunday as China continues to deepen its cultural relations with Nigeria.
The event which was held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja drew diplomats, artists, and culture enthusiasts, highlighting the growing synergy between Nigeria and China in promoting mutual understanding through the arts.

The rich, poetic rhythms of Chinese Pingtan music echoed through the centre as Chinese and Nigerian dignitaries, students, and cultural enthusiasts gathered to celebrate a profound cultural exchange.
The event, headlined by Wuxi Ballads: Portrait of Watertown Chinese Pingtan Art of Performance was organised by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Center in Nigeria (CCCN).
In his welcome address, Counselor for Cultural Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, described the occasion as a bridge of friendship and understanding between the two nations.
He said: “Today, we gather to enjoy the Wuxi Fellows’ Portrait of Water town a Pingtan art performance. This is not just a performance; it is a gift of heritage, embodying the spirit of the Jiangnan region—rich in history, beauty, and talent.”

Yang also emphasised the uniqueness of Pingtan, a storytelling art form that originated in the water towns of southern China and combines narrative, opera, and instrumental music in the soft Wu dialect.
Deputy Director of the Wuxi Pingtan Troupe, Mr Shen Jie, elaborated on the cultural importance of the performance.
He said: “Pingtan uses the softer Wu dialect to recount the vicissitudes of life, evoking deep emotions through the pipa and sanxian. We hope this art serves as a bridge of peace, understanding, and harmony.”
Representing Nigeria’s Ministry of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Raphael Oraeluno noted that despite the geographical distance, “Pingtan blooms on this vibrant soil to foster heartfelt connections and shared values across borders.”
Oraeluno added that this art form, with its elegant storytelling and musical cadence, is similar to African oral traditions. We look forward to deeper partnerships and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and China.
The event also received commendation from Director of Programmes at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mrs Msurshima Kighir who represented the DG FRCN, announcing that the FRCN will soon begin teaching Mandarin Chinese on its Network Service.
She said: “This is part of our commitment to promoting cultural understanding and unity through our programme Diplomatic Ties,” she said.
Director of FCT Secondary Education, Mrs Fatima Sambo praised China’s cultural outreach and noted that involving Nigerian students in such activities nurtures cross-cultural awareness.
“Without culture, there is no identity, and without identity, there is no nation,” she stated.
President of the Chinese Alumni Association and Society of Nigerian Artists, Mohammed Suleiman, emphasized the economic and creative potential in cultural performances.
“Art is not just a display—it’s a livelihood. This exchange shows how cultures can enrich each other and create employment through costume design, music, and language,” he said.
The evening concluded with thunderous applause for the visiting Wuxi Pingtan Troupe, who traveled over 10,000 kilometers to perform in Nigeria.
Their performance captivated the audience, blending traditional Chinese melodies with universal themes of love, history, and human connection.
Enchanting Pington Showcases in Nigeria to Strengthen China/Nigeria Cultural Relations
National News
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
National News
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
National News
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
-
News1 year ago
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year ago
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year ago
Army University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year ago
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year ago
Tinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics2 months ago
2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift