Wushu Championship Returns to Abuja 7 Years After Inaugural Event

By: Michael Mike

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, has announced the forthcoming Chinese Ambassador’s Cup Wushu Championship, also known as the China-Nigeria Friendship Cup.

The sporting event is scheduled to take place at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, from October 29 to 31, 2025. The event takes a berth seven years after it inaugural edition was held.

The event, jointly organised by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria and the Abuja Wushu Association, aims to foster deeper cultural exchange and friendship between both countries, Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counsellor and Director of the China Cultural Centre, said.

Yang said the Wushu, is a traditional Chinese martial art that promotes peace, respect, and self-development.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Mr. Jianxing described the tournament as “a meaningful and interesting event” that reflects the shared cultural values of both nations.

“The purpose of this event is to create an opportunity to bring together athletes and lovers of Wushu to appreciate the beauty and spirit of Chinese martial arts.

“Wushu is not merely a competition or a tool for fighting. It is a discipline that teaches self-defence, respect, and the responsibility of the strong to protect the weak.”

Jang added that the event embodies the principles of peace, inner strength, and discipline—virtues that both Chinese and Nigerian cultures cherish deeply.”

He further emphasised that Wushu serves as a bridge of cultural understanding, promoting unity and mutual respect between peoples.

“Cultural exchange is one of the pillars of China-Nigeria relations. Through Wushu, we strengthen mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation.

“Our goal is to share the beauty of both our civilisations and help our peoples grow stronger and happier,” he said.

He said “Our friendship with Nigeria ranks among the strongest in Africa. We believe cultural understanding is the foundation of lasting cooperation.”

The Chinese envoy also revealed that the competition will be made a yearly event.

He said the 2025 Championship marks the second edition of the Chinese Ambassador’s Cup, following the maiden event held about seven years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted subsequent plans.

“We hope to make this an annual event,” he said. “Let this year’s competition be a wonderful opportunity to share the spirit and friendship of our two countries.”

He reiterated that the event would be conducted under international Wushu standards, supervised by trained referees, and affiliated with the International Wushu Federation (IWUF).

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Mykel Eneduwa, a representative of the Nigerian Wushu Kung Fu Federation and co-organiser, highlighted the broader vision behind the competition.

“Wushu is a tool for peace, respect, and integrity values that help shape the future leaders of tomorrow.

“This championship goes beyond combat. It’s about building character, discipline, and friendship between our two nations.”

He disclosed that the tournament will feature six competitive divisions, including Taiji, Sanshu, Sanda (male and female weight categories), team forms, and creative forms.

“This is one of the few times Nigerian athletes will be rewarded financially for competing in Wushu,” Eneduwa noted.

“The Chinese Embassy’s magnanimity has made this possible, and we are deeply grateful.”

He explained that this year’s China–Nigeria Friendship Cup will feature six divisions, including Taiji (Tai Chi), Sanshou (Sanda), team forms, creative forms, and various weight categories for both male and female participants. Eneduwa added that registration is free, while accommodation and feeding would be provided for athletes during the championship.

Representative of the National Sports Commission, Mr. Sesan Adeboyejo, commended the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre for their sustained partnership in promoting grassroots sports and cultural understanding.

“This collaboration between the National Sports Commission, the Nigerian Wushu Kung Fu Federation, and the Chinese Embassy reflects our shared vision for youth development.

“Wushu instills discipline and self-control—qualities that are vital for our youth,” he said.

He further explained that the event provides a unique opportunity for young Nigerians to channel their energy positively while deepening their understanding of Chinese culture.

The organisers invited the public, martial arts enthusiasts, and families to attend the three-day championship. Spectators are required to register online or present invitation cards due to limited capacity at the velodrome.

The event will be open to both professional athletes and newcomers, with special consideration for young participants in the Taiji and form categories, while combat events (Sanda) will maintain an age limit of 17 years and above.

More than 150 athletes from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate. Registration for athletes is free, with accommodation and feeding provided at no cost.

To encourage participation and excellence, the organisers announced cash prizes for top performers — ₦500,000 for first place, ₦300,000 for second, and ₦200,000 for third, with additional consolation prizes for effort and perseverance.

Wushu Championship Returns to Abuja 7 Years After Inaugural Event

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

VP Shettima: President Tinubu Building Inclusive prosperity Through Enterprise-driven Reforms

Launches 9th Expanded MSMEs Clinic in Katsina, commissions state-owned multi-billion projects

• Attends state’s first MSME Awards

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the unwavering focus of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on building inclusive prosperity through enterprise-driven reforms in Nigeria.

“We are building a nation where every Nigerian entrepreneur — from our cities to our rural communities — has access to the tools and opportunities needed to thrive. This is the spirit of enterprise that will drive Nigeria’s renewed hope,” he declared.

Senator Shettima stated this on Tuesday when he launched the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinic in Katsina State, just as he announced President Tinubu’s approval of Federal Government’s ₦250,000 grant for each outstanding Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) exhibiting at the Clinic.

He said the grant approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is part of his administration’s renewed efforts to strengthen the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and promote inclusive growth.

Speaking during the launch of the Expanded MSME Clinic, VP Shettima disclosed that the administration has introduced several other major support programmes, including a ₦75 billion Manufacturers Fund to provide financial support to businesses in the manufacturing sector.

The Vice President said the ₦250,000 grant is a non-repayable intervention designed to empower innovative entrepreneurs and support the administration’s drive for enterprise-led national transformation.

“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved an unconditional grant of ₦250,000 for each outstanding MSME exhibiting at today’s clinic. This is a non-repayable grant. It reflects the President’s commitment to removing the barriers that have historically held back our MSMEs,” he said.

In his address titled, “Katsina: The Spirit of Enterprise,” the Vice President described MSMEs as the foundation of national foresight and a vital pillar of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We came into office bearing the promise to ease the affairs of our nation, and our gateway to this is the assurance of support for our businesses. Our micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises stand as the foundation of this foresight, and that explains our presence here in Katsina today,” he said.

He commended Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for his leadership and innovation in enterprise development, noting that the establishment of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) demonstrated a strong commitment to building a thriving business ecosystem.

VP Shettima announced that under the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development (RAPID), 23 MSMEs in rural Katsina had received ₦112 million in support to scale up their operations.

He further disclosed that the ₦5 billion Katsina State MSME Growth Fund, a joint initiative between the Federal and State Governments, had already disbursed ₦576 million to 237 beneficiaries since its launch in June 2024.

“This matching fund is designed to boost local businesses, and Katsina has shown that it understands what it means to empower entrepreneurs,” Shettima said.

Earlier, Governor Dikko Radda said the priority accorded to MSMEs in the state
stemmed from the acknowledgement of the impact of MSMEs on economic growth, noting that enterprise development remains a cornerstone of his administration’s blueprint which is transforming over 100,000 small businesses across the state.

While appreciating the commitment and passion of the Vice President for MSME development in Nigeria, the governor assured that the state government will continue to nurture and track the progress of all participants of the 9th MSME clinics to ensure that their growth is sustained and their needs of market access and business development.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, said the Tinubu administration is coordinating development partners and stakeholders to address bottlenecks facing small business enterprenuers across the country.

He said issues around access to finance and market outreach is progressively being addressed through specialised government interventions and target programmes of the Federal Government.

In separate remarks, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, and his Arts, Culture and Creative Economy counterpart, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, applauded the resilience and commitment of the state government on collaboration with other stakeholders to tackle critical issues confronting MSMEs, including capacity building for job creation and economic expansion.

Good will messages were delivered by the chief executives of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) Bank, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), and Bank of Industry (BOI), among other representatives of partners.

Shortly after the launch of the 9th Expanded National MSME Clinics, the Vice President commissioned the dual carriage of Central Mosque – Kofar Murasa -Kiddies Roundabout to WTC Roundabout Road 4 and the state-of-the-arts Agricultural Data and Control Center for the Katsina State Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA).

Speaking on the significance of the two projects executed by the state government, the Vice President commended the vision and foresight of the state, saying through platforms like KASPA, agriculture can be made aspirational again, “a career for the young, a calling for the ambitious, and a catalyst for the creative.”

Applauding the state governor, he said the launch of KASPA resonates far beyond Katsina, telling “a national story: that when states innovate, Nigeria rises.

“It tells the story of a government, like the Katsina State Government that believes in its people’s intelligence, not just their endurance. It tells the story of a future where policy and people finally speak the same language — the language of results.

“So, to the Governor and the people of Katsina, I say: the nation is proud of you. You have not waited for solutions from Abuja; you have built your own. To our partners and implementers: thank you for your diligence. To our farmers: we see you; we honour your labour; and we commit to standing with you; in policy, in infrastructure, and in innovation,” the VP further stated.

Meanwhile, on arrival in Katsina on Monday evening, Vice President Shettima graced the maiden Katsina MSME Awards and the graduation ceremony of the Dikko Innovation Academy.

Speaking at the event, Senator Shettima lauded the legacies of Katsina’s rich heritage in education, culture and hospitality, urging the people of the state to key into President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by learning from the state’s historic legacies.

He said, “Katsina must transform again by processing what it already produces best. As we try to consolidate the development processes with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as deepen the content of our democracy. Indeed, it is always good to come to Katsina.

“This remarkable city provided the ambience, the hospitality, and the facilities to educate and culture generations of people that we all continue to valorise as our founding fathers.”

VP Shettima: President Tinubu Building Inclusive prosperity Through Enterprise-driven Reforms

Nigeria, South Africa Meet to Resolve Visa, other issues

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and South Africa have agreed to resolve the issues of visa restrictions between both countries.

Both countries are in the process of adopting simplified visa processes for business people.

At a meeting of top government functionaries from the two African powerhouses in Abuja on Tuesday, they both reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the area of trade and investment, defence, energy and people to people exchanges.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu led her nation’s delegation while the South Africa’s team was led by the country’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Thandi Moraka to the Abuja Political Consultations between both countries.

Both countries, according to a communique issued at the end of the meeting also agreed to address challenges that hinder greater economic integration.

The political consultation was meant to strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship, cooperation, solidarity between the two countries, and pursuant to the decision to adopt and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations during the 10th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in Abuja, Nigeria in December 2021.

After much deliberations, the meeting, according to the communique reviewed the following amongst others:

“In terms of the Liberalisation of Visa Restrictions, it was noted that both countries are in the process of adopting simplified visa processes for businesspeople to remedy persisting visa-related challenges”.

The two Ministers also welcomed “the finalisation of the MoU on the Early Warning Mechanism, seeing it as a transformative tool in addressing consular and migration issues. They emphasized that effective implementation of the MoU is crucial to strengthening coordination, streamlining the movement of people and goods between the two countries, thereby contributing to social, cultural, technical, scientific, tourism, and private business sector growth.”

The communique also stated “Both sides acknowledged that the cultural exchanges between the two countries remain strong. Nigeria and South Africa cooperate in the film industry through an official Audio-Visual Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2021. This agreement facilitates co-production, skills transfer, investment, and joint promotion of their audio-visual sectors. Collaborations include sharing technical expertise, shooting on location in both countries, and joint participation in industry events.

“In the area of Transport, it was noted with satisfaction that the MoU between South Africa and Nigeria on the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was signed on 17 January 2025 in Johannesburg.”

The parties also discussed “the MoU on Standards and Standardisation between the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) that could not be signed in Cape Town during the BNC held in 2024. It was agreed that it would be signed in March, 2025”.

Nigeria and South Africa, the communique also said would work towards the operationalisation of the Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (JMACITI).

The Session, the communique also noted expressed concern that the 3rd Consular and Migration Forum (CMF) has not taken place and requested that this be convened during the 1st quarter of the year 2026 in Pretoria, and matters related to migration and consular be discussed and reviewed as was agreed in the 10th BNC.”

The meeting commended the work of the Defence and Security Working Group, which convened the 6th Session of the Defence Committee (DEFCOM) in Abuja from 1-5 September 2025, to review progress on the implementation of the 11th BNC decision. “The co-chairs encouraged other Working Groups to intensify efforts to ensure the timely execution of all agreed decisions.

The meeting also applauded the formal establishment of a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC), which is to be co-chaired by the leaders of the Working Groups. The JIC will serve as the monitoring and evaluation mechanism and structure of all the bilateral issues that have been agreed upon in the last two (2) BNCs held in 2021 and 2024, and Political Consultation, as well as future engagements. The Session also directed that the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) must meet quarterly (virtually) for monitoring and evaluation in order to manage the implementation of all BNC decisions.

They also expressed commitment to holding regular Political Consultations for continued bilateral engagements.

“The Co-chairs acknowledged the work that is underway in preparation for the G20 Africa Outreach meeting on Industrialization and Agriculture, that will be hosted in Abuja on 3 November 2025. This meeting will amplify Africa’s perspectives on industrialization, sustainable agriculture, and value-chain development within the global economic agenda.

The Parties agreed that the next Political Consultation, which would be preceded by the Mid-Term Review Meeting, would be held in Abuja, Nigeria, in 2026 on dates and venues to be mutually agreed, and conveyed through diplomatic channels.

Nigeria, South Africa Meet to Resolve Visa, other issues