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The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee
The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee
By: Michael Mike
The following is the full text of the statement.
Joint Statement of the First Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee between the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria
On June 21, 2024, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, held talks with H.E. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The two ministers co-chaired the first Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee.
The two sides reviewed the positive outcomes achieved since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria over the past more than 50 years, jointly planned the future development of the bilateral relations, exchanged views on China-Africa relations and major international and regional issues of mutual interest, and reached wide range consensus.
The two sides agreed that over the past more than 50 years, China-Nigeria relations have withstood the test of changes in the international landscape and have become increasingly resilient and more robust. The two countries have developed a good tradition of mutual trust on political and diplomatic issues, mutual benefit in practical cooperation, mutual support in international affairs, and mutual learning in people-to-people exchanges.
Both countries pledged to support each other in their aspirations in various international fora, particularly the UN, G20 and BRICS.
The Government of Nigerian side acknowledges that there is but one China in the world, the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. Nigeria opposes any separatist activities of “Taiwan independence” in any form, and any external attempts to interfere in China’s internal affairs, and Nigeria will also support the efforts made by the Chinese government to realize national reunification.
The two sides agreed to work towards good governance and democratic values, peace, security and stability in the Sahel region and recognize Nigeria’s leading role in the fight against terrorism and other related transborder crimes. It was also agreed that necessary efforts towards ensuring economic viability of the region would be pursued through infrastructure development and sectoral cooperation.
China commends His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership role in ECOWAS and his efforts towards bringing about stability in the region.
Both governments committed to intensifying efforts to protect the rights and dignity of each others’ citizens living in its country and create a business-friendly environment for their business.
The two sides agreed to support each others’ efforts to promote reunification, ethnic unity and social harmony, endeavor to enhance political mutual trust, and further support each other on matters related to its core interests and major concerns.
The two sides stressed the importance of the Forum on Chin-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to China-Africa relations and international peace and development and Nigeria supports China in hosting the 2024 FOCAC Summit.
The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs and jointly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law. The two sides advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all and jointly promotes building a community with a shared future for humanity. Nigeria applauds and supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping.
Both countries are dedicated to advancing the high-quality Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and FOCAC conference outcomes, with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the Eight Priority Areas proposed by President Tinubu, and jointly promoting high-quality, practical cooperation in an all-around manner.
The two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, electricity, telecommunications, finance, agriculture, industry, mining and free trade zones. Both countries will jointly explore cooperation opportunities in fields such as digital economy, green economy and blue economy, and they will foster new growth drivers in cooperation.
The Chinese side is willing to expand imports of Nigerian agricultural products. The Nigerian side called for increased partnership in Mining and Solid Mineral development and expressed willingness to partner with Chinese companies to establish manufacturing companies in Nigeria for local consumption and exports.
The two sides stand ready to create an open, transparent, fair and non-discriminatory business environment for the corporate cooperation between the two countries, strengthen the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, oppose trade protectionism, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. The two sides support more Chinese and Nigerian provinces and municipalities/States and Local Governments in establishing more friendly relations and encouraging sister cities.
China expressed its commitment to support Nigeria in upgrading its science and technology in the military sector, equipment, and capacity building of intelligence to respond more effectively to traditional and non-traditional security challenges at home and aboard, as well as at the regional and international levels, and to safeguard peace and stability of the country.
The two sides are willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the departments in charge of military security, military industry and trade, and police enforcement, to enhance their capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and security interests, and make joint efforts to maintain regional and world peace.
The two countries restated their commitment to enhancing the mutual bond and friendship between the two peoples, mutual trust, interest sharing and common progress through mutual exchanges, mutual leaning and mutual understanding.
The two countries are willing to continue to build culture brands such as the Happy Chinese New Year, Chinese-Nigeria Culture Week, Chinese-Nigeria Film Festival, and Abuja International Art Fair. The two sides will strengthen mutual visits and exchanges between art groups and personnel, promote human resources training in the fields of culture and tourism, and support cooperation in the fields of creative culture between the two sides. The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in cultural and tourism fields such as publishing, film and television production, cultural heritage, libraries, museums, and tourism promotion.
The two sides confirmed their readiness to maintain regular contacts and close communication at all levels on convening the second Plenary Session of the China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee and Sessions of its Sub-committees.
The People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria issued a joint statement of their first plenary session of the intergovernmental committee
Mother raises alarm as 2-year-old daughter stolen from hotel in Aba
By: Zagazola Makama
A 20-year-old woman, Elizabeth Alaoma, has reported the disappearance of her two-year-old daughter, Precious Ahiwe, under suspicious circumstances while lodging at a hotel in Aba, Abia State.
The incident occurred on the night of July 22, after Alaoma checked into Hotel De California in the city with her daughter, following an invitation by a man identified as Promise and a woman he introduced as his sister.
According to Alaoma, Promise took her out under the guise of buying food around 10:00 p.m., but later abandoned her at the food vendor’s location. She rushed back to the hotel only to discover that her daughter, Promise, and the woman had all vanished, and the hotel room key had already been returned to the receptionist.
A search at the hotel led to the recovery of the child’s clothes. Two hotel staff the receptionist, Victor Uzoma (17), and the manager, Emmanuel Kalu (35) were taken into custody for questioning.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover the missing child as investigations continue.
End
Correctional officer allegedly murders apprentice, dumps body, dies by suicide in Lokoja
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic incident has shocked residents of Lokoja, Kogi State, after a senior officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service allegedly killed a 26-year-old photography apprentice, concealed his body in a freezer, and later took his own life in a hotel.
Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Monday, July 22, and involved a Deputy Superintendent of Corrections (DSC), Adebayo Oluwapelumi, who until his death was attached to the Kogi State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
According to witness accounts, the case came to light after Ujah Goodness, a photographer with a studio located opposite the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, reported the matter.
Goodness stated that around 7:50 p.m. on the day of the incident, he was editing photographs with his apprentice, Ayo Ayipelumi, aged 26, when the Correctional officer, Adebayo, arrived at the studio and called the apprentice outside for a brief conversation.
Moments later, Goodness said he heard frantic screams from his apprentice calling for help. However, out of fear, he did not step outside to investigate but instead quickly contacted local vigilantes to intervene.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly attacked and killed Ayipelumi. He then reportedly placed the victim’s lifeless body inside a deep freezer, loaded it into a white unregistered Hilux van, and drove off to an undisclosed location.
Acting on the report, security personnel launched a search for the vehicle. It was later found abandoned around the Nataco Junction area of Lokoja. Although the corpse was no longer in the vehicle, investigators found blood stains inside the freezer and recovered a machete believed to have been used in the attack. Photographs of the scene were taken, and the vehicle along with the exhibit was moved to the station for forensic examination.
Efforts to trace the whereabouts of the suspect and recover the victim’s body were still ongoing when a new development emerged.
At about 12:10 p.m. the next day, the management of Abidan 115 Guest Inn in Lokoja contacted authorities after discovering a lifeless body in one of their rooms. The deceased was identified as the suspect, Adebayo Oluwapelumi.
Upon arrival at the hotel, investigators found the suspect naked and lying dead on the floor. A suicide note, a bottle of Sniper insecticide, and a plastic Coca-Cola bottle were recovered at the scene, suggesting that he ingested the toxic substance.
Photographs of the scene were taken, and the body was evacuated to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead. His corpse was deposited at the hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.
The whereabouts of the victim’s body remains unknown as of the time of filing this report.
Investigation is ongoing to unravel the full motive behind the gruesome killing and to trace the missing remains of the apprentice.
Correctional officer allegedly murders apprentice, dumps body, dies by suicide in Lokoja
Gunmen kill one, abduct seven in Taraba community attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed men suspected to be bandits on Wednesday invaded Ilela village in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State, killing one person and abducting seven others, including women and a child.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the assailants stormed the village at about 10 a.m., shooting sporadically to scare residents before abducting their victims.
One of the villagers, Umaru Belangu, who reported the incident to security personnel, said the gunmen killed 35-year-old Abdu Dahiru during the attack.
Those kidnapped include Ladi Abdu (20), Salamatu Sani, Ramatu Sani, Marka Kabiru, Kabiru Sani, and a 10-year-old boy, Yau Alh. Lawan. All the victims are of Fulani origin and residents of Ilela village.
Following the report, a team of security personnel was immediately mobilised to the area, where they visited the scene and recovered two empty shells of ammunition.
Photographs were taken, and a search operation was launched in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante members to track the perpetrators and rescue the abductees.
Authorities say intensified monitoring and patrols are ongoing in the area to prevent further attacks and apprehend those responsible.
Gunmen kill one, abduct seven in Taraba community attack
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