Experts Advance Magazine As Platform For Improved Nigeria- China Ties

By: Michael Mike

Experts in international relations from both Nigeria and China sides have praised the Contemporary World Magazine Nigeria has a veritable platform to advance improved ties between both countries.

This appraisal was given on Tuesday during a seminar on Advancing knowledge Exchange aimed at building strategies for the promotion and dissemination of the Contemporary World Nigeria Magazine, in Abuja.

It was a collaboration between Contemporary World China and Nigeria’s Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPRC) where both sides are publishing the Contemporary World Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Directors General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, said it is a platform to share ideas about Nigeria -China relations, China- Africa relations as well as Nigeria Africa relations.

Ochogwu said: “We are scaling up the magazine to provide the platform for knowledge sharing, knowledge dissemination and d knowledge production on how issues around innovation, inclusion can flourish.”

He explained that the aim is to expand infrastructure development and economic growth in Africa and Nigeria, stressing that it has become incumbent on stakeholders to ensure that the narrative fits the development trajectory that President Bola Tinubu is pushing alongside his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping.

He noted that: “The publication stands as both a mirror and a bridge of Nigeria- China cooperation, a mirror that reflects the evolving global landscape through African perspectives and a bridge that connects diverse peoples and political cultures through dialogue, understanding and shared development goals.

“The promotion and dissemination of the magazine converges with the upgrade of the Nigeria- China relations from the Strategic Partnership to the Comprehensive Strategic partnership during President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to Beijing in September 2024.”

He added that since its launch in Nigeria in 2022, the Contemporary World Nigeria Magazine has played a unique role in promoting academic, political and cultural exchanges between Africa and China.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, said the magazine represents an ever deepening academic and cultural exchanges between Nigeria, which enhance culture understanding, facilitate academic and cultural interaction and give impetus to the development of state to state relations.

The envoy, who was represented by Counselor Wang Jun, said that the magazine has come to represent a new vision for expanding ties especially in the period that is replete with the game of big powers and the rise of unilateralism.

He said “the magazine should become a national social science core journal. Combining authority and knowledge, melting the world’s latest information into a furnace, focusing on a unique perspective to authoritatively analyse the worlds’ focus, in-depth analysis of international relations, and disseminating information on the politics, economy, society, military, culture and life of various countries.”

The guest Speaker, Mr. Charles Onunaiju said the magazine provides a robust platform to strengthen China Africa relations for mutual benefits. He added that Africans and Nigerians must explore this opportunity to increase their knowledge about China and how the Chinese transformed their society for the better by expanding their intellect and strategic thinking.

Experts Advance Magazine As Platform For Improved Nigeria- China Ties

ECOWAS Calls for Investment in Plastic Eco-innovation to Ward of Threat of Pollution

…Reaffirms commitment to clean environment

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called upon all stakeholders in the region to Invest in eco-innovation and plastic alternatives as part of the efforts to address plastic pollution in the region.

The West African sub-region is said to generate nearly eight (8) million metric tonnes (MT) of plastic waste every year, a figure that is set to rise by 52% in the next five years.

More than 80 per cent of plastic waste is reported to be poorly managed in West Africa, adversely affecting human health, ecosystems and blue-economy sectors such as fishing and tourism.

ECOWAS made the call in Abuja on Tuesday at an occasion commemorating the World Environment Day, with the theme: “Together, We Can Beat Plastic Pollution”.

The Commission expressed worries that plastic pollution has become a transboundary problem that requires a coordinated regional response.

The Commissioner, Economic Affairs & Agriculture, Massandje Toure-Litse, speaking on the need to tackle plastic pollution,, said, is a test of the region’s resolve to act together, as governments, private sector actors, civil society, and citizens.

Toure-Litse, who was represented by the Acting Director, Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Yao Bernard Koffi, therefore reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to a clean environment.

The ECOWAS commissioner said: “There is growing recognition that plastic pollution is a transboundary problem that requires a coordinated regional response.

“Tackling plastic pollution is a test of our resolve to act together — as governments, private sector actors, civil society, and citizens.

“ It is fitting that in this landmark year, we reaffirm our commitment to a clean, resilient, and sustainable environment for future generations.

“The theme for this year, “Together, We Can Beat Plastic Pollution”, resonates deeply with our regional priorities. Plastic pollution is not only a global menace but a regional and national crisis.

“There is growing recognition that plastic pollution is a transboundary problem that requires a coordinated regional response. ECOWAS has therefore committed to addressing persistent challenges by adopting Regulation C/REG.17/12/23 on plastics management in 2023, requiring member states to harmonize regulations on plastic products and adopt best practices in plastic waste management.

“Let us be reminded that this challenge is not insurmountable.”

The Commissioner also noted that it is not all gloomy as Ghana and Nigeria are witnessing innovative approaches, scaling up circular economy initiatives.

She also revealed that Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have introduced plastic bag bans and extended producer responsibility frameworks, while noting that the ECOWAS Commission is supporting Member States to harmonize environmental standards and promote green industrialization.

The Commissioner added that: “But we must do more collectively and urgently. The ECOWAS Vision 2050 identifies environmental sustainability as a pillar of inclusive development. Tackling plastic pollution is a test of our resolve to act together — as governments, private sector actors, civil society, and citizens.

“To this end, a draft regional plastics management plan has been developed with support from the World Bank.

“We call upon all stakeholders in the region to: Invest in eco-innovation and plastic alternatives; Support community-led waste management solutions; Strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations; and Foster youth-driven climate action, because the future belongs to them.”
She further added: “As we celebrate World Environment Day in this Jubilee Year, may our legacy be one of action over words, solutions over excuses, and unity over indifference. The ECOWAS Commission stands ready to work side-by-side with Nigeria and all partners to beat plastic pollution not tomorrow, but today.
“Let us rise to this moment. Let us protect our environment.”

On his part, Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said “Plastic pollution is not just an environmental issue but also an economic and public health crisis.”

He decried that every minute, plastic waste is being dumped into our oceans, rivers, and drainage systems, endangering wildlife and contributing to flooding in our urban centres.

He decried that: “Like many other nations, Nigeria faces significant challenges in managing plastic waste.”

He said the country suffers from burden of unchecked plastic pollution.

Lawal said: “Our cities and rural communities suffer from the burden of unchecked plastic pollution ranging from sachet water bags littering our streets to microplastics entering our food chain and causing public health concerns.”

He therefore assured ECOWAS of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s commitment to a cleaner, greener, and more resilient environment.

“I would like to assure you that the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is committed to a cleaner, greener, and more resilient environment. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are taking decisive steps to address plastic pollution at all levels,” he said.

The Minister also listed efforts made by the Nigeria government to tame plastic pollution to include: developing and implementing a National Policy on Plastic Waste Management, which provides a strategic framework for reducing plastic use, promoting recycling, and encouraging innovation in alternatives to single-use plastics.

He also noted that the ministry is supporting innovative circular economy models to drive recycling and promote plastic alternatives, especially across government ministries, departments, and agencies.

He added that the ministry launched the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme, which mandates producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their plastic products—from production to disposal.

He said that “The Ministry is collaborating with key stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society to ensure that environmental policies translate into meaningful impact.”

ECOWAS Calls for Investment in Plastic Eco-innovation to Ward of Threat of Pollution

Benue Killings: President Tinubu Asked to be Audacious in Seeking Solution

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu has been asked to be audacious in the battle to end insecurity and incessant attacks and killings in parts of the country.

Reacting to recent Benue killings which left scores dead, an hostile environment journalist and Chairman, Northern Christian Youth Professionals, Isaac Abrak in a letter to President Bola Tinubu, copy of which was made available journalists, said: “But we cannot afford to fold our arms in despair. We must act differently. We must try something new, even if it has never been attempted anywhere in the world. For the sake of our people—our children, our farmers, our security personnel—we must do something bold to stop this carnage.”

Abrak, while stating that “many of those who will oppose this letter are not the ones burying loved ones or watching their communities burn. They analyze from afar, removed from the pain. But real solutions come from those who feel the loss, from the hearts of those closest to the suffering. The Forest Guard must be led not by theories, data sheets, or “Harvard-trained analysts” alone—but by those who bleed when our villages bleed,” said: “I write this letter with a heavy heart. As someone who has spent most of my life reporting from hostile zones across our region, it has become painfully clear that the cycle of killings in our beloved country—particularly in the Middle Belt, as seen again in Benue—is unrelenting.

“Despite the gallant efforts of our military, police, and other security agencies, the attacks persist. Each time our forces strike a blow against the perpetrators, they appear to retreat briefly—only to re-emerge with even greater violence, targeting our most vulnerable: poor, innocent rural dwellers.”

Abrak said: “Mr. President, you understand this urgency. That is why you honored your campaign promise by approving the establishment of the Armed Forest Guard —a groundbreaking initiative that has all the potentials to be the game-changer we desperately need.

“We believe that this Forest Guard has the potential to work—100 percent. Why? Because history in Nigeria has already shown us the way.

“When you introduced LASMA and LAWMA in Lagos, you transformed the so-called “Area Boys”—once a nuisance on our streets—into contributors to order and cleanliness. When CJTF was established in Borno, the same young men once targeted by Boko Haram were mobilized to protect their communities, and they became a vital force in pushing the terrorists back.”

He said: “Mr. President, after 16 years of reporting from conflict zones, I can say with conviction that those responsible for these killings are not strangers—they are often part of the very communities we are trying to protect. Whether they are Fulani, Tiv, or from any other ethnic group, they are either complicit or, at the very least, enabling the violence.

“That is why the Forest Guard must be community-driven. Carefully selected young men and women—hunters, ex-servicemen, with deep roots and love for their communities—should be recruited to defend their forests. If implemented with sincerity, this initiative will succeed just like LASMA, LAWMA, and CJTF did.

“Of course, there will be critics—there always are. Many will see only the challenges and not the possibilities. But you have shown time and again that real leadership is about confronting problems, not running from them. I was in Lagos and witnessed firsthand how you stood firm in the face of criticism to birth innovations that have since transformed lives.”