By Deborah Coker

Alhaji Abdul Samad-Rabiu, Chairman and Founder, BUA Group, has urged Britain and its Western allies to deepen partnerships and increase investments in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Samad-Rabiu said this in an opinion piece published in the Telegraph of London, on Saturday.

The philanthropist asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms were positioning the country prominently on the global economic map.

He said that Tinubu’s decisive leadership in reforms had cut Nigeria’s official consumption of petrol by 45 per cent.

According to him, as someone who has built multinational businesses across Africa, I know the vast opportunity the continent offers, and Nigeria in particular which alone accounts for a fifth of sub-Saharan Africa’s 1.2 billion people.

“Lowering barriers to trade is crucial, and for that Britain’s ETIP looks prescient.

“However, investment and business potential will remain discounted as long as African nations cling to state intervention from subsidies and price controls to exchange rate distortions all of which have consistently bred dysfunction and economic instability.

“Fortunately, Nigeria has now decisively turned a corner, embracing market economics under a liberalising government.”

He said that the shift in policies by the Tinubu administration had projected Nigeria towards a better future.

“In making that shift, Nigeria is taking the lead for a continent to follow. So many Nigerian administrations I have known have been hostage to economic events, doubling down time and again on state intervention rather than having the conviction to reform.

“This administration is proving different. After two years of difficult reforms, Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu is now poised to fulfil the promise of its vast natural resources, rapidly growing population of over 200 million people, and strategic coastal location along the Gulf of Guinea,” he said.

The BUA founder observed the drastic fall in official consumption of petrol as one of the gains of the reforms saying “First, the Tinubu administration removed a crippling fuel subsidy; the most significant policy reform in years.

“When President Tinubu ditched the fuel subsidy on his first day in office, criticism quickly followed. However, statistics must be understood in light of the wide-ranging distortions the subsidy created.

“But that is not because Nigerians’ petrol use reduced by this amount. In reality the country was subsidising the region, with cross border fuel smugglers profiting from arbitrage.

“The illegal trade was so blatant that on a visit to neighbouring Niger a few years ago, then President Mohamed Bazoum even joked about it, thanking Nigeria for the cheap fuel. Though the move was politically unpopular, the subsidy had become unsustainable.

“Now, spending is being redirected toward development and infrastructure, laying the foundations for long-term growth,” he said.

Samad-Rabiu also said that the country had moved from a fixed to a market-determined exchange rate.

According to him, previously, only select groups could access the official rate especially those with political connections; the rest had to rely on a more expensive parallel informal market determined by supply and demand.

“But selling dollars at an artificially low rate only entrenched scarcity, a problem compounded by an opaque exchange mechanism that deterred foreign investment.

“Every two weeks, we used to make the 12-hour drive to Abuja to seek dollar allocations for imports, camping out at the Central Bank for three or four days.

“Now, I no longer need to go. I’ve met the new Governor only once in two years because I haven’t had to.

“Monetary orthodoxy has finally arrived, bringing with it the liquidity that both domestic and foreign businesses depend on to smooth trade and de-risk investment.”

He further said that the shackles of politics were being prised from business, bringing greater certainty, fairness and stability to the landscape.

“Indeed, many of the benefits of reform are still to be felt by the wider public. But economic fundamentals must be fixed before that becomes possible.

“Now that Nigeria has made it through the toughest phase, its direction should be clear to investors.

“For Britain, the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership with Nigeria is a strategic bet on reform, resilience and long-term reward.

“Nigeria is now delivering its part of the bargain. As my country steadies itself, the UK, its Western allies and their companies should deepen this partnership,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Martha Agas

Nigeria and Australia are partnering to address skills gaps in the mining sector.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said one of the key outcomes of the partnership was his recent inauguration of a two-week pilot training programme for the first batch of 11 Nigerian mining professionals at Murdoch University, Australia.

He said the initiative, with support from the Commonwealth Government, aims to address skill gaps in the mining sector and deepen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Australia.

He noted that the programme represented the realisation of a vision conceived less than two years ago.

According to the minister, the training covers a wide range of subjects, including extractive metallurgy, sustainable geochemistry, and mineral science research.

He explained that participants would also embark on field trips and engage directly with industry experts to explore mining trends, investment opportunities, and sustainability challenges.

The minister acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the efforts of the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, in bringing the vision to life.

“I also express profound gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor and Faculty of Murdoch University for opening their facilities to us so warmly.

“Establishing a working relationship with a leading mining nation like Australia is crucial to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutually beneficial development in our mining sectors,” he said.

The minister charged the participants to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and to leverage the training to enhance the country’s technical capabilities and contribute to evidence-based policy design and implementation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the 2023 Africa Down Under (ADU) Conference in Perth, Australia, the minister entered into a bilateral agreement with the Government of Western Australia.

This is through the Australian Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and Murdoch University to facilitate technical training designed to strengthen the expertise of Nigerian mining professionals. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

By Sarafina Christopher

Mr Li Ke, Secretary General of the Zhongguancun Ultra-Internet New Infrastructure Alliance has emphasised the importance of technological advancements in shaping the future of civilisation.

Ke stated this on Friday in Dunhuang during a Parallel Forum on Civilisational Reconstruction and Renewal in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

He highlighted the successful launch of China’s first global satellite, the China-China Sub-Satellite Launch Network, on May 14.

“This project not only showcases China’s technological capabilities but also demonstrates advancements in aerospace technology, reflecting a collaborative spirit in this field between China and the U.S,” he said.

He underlined the significance of innovation in AI, noting that recent developments from SIG have opened new directions for AI architecture.

“These advancements focus on improving efficiency and exploring future possibilities, rather than merely enhancing computational power and data accumulation,” he explained.

He emphasised the emergence of a new, AI-synchronised intelligent philosophy that prioritises the development of AI models for a sustainable future.

“This is no longer merely about demonstration; it represents a substantial advancement in civilisation and reflects the necessity for continuous innovation and dialogue in the age of AI,” Li said.

Mr Ni Kaomeng, Vice Chairman of Wenzhou Federation of Social Sciences; Deputy Secretary-General of Wenzhou Students Union, also shared insights on how AI can empower culture.

He recounted an initiative that invited citizens to use AI to envision the ancient Marine Silk Road port, resulting in an impressive collection of artworks.

This project led up to an AI-generated calendar, which became a central showpiece in an exhibition.

Kaomeng highlighted the use of AI-generated music and games to further spread Wenzhou culture.

“We are using AI to create vivid experiences that allow people to engage with our culture,” he said.

Currently, over 500 screens in schools, communities, and city centres showcase the stories of Wenzhou, creating a dynamic cultural environment for visitors.

He said there was the successful application for Intangible Heritage status of the tallest buildings in Wenzhou, where AI-generated short videos reached audiences of over three million people.

Kaomeng described a project that commemorated events like the founding of the Red Party and the Hong Kong handover anniversary, boasting 50 AI-generated programmes broadcast online during the Lunar New Year.

He said it attracted over five million viewers worldwide for a nominal cost.

Kaomeng also proposed a collaborative effort inviting young people globally to create short films and content that tells their stories.

“We hope to foster mutual trust and cultural understanding among young people across the globe,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Tiamiyu Arobani

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation on Wednesday evening banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States.

The countries affected are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Nationals from these countries will be “fully” restricted from entering the U.S., according to the proclamation.

Similarly, the entry of nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partially restricted.

The proclamation is effective on June 9, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT (5:01am Nigerian time).

Trump said the move was needed to protect the U.S. against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.

“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video posted on X.

The U.S. President said the list could be revised and new countries could be added.

He said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbour a “large-scale presence of terrorists”.

He alleged others failed to cooperate on visa security and had an inability to verify travellers’ identities, inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the U.S.

“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” Trump said.

Trump’s directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and “anywhere else that threatens our security”.

Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect national security threats.

That order directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their “vetting and screening information is so deficient.”

During his first term in office, Trump had announced a ban on travellers from seven countries, a policy that generated so many controversies before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

However, former President Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump, repealed the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Sarafina Christopher

The International Department of the Communist Party of China, through Contemporary World Press, has launched a Silk Road pop-up book that integrates history with modern technology to promote global digital innovation and cultural exchange.

The launch took place in Dunhuang during a Parallel Forum on Civilisational Reconstruction and Renewal in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, with the book accompanied by an AI-powered narration device.

Mr Li Shuangwu, Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief of Contemporary World Press, described the book as more than a traditional publication.

“This is a project empowered by digital technologies,” he said, noting that it transformed flat pages into an immersive 3D experience and symbolised the innovative development of traditional culture.

“Available in six languages, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish, the book highlights 15 representative post stations along the ancient Silk Road.”

Li emphasised that it was “a gift to the world,” designed to foster mutual understanding and encourage participation in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Quoting a Chinese proverb, “Read 10,000 books and travel 10,000 miles,” he encouraged cultural dialogue through the global release of the book.

Mr Lin Bingyang, Chairman of Fuzhou Hollo Cultural and Creative Co., Ltd., a pioneer in Chinese pop-up books, highlighted Dunhuang’s symbolic importance as a site of civilisational fusion.

“This project is not merely about echoing the Silk Road but constructing a timeless dialogue between civilisations,” he said.

Lin explained that the eight-meter-long 3D pop-up book brought to life the whispers of camel bells, monks, and artists from the ancient Silk Road.

“The book took nine years to create and features culturally distinct narratives in multiple languages, beyond direct translations.

“We are reinvigorating the Silk Road spirit and inviting the world to experience it in 3D,” Lin added.

Mr Ding Jianning, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Yangzhou University, noted that the Silk Road’s influence transcended time and space, continuing to connect East and West while leaving a profound mark on civilisation.

“The future of the Silk Road lies in innovation,” he said.

Dr Bridget Onochie, Abuja Bureau Chief of The Guardian Newspaper, described the enduring Silk Road spirit as a testament to human determination and resilience.

She said the modern Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, had fostered development across the Global South, including Nigeria.

“The initiative is redefining global trade and establishing a new international order based on cooperation rather than isolation,” Onochie noted.

She added that with advancements in technology and AI, “no country would be left behind in this new world order.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwesne Moru