By Busayo Onijala

The Minister of State, Steel Development, Maigari Ahmadu, has urged Chinese investors to explore and forge mutually beneficial relationships in sectors including steel development, agriculture, manufacturing, technology and renewable energy.

Representing Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Ahmadu made this known at a Business Forum hosted by China Industrial and Commercial Enterprise Association on Friday night, in Lagos.

Ahmadu said the new administration was investing heavily in critical infrastructure, including roads, ports, and energy.

These developments, he said, would not only facilitate the movement of goods and services but also create opportunities for investments.

Ahmadu said Nigeria was committed to enhancing its investment climate, understanding that for businesses to thrive, they required a stable and conducive environment.

“Nigeria is rich in natural resources from oil and minerals to a fertile agricultural landscape. These resources provide a solid foundation for businesses in various industries.

“We view Chinese investors not merely as financiers, but as partners in our journey toward the economic prosperity of our country.

“It is in the light of this that we are using this opportunity to emphasise collaboration between our nations which can bring about transformative change,” he said.

He described Nigeria as a land of immense opportunities, adding that with a population of over 200 million people, the country represented the largest consumer market.

He noted that investments in the country had the potential to reach millions of eager consumers because of its strategic position in West Africa,  offering Chinese investors a gateway to broader regional markets.

“We are committed to responsible business practices that will benefit people, protect our environment and ensure long term businesses.

“We invite our Chinese friends to join us on this exciting journey of growth, innovation, and prosperity.

“We sincerely look forward to building a brighter and a more prosperous future with the People’s Republic of China,” he said.

Guo Pengwen, Commercial Consul at the Chinese Consulate in Lagos, lauded the existing cooperation between both countries, noting that it had a huge potential.

Representing Ms Yan Yuqin, Chinese Consul General, Pengwen said investment from China was helpful to  Nigeria’s economic prosperity, increased the local government tax revenue, improved employment and promoted industrial development.

He said that in terms of the steel industry, no other countries could do better than China.

According to Pengwen, in 2022, China produced more than one billion tons of steel, accounting for 55 percent globally.

“China can produce normal steel and the special steel which are used in different fields.

“Normal steel used in the real estate space but special steel is used to make high-speed railways, spaceships and aircraft carriers.

“The Chinese enterprises also have the awareness of environmental protection, sustainable development and low carbon emission.

“China and nigeria have good economic cooperation. Many Chinese enterprises have invested in Nigeria and I believe there will be bright future for our countries,” he said.

On his part, Dr Eric Ni, Chairman, China Industrial and Commercial Enterprise Association, said that the Chinese community  was committed to giving back to Nigerians.

He noted that one of the ways they did this was by empowering low-income students with scholarships.

“We’ve given over 6,000 scholarships and renovated five primary schools in Lagos. We will continue to do more as long as we are here,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

AA guber candidate in Kogi promises to end infrastructure decay

By Thompson Yamput

Chief Olayinka Braimoh, candidate of Action Alliance (AA) at the forthcoming Nov. 11 governorship election in Kogi has pledged to end infrastructure decay in towns and villages in the state.

Addressing a campaign rally at IIuke community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state on Friday, Braimoh expressed shock that the area had been without electricity, roads and potable water in 14 years.

“For more than 14 years, IIuke community has been without electricity; its neighbours, Akutupa and Ayetoro Kiri had found it difficult to sell their farm produce outside their villages because of bad roads.

“I assure you that your plights would come to an end if I win the Nov. 11 governorship election

“I have seen the hardship of the people and the level of infrastructure decay plaguing your communities.

“Vote for me as your governor and I will emancipate you as soon as I get into office. This is because the deplorable road condition here is bad for commerce.

“For us to be able to empower our people, infrastructure is critical. We are focused on winning this election for the liberation of our people from poverty,’’ Braimoh said.

The governorship candidate was warmly received at Ayetoro Kiri, Akutupa, Iluke, Ofere and other Bunu villages visited during the tour.

Braimoh also paid homage to traditional rulers in the areas.

Inhabitants of communities visited complained of neglect by successive administrations in Kogi and expressed optimism about Braimoh’s victory at the polls. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

========

Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Rita Iliya

The Victims Support Fund (VSF), in collaboration with the Niger Government has launched the distribution of food items to 3,000 victims of terrorism in the state.

Gov. Umaru Bago, while speaking at the inauguration of the VSF 2023 Improving Livelihood and Empowering Communities in Minna on Friday,  said the partnership was to support the weak and victims of terrorism and other forms of vices.

Bago, represented by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba, said victims of terrorism were faced with various challenges ranging from poor hygiene to lack of access to education and economic downturn.

“The predicaments are alarming and all hands must be on deck to reverse the ugly trend,” he said.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring that lasting peace and security was restored to the various communities.

The governor also called on VSF to expand its scope to reach out to victims of flood and other public health issues with a view to reaching a wilder populace.

Earlier, Prof. Nana Tanko, Executive Director, VSF, said that 3,000 households from Lapai, Shiroro and Kontagora Local Government Areas would benefit from the food items.

She listed the items for distribution to include rice, beans, vegetable oil, sugar and seasoning.

Tanko disclosed that VSF had developed a strategy for the next three years to support victims of terrorism as well as expand its intervention to Taraba, Kaduna, Katsina, Benue and Niger.

She said that the organisation was making effort to build resilience of victims to enable them to go back to their communities.

In his remarks, Ahmed Suleiman, the state Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, said the ministry would partner VSF to bring support to victims of terrorism in the state.

One of the beneficiaries, Sadiya Mohammed, appreciated the VSF and the Niger government for the support, adding that the gesture would help alleviate their sufferings. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker and Isaac Ukpoju

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Edo State Human Capital Development Programme (HCD) on Friday charged journalists to adequately report the three thematic areas of the HCD to enable beneficiaries understand the benefits that are inherent in the programme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HCD Programme is a project of the National Economic Council (NEC) with it Core Working Groups working on three thematic areas of health and nutrition, education and labour force participation.

The Regional Consultant, South South HCD, Mr Olusoji Adeniyi, gave the charge at a two-day Media engagement and HCD reporting for media agencies, held in Benin, the Edo capital.

Speaking on the topic, “Accelerating HCD base in Nigeria”, Adeniyi said the three thematic areas of HCD were poorly reported, adding that stakeholders and communities were not aware of the benefit of the programme.

He noted that the media needed to say more about what government was doing through the HCD to enable communities become aware of the benefit of education and other thematic areas of the programme.

“The training is to build the capacity of media agencies and also to introduce the components of HCD to journalists to avoid misconception.

“The essence of the workshop is to let you know that HCD is a life cycle of a child which begins from the womb, the health of the mother, breastfeeding, nurturing of the child and the educational status of that child.

“It involves the opportunity for the child to become employable through the skills learnt. During the period, they were exposed to adolescence to young adults who would contribute to the labour force of the country.

“So the media need to engage the communities to let them know that a child that is wondering around during school hours, is a child that is likely to drop out of school and needs to be corrected and taken back to school.

“We want people to understand that a child that is going to be fully developed to contribute to the economy of the nation starts from when the child is in the mother’s womb

“It covers when the child is born in a facility that has the right kind of birth attendants so that we do not loose the child and mother to infant and maternal mortality,” he said.

According to him, “we are in Edo where bronze casting has become obsolete and the media need to educate the people on the need to revive it because it has put Edo on the world map.

Adeniyi, however, disclosed that a total of 260 journalists have so far been trained in the south south region on HCD programme.

Also speaking, the Edo HCD Focal Person and Managing Director, Edo Skills Development Agency, (Edojobs), Mrs Violet Obiokoro, stated that Gov. Godwin Obaseki had invested in HCD and was working with its three thematic areas.

Obiokoro, however, lamented that all of the improvement recorded so far by the governor in the state in the thematic areas have been under reported.

“The governor has done a lot in these areas but they are under reported and as a result, people are not aware of what government is doing,” Obiokoro said.

According to her, “I want to appeal to you all to begin to look into these areas and help us report what government is doing.

“It is about time we begin to report these activities and collect data by ourselves instead of waiting for people to report and collect data for us.”

A plenary was held with HCD thematic Focal Persons from the ministry of Health, Education and Edojobs to discuss the impact of HCD thematic areas in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Alex Enebeli

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said that his heart bleeds as a result of the killings in Igboland.

Iwuanyanwu disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Enugu.

He said, “My heart bleeds at the sad events in Igboland where Igbos are killing fellow Igbos.

“I am equally very distressed by the rate at which the Nigerian security operatives are killed not only in Igboland but all over the country.

“Worse still is the suspected reprisal attack where innocent Igbo sons and daughters from Mbano in Imo state have found their lives and means of livelihood completely destroyed.

This situation, he said, is completely unacceptable to him, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and “Indeed unacceptable to all honest, right-thinking and patriotic Nigerians.

“I condemn it in strong terms,” the Igbo leader said.

He said he would be sending a team immediately, under the Chairmanship of C. J. Ihemedu, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State Chapter, to give him a comprehensive report on the matter.

“I call on the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous crime and make sure they face the law.

“I also urge the Federal Government to put in place necessary security measures to forestall the reoccurrence of this sad event,” he said.

He noted that similar incidents had occurred in all the states of Southeast, adding that as at now there seemed to be no solution as the matter is even getting worse.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is right now undertaking a total transformation of Igboland and by this transformation, more job opportunities will be created in the zone for school leavers; and infrastructure for business men and women.

“I wish, on behalf of all Igbos worldwide, to express our deep sympathy to the families of the security men who were gruesomely murdered.

“We also sympathise with our people in Mbano whose shops and houses were destroyed during the reprisal attack.

“I pray the Almighty God to take control of events in Igboland so that we will once more enjoy peace, happiness and prosperity in our land,” Iwuanyanwu said. (NAN)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Fabian Ekeruche

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has donated 1800 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to street sweepers of the Lagos Waste Management Authority in Lagos.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Folashade Kadiri, Director, Public Affairs, LAWMA, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Lagos.

Kadiri said that the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, appreciated the gesture, describing it as the beginning of a robust partnership between both agencies.

He said that the kits comprised 600 reflective jackets, 600 face masks and 600 safety cones, largely for the use of LAWMA’s highway sweepers.

Gbadegesin said that LAWMA was committed to ensuring the effective management of marine waste.

Kadiri also quoted the NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, as saying that the gesture was part of the agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

Jamoh said that there was the need to significantly enhance highway sweeping efforts.

Represented by the Deputy Director of finance, Mr. Samuel Ajayi,  Jamoh said that the maritime agency was committed to safeguarding both maritime and environmental interests.

The event was attended by LAWMA’s senior management staff. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare