How Police, Ribadu’s Office Rescued 20 Kidnapped Medical Students – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced that 20 medical students kidnapped on 15 August 2024 while traveling through Benue State were rescued by the police, with support from the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The successful operation involved a gunfight, resulting in the death of a kidnapping kingpin and the arrest of two other gang members.

The students, from the University of Jos and the University of Maiduguri, were on their way to a medical students conference in Enugu when they were abducted. During the rescue mission, which took place on Thursday, seven additional victims were also freed. The police recovered weapons from the suspects, who are now in custody providing valuable information to help dismantle the criminal network responsible for the abductions.

The operation, praised for its complexity and careful execution, was carried out without the payment of any ransom. The Vice Chancellors of the involved universities commended the efforts of the police and security agencies, with the University of Jos management planning to address the trauma experienced by the students.

Kidnapping for ransom remains a significant issue in parts of Benue and other Nigerian states, perpetrated by various armed groups.

Firm Tackles Food Insecurity Through Real Estate Investment

Dual Realty Ltd, a real estate company, is addressing Nigeria’s food insecurity crisis through innovative investment strategies in agriculture. The firm has launched a scheme where it invests in large-scale farming on behalf of its customers, providing annual returns on these investments.

According to Mr. Festus-Tomiwa Oyelakin, Chief Operating Officer of Dual Realty, the company has introduced a model that integrates real estate investment with agricultural development. The scheme involves purchasing land, which is then used for farming, and sharing the proceeds with the landowners. This approach not only contributes to alleviating food insecurity but also offers a return on investment to the buyers.

The company has recently opened the Springfield Estate in Moniya, Ibadan, where land is utilized for various agricultural purposes, including cassava, maize, tomatoes, plantain, and timber. The firm handles all agricultural processes, from land preparation to harvesting, and provides landowners with returns of 10% to 25% on their investment.

Oyelakin highlighted that this model contrasts with traditional real estate practices, where land is often left undeveloped for years. By actively farming the land, Dual Realty is helping to address food insecurity while also increasing the land’s value. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and eco-violence on Nigeria’s food supply.

The United Nations has projected that 80-82 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity by 2030 if current trends continue. Dual Realty’s approach represents a proactive step toward tackling this crisis by leveraging real estate investments to enhance agricultural productivity and support local food security.

Sensational video game ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ ignites cultural tourism boom in N China’s Shanxi

By Zheng Yangyang, People’s Daily

China’s Triple-A (high-cost, high-volume, high-quality) single-player game – “Black Myth: Wukong” has become a global hit shortly after it was released worldwide on August 20. 

A well-known global online gaming platform saw the number of concurrent players surpass 2.2 million, ranking second globally on the platform. Such success marks Chinese game developers’ first foray into a market long dominated by foreign game companies.

Adapting the ancient Chinese classic Journey to the West, the game reimagines the story of Sun Wukong, or Monkey King, one of the most beloved characters in the literature world.

Thanks to this sensational video game, north China’s Shanxi province is witnessing a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals.

As many scenes in the game are created based on cultural and historical sites in Shanxi, relevant topics about the province, including “Shanxi tourism,” quickly occupied the list of online trending topics in China. 

Seizing the opportunity to promote cultural tourism, the official social media accounts of the Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province have released multiple videos titled “Follow Wukong through Shanxi,” garnering wide attention online.

For instance, Yuhuang Temple in Jincheng city, Shanxi, recently received many visitors who came specifically to see the lifelike colored sculptures from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Many of them were motivated by “Black Myth: Wukong” to explore the real-world locations of iconic scenes in the game. Many of them could not help but exclaim with admiration for the beautiful artworks.

In fact, the synergy between the virtual game world and reality began as early as 2022. 

Since the release of the game’s first promotional video a few years ago, the Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province has reached an agreement with the developer on leveraging the beautiful scenes in the game to promote cultural tourism in Shanxi.

Currently, Shanxi is not only following trending topics on the game, but also making every effort to receive the huge flow of tourists and win their favor for its cultural tourism industry. 

Through innovation in services and business forms, the province is striving to turn the “Wukong effect” into a long-term appeal for visitors.

Players have shown great interest in the scenes featuring the colored sculptures at Yuhuang Temple, each of which has its own unique characteristics: some are majestic, some are gentle and charming, and some are mysterious and unfathomable.

Li Runhang, a primary school art teacher from south China’s Guangdong province, was immediately amazed as he stepped into the gate of Yuhuang Temple. 

“It was because of ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ that I got to know Yuhuang Temple in Jincheng. I specifically come to visit the temple during the summer vacation, and it truly lives up to its reputation! I’ve gained a fresh understanding of traditional culture here,” Li said. 

He plans to design a special course to help his students gain a deeper understanding of the profound traditional Chinese culture.

“The open testing and promotion of the game have already started to drive an increase in the tourist flow. During the summer vacation this year, the number of visitors to Yuhuang Temple reached a record high, with over 50,000 visits in six months, and about 40 percent of them learned about the scenic area through the game,” said Yin Zhenxing, curator of the Yuhuang Temple museum of colored sculptures and murals.

“The game is inspired by the ancient Chinese tale ‘Journey to the West.’ With its rich historical and cultural heritage, Shanxi stands out among many regions in China, becoming the most frequently featured province in the game,” said Zhang Qing, an official with the Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province.

According to Zhang, the game features 36 filming locations across China, with 27 of them located in Shanxi. Many scenes, including ancient temples, pagodas, archways, grottoes, stone carvings, and sculptures, are either faithfully recreated or meticulously modeled by animators based on real-life ancient buildings in Shanxi, making them vivid and realistic, Zhang said.

“The game-playing process also provides an opportunity to appreciate Shanxi’s ancient architectural art and fine traditional Chinese culture,” Zhang said. 

Shanxi is home to 53,875 immovable cultural relics, including 28,027 ancient buildings, and has 531 nationally protected cultural heritage sites in China, Zhang said. Among the ancient buildings in the province, over 500 are ancient wooden buildings built in the Yuan Dynasty and earlier periods, Zhang noted.

The popularity of the game has sparked players’ interest in Shanxi’s history and culture as well as its ancient architecture. Some netizens have suggested “creating a special tourist route with relevant attractions.”

According to Zhang, data from online travel platforms showed a rapid increase in tourism interest in Shanxi on the day the game was launched. 

In particular, sites featured in the game, such as Yuhuang Temple, Chongfu Temple, Xiaoxitian Temple, Tiefo Temple, Shuanglin Temple, Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, and Stork Tower, saw a surge in popularity, indicating a strong desire among travelers and netizens to “follow Wukong through Shanxi.”

In response to suggestions from netizens, the Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province has formulated a series of measures to boost tourism development.

On August 22, the 2024 Digital Culture and Tourism Brand Innovation Conference was held in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi. At the opening ceremony of the conference, Shanxi officially kicked off its tourism campaign named “Follow Wukong through Shanxi.” 

At the same time, the Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province introduced incentive policies to encourage cultural, historical, travel, and gaming vloggers to create content related to Shanxi’s ancient architecture featured in the game, providing support and rewards for those who meet relevant requirements.

“In recent years, Shanxi’s culture and tourism authorities have been collaborating to leverage new media platforms for promotion and identify the key to drawing tourists, attracting more and more netizens’ attention to the beautiful scenery of Shanxi,” said a senior official with the Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province.

WHO, Government Blame Vaccine Rejection as Diphtheria Claims Three Lives in Kaduna

A recent diphtheria outbreak in Tukur Tukur settlement, Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State, has resulted in the deaths of three children. The outbreak has been linked to vaccine rejection, according to health officials.

The health team, led by Dr. Bello Jamo, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, confirmed the deaths and attributed the outbreak to non-compliance with diphtheria vaccination during a routine exercise conducted two months ago. The Tukur Tukur settlement had the highest vaccine rejection rate during the routine exercise in June.

Dr. Jamo noted that the outbreak in the 13 wards of Zaria LGA is the first reported since the vaccination campaign. To address the situation, over 1,000 children in the area were vaccinated, with continued vaccination planned for the following week in neighboring settlements.

Abdullahi Sule, the Health Secretary of the council, reported that one victim died at home, while the other two died after being taken to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria.

Fatima Abdullahi, the ward focal person, pledged that her team would stay in the community for a week to eliminate the disease. Abdul-azeez Suleiman, spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, commended the swift response and assured that the community would engage in increased sensitization efforts regarding the importance of vaccination.

NDLEA Seizes N2.2bn Worth of Codeine in Lagos Port

The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted two containers at the Tin Can seaport in Lagos, containing 1,596 cartons of codeine-based syrup, equivalent to 319,200 bottles. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated at N2.234 billion.

According to Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy for the NDLEA, the containers arrived from Mundra port in India and were discovered during a joint examination with other port stakeholders. The NDLEA has also reported several other drug-related operations across the country.

In Lagos, an Onitsha-based businessman, Ibeanusi Solomon Nosike, was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport after excreting 68 wraps of cocaine over 12 days. Nosike had swallowed the cocaine pellets in an attempt to smuggle them to Vietnam.

The NDLEA also intercepted 1.20 kg of cannabis concealed for shipment to Dubai and arrested Aligbo Chukwudi Jacob. In Mushin, Lagos, 3,834 bottles of codeine syrup, 5,200 Co-Codamol pills, and 11,880 Rohypnol tablets were recovered from Godwill Davidson.

In Kano State, authorities seized 145,400 tramadol pills and arrested two suspects. In Edo State, two women were apprehended for online drug sales, and large quantities of cannabis and laced baked goods were recovered.

Oyo State saw the seizure of 267.5 liters of skuchies and 18 grams of Canadian Loud, while at the Seme Border, five female traffickers were caught with 6.97 kg of Loud cannabis.

The NDLEA also apprehended Yahaya Ibrahim with 42,000 tramadol pills en route from Asaba to Potiskum.

Last week, a Vietnam-bound businessman, Paul Okwuy Mbadugha, was caught at Abuja airport with 88 wraps of cocaine after testing positive for ingestion of the drug.

NYSC Releases Batch B Stream II Call-Up Letters

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced the release of the 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream II call-up letters for prospective corps members. This update was shared through the NYSC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.

The orientation camp for Batch B Stream II is scheduled to commence on August 28, 2024, and will conclude on September 17, 2024.

Prospective corps members posted to Lagos will undergo their orientation in Ogun and Osun states, while those assigned to Zamfara will attend camp in Kebbi and Sokoto, among other locations.

The NYSC has advised all prospective corps members to print and sign an addendum, which must be submitted during registration at the orientation camp.

The release follows the earlier distribution of call-up letters for Stream I, with orientation camp activities held from June 26 to July 1, 2024, and the swearing-in ceremony on July 2, 2024.

Dino Melaye Accuses PDP Leaders of Turning Party Into an “Obituary”

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has renewed his criticism of key figures in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing them of irreparably damaging the party.

Melaye, who previously charged PDP National Chairman Iliya Damagum, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and Organizing Secretary Umar Bature with undermining the party, has now intensified his attack. He claims these leaders have commercialized and privatized the opposition party, turning it into an ineffective entity.

In a recent statement, Melaye lamented that the party’s founding figures—such as Alex Ekwueme, Solomon Lar, Sunday Awoniyi, Adamu Chiroma, Tony Anenih, and Abubakar Rimi—would be dismayed by the current state of the PDP. He described the party under the current leadership as being in a state of “obituary.”

Melaye expressed his frustrations on social media, writing, “PDP is the only surviving party of the 4th Republic. After 27 years of surviving all challenges, the legacy of leaders like Ekwueme, Lar, Awoniyi, Chiroma, Anenih, and Rimi is being tarnished by Damagum, Anyanwu, and Bature. PDP is now an obituary.”

Catholic Bishops Warn Tinubu: Youth Protests Will Persist Until Economic Hardship Is Addressed

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has warned that Nigerian youths will continue to protest against economic hardship and hunger until President Bola Tinubu takes meaningful action.

In a statement delivered during the opening session of the CBCN’s 2024 Second Plenary Assembly in Auchi, Edo State, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, President of the Conference, expressed deep concern over the worsening economic conditions and their impact on the youth. He described the current situation as a potential “keg of gunpowder” that could explode if not addressed by the political class.

Bishop Ugorji criticized the use of security forces against peaceful protesters during the recent #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria demonstrations, noting that the government had instead responded with repression rather than solutions.

“We recognize the progress made in some areas, but the state of the nation remains troubling,” Ugorji said. “While President Tinubu has highlighted achievements, the reality is that our economy is in decline and youths are increasingly frustrated. Their protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, 2024, were a response to this frustration.”

The CBCN condemned the violence against protesters, calling for justice for those killed and support for the injured. The Bishops accused the government of undermining democratic rights and failing to address the root causes of public discontent.

“The ongoing protests reflect the deep-seated issues of poverty, hardship, and corruption. Instead of addressing these problems, the government has chosen to suppress dissent, creating a dangerous precedent,” Ugorji added. “We are concerned that efforts to silence the protests only signal an attempt to ignore the real issues affecting our nation.”

The Bishops emphasized that until the government takes concrete steps to improve economic conditions and address corruption, protests and public outcry are likely to continue.

Sound mountain ecology contributes to prosperity in China’s Fujian

By Wang Yinxin, Lin Yuan, People’s Daily

Jiangjun Mountain, located in Shaxian district, Sanming city, southeast China’s Fujian province, has been particularly bustling these days. 

Wei Fasong, a forest owner in Jiai village, Shaxian district, makes his way to the mountain every week to check on the growth of Chinese herbal medicine such as Dioscorea nipponica and Siberia landpick that he has planted under the trees for three years, anticipating the upcoming harvest.

“We can now make a fortune without cutting down trees. The average annual income per mu (about 667 square meters) can reach at least 1,000 yuan ($140),” said Wei.

Bao Xingkun, head of a state-owned forest farm in Shaxian district, is also a frequenter to the mountain. His farm has set up a demonstration forest featuring stereoscopic planting on the mountain. During the journey up the mountain, visitors can come across precious broad-leaved trees such as Phoebe bournei and Ormosia hosiei, and higher up, they will be greeted by a lush plantation of artificial Chinese fir trees reaching 10 meters in height.

“We plant herbs at the foot of the mountain, trees at the top, and intercrop valuable tree species in between. Through this science-based stereoscopic planting approach, our trees grow better. We can greatly improve the utilization of the forest space, and our income is ten times more than that of simple tree planting,” Bao explained. 

On the mountain, Zhang Min, general manager of a travel agency, was leading tourists on a tour. His company has leveraged the sound local natural environment to set up a rehabilitation resort on the mountain. 

“Throughout this summer vacation, the resort has been fully booked every week. Guests stay in forest cabins and enjoy healthy cuisine. They appreciate the sound ecological environment here,” said Zhang.

The effective ecological management of Jiangjun Mountain well exemplifies Fujian’s commitment to maximizing the value of forestry ecological products in recent years.

In 2023, the forest coverage in Fujian accounted for 65.12 percent of the province’s total area. However, in the past, the majority of local forest farmers lived in poverty, and the province was plagued with issues such as rampant and illegal logging. In 2002, Fujian took the lead in China to implement a collective forest tenure reform, shifting from cutting trees to growing them, making barren mountains green and thriving again. Moreover, a variety of ecological products have been developed, turning green mountains into a source of wealth.

Thanks to these environmental protection efforts, local residents have a wider range of options for generating income. A broader variety of forestry ecological products has been introduced by local authorities, creating more ways to recognize the value of forest ecosystems.

For instance, the farming practices in Yanping district, Nanping city, have undergone a remarkable shift from disorderly to well-organized in recent years. Thanks to the exceptional forest ecology, Yanping district has experienced a boom in green industries specializing in milk, flowers, and bamboo. In 2023, the lily cultivation area in the district expanded to 8,500 mu, with an output value of 600 million yuan. Meanwhile, the annual output value of the dairy industry hit 2 billion yuan.

Besides, Nanping has set up a service platform to promote innovation in green industries, which has proved to be effective in helping companies overcome technological challenges and maximize ecological benefits. 

For example, Xingda Bamboo Industry Co., Ltd., located in Shaowu, Nanping city, had long struggled with the perishability of bamboo building materials. After posting its needs on the platform, the company soon connected with experts at Wuyi University and Nanjing Forestry University who specialize in relevant technologies. 

“After more than two months of trials, we made great progress,” said Wu Minda, head of the company. “Once the new technology is applied to production, our output value is expected to increase tenfold.”

There are also breakthroughs outside the woods. For instance, a unique carbon voucher is highly valued by Changkou village, Gaotang township, Jiangle county, Sanming city. In 2022, Changkou village used this carbon voucher to trade the carbon reduction obtained from its 3,197 mu of ecological public welfare forest over a five-year period. Each of the 1,000+ villagers received 150 yuan from this exchange. “We can even make money by selling air!” said villager Sun Guiying.

“In recent years, based on the strictest ecological protection policies, Fujian has developed green forestry industries, diversified forestry products, and increased their added value. In 2023, we achieved a total forestry output value of 765.1 billion yuan,” said Lin Xudong, deputy head of the Fujian Provincial Forestry Bureau.

Shaibu Warns Obaseki of Potential Exposé Amid Impeachment Suit

Philip Shaibu, the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, has threatened to reveal alleged misconduct by Governor Godwin Obaseki if the governor’s supporters continue to insult him.

Shaibu, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), issued this warning during a press briefing after attending Sunday Mass at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.

Having endured Obaseki’s actions for over 15 months, Shaibu expressed that the governor’s recent behavior had prompted him to consider exposing alleged wrongdoings. He claimed that Obaseki had mistaken his previous silence for weakness and now intends to disclose various alleged misdeeds by the governor.

Shaibu emphasized the importance of accountability in governance and criticized Obaseki’s leadership. He accused the governor of undermining the principles of servant leadership through actions such as attacking the church, revoking Certificates of Occupancy from the poor, demolishing opposition politicians’ homes, and other injustices.

Additionally, Shaibu urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to remain politically neutral and oppose any forms of injustice, advocating for the Christian community to be a source of hope and integrity, free from political bias.