Youths in Kano Launch Nationwide Prayer Campaign Amidst Rising Hardship

In response to the worsening economic hardship and the deterioration of peaceful protests in Nigeria, a group of youths in Kano has initiated a nationwide special prayer campaign. The initiative seeks divine intervention to address the country’s growing difficulties.

Residents of Kano have gathered at various locations to participate in these prayer sessions, aimed at seeking relief and support amid the ongoing unrest. This move comes in the wake of violence that has marred planned peaceful protests, leading to attacks on public and private properties, as well as incidents of looting, killings, and injuries.

The group is also preparing for a nationwide day of prayer and fasting scheduled for August 12, 2024. Mubarak Ibrahim, one of the campaign organizers, emphasized the spiritual focus of the initiative, stating, “The day has been proposed as a National Prayer Day where we will engage in additional prayers and fasting, seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.”

Ibrahim highlighted the belief in the power of prayer as the primary tool to confront the current situation, noting that the President’s recent speech did not adequately address the people’s needs. The campaign will begin on Friday, with Quran recitations continuing through Saturday, and the fasting to commence on Monday.

“This is a voluntary, youth-led effort, and we are collaborating with Islamic leaders in various states to finalize the arrangements,” Ibrahim added. “This initiative is not sponsored but driven by the collective will of the youth to seek divine assistance in these challenging times.”

Nigeria Issues Travel Advisory for UK Amid Surge in Anti-Immigration Violence

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a travel advisory for Nigerians planning to visit the United Kingdom due to recent violent unrest across the country.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, the advisory comes in response to escalating anti-immigration and far-right violence in various UK towns and cities. The unrest has been marked by attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers, mosques, and clashes with law enforcement, following the tragic killing of three young girls at a concert.

Amb. Abu-Obe urged Nigerian travelers to exercise heightened caution and avoid large public gatherings, political demonstrations, and protests. He also recommended that travelers remain vigilant and avoid crowded areas to ensure their safety during this period of heightened unrest.

Robotics technician: Emerging profession boosting efficiency of industries

By Hong Qiuting, People’s Daily

At a demonstration area of robot applications of Guangdong Cui Feng Robotics Technology Co., Ltd. in south China’s Guangdong province, Zhuang Yongchun was standing in front of a row of spinning robotic arms. After he made a few taps on a teach pendant, these robotic arms moved accordingly. Zhuang carefully inspected whether the gripping and rotating actions of the robotic arms were accurate and smoothly transitioned.

“It’s not easy to make robots screw in screws and fetch screws from a box using their mechanical arms smoothly,” said Zhuang, who’s a robotics technician. “Our profession has emerged as a result of the rise of intelligent manufacturing.”

In simple terms, Zhuang’s daily work involves the development and application of industrial robots. He is primarily responsible for providing industrial robots to companies with specific needs and designing robot production lines for factories undergoing industrial automation upgrades.

A factory that produces medical sheet metal parts hoped to upgrade its production line for automation. Upon learning the news, Zhuang visited the factory.

“First, we need to assess the condition of the press brake and determine if it is compatible with our equipment. We also need to evaluate the bending bed and molds to ensure they meet the production requirements,” Zhuang added.

After noting down the key technical specifications, Zhuang returned to his office and discussed with colleagues, designing solutions, simulating movements, and conducting 3D design.

“After multiple rounds of discussions and approval of the plan, we signed an agreement, and once the customer places the purchase order, we would start with drawing, procurement, assembly, and conduct action, signal, and hardware testing,” Zhuang said. He added that the automation upgrade of a production line, from design to installation of 10 robotic arms, for example, can be successfully put into production in 5-10 days.

“For the factory, using robots can save labor costs. Previously, it required two or more people for bending, but now only one bending robot is needed,” Zhuang told People’s Daily, adding that this significantly improves production efficiency.

In fact, bending technique is closely related to people’s daily lives. Televisions, refrigerators, computer cases, vending machines, data center servers, and many other electrical products on the market rely on the technique.

Previously, during his visits to enterprises along the industrial chain, Zhuang discovered that many factories in Dongguan, Guangdong province were employing the bending technique. Before the development of bending robots, products had to be manually produced, which often resulted in deviations and the production of defective goods.

“Can we develop a robot to alleviate the burden on workers and improve efficiency?” This question lingered in the mind of Zhuang and his team.

The challenge with bending robots lies in keeping sheet metal products securely attached to the robot’s suction cups while the robot performs bending actions. “At that time, no one in the world has tackled this challenge,” Zhuang said.

Zhuang diligently studied various comprehensive technologies related to robots, such as machine programming, circuits, machine tools, and engineering design. He continuously updated his knowledge system and devoted himself to the research and development of robot projects.

“After a year of efforts, we finally developed a bending robot and introduced this technology to the sheet metal industry nationwide, promoting the industry’s transition towards intelligent manufacturing,” Zhuang said. So far, this robot has been employed by more than 60 companies from over 10 provinces and municipalities, according to him.

While working on projects, Zhuang has also focused on talent training. He said that over the years, he has trained hundreds of robotics technicians, who are now working in various manufacturing companies and operating various production line robots.

“As the industry continues to develop, technology is constantly advancing, and we must keep pace with the times and make continuous progress,” Zhuang said. He hopes that while China works to make its industries intelligent, more people will take on the jobs of robotics technician and other emerging professions.

Experts Call for Enhanced Clinical Governance to Address Nigeria’s Healthcare Challenges

Health experts are urging government officials at all levels to focus on clinical governance as a crucial element for improving Nigeria’s healthcare system. They argue that the lack of clinical governance in many hospitals has led to suboptimal patient care and hindered the sector’s development.

The discussion on clinical governance was highlighted during the launch of the AGCare Specialist Clinic in Asaba, Delta State. Dr. Chukwuka Monye, the clinic’s founder, emphasized that addressing the issue of inadequate clinical governance has been key to the clinic’s success amidst Nigeria’s broader healthcare challenges.

“Our vision is to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone, not just a privileged few,” Dr. Monye stated. “We are expanding our centers across the country and adopting an integrated approach to healthcare.”

Dr. Ebomwonyi Osagie, Principal Lead of AGCare, elaborated on the clinic’s framework designed to ensure quality care. He noted that clinical governance involves rigorous oversight from patient registration through their entire hospital experience, aiming to minimize medication errors, misdiagnoses, and legal issues.

“Clinical governance is essential to reduce issues to the bare minimum,” Dr. Osagie said. “While errors can occur anywhere, implementing a robust clinical governance framework helps in significantly reducing these risks.”

Dr. Onyi Babatunde, CEO of the clinic, highlighted the facility’s commitment to both quality patient care and community outreach. “In addition to serving those who visit us, we ensure that healthcare reaches individuals who may not be able to come to the clinic by organizing periodic outreach programs.”

The new AGCare Specialist Clinic features a comprehensive range of facilities, including male and female wards, nursing stations, consulting rooms, a pediatric unit, an operating theatre, a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), delivery room, X-ray and ultrasound rooms, a CT scan room, pharmacy, emergency and accident unit, dialysis unit, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Ebonyi Government Empowers 1,300 Youths with N1 Million Each Amid Nationwide Protests

The Ebonyi State Government has announced plans to empower 1,300 youths with N1 million each to support their business ventures. This initiative comes at a time when nationwide protests against poor governance and hunger are set to commence.

Governor Francis Nwifuru revealed the program during an event at Umuogudu Akpu Ngbo, Ohaukwu, marking the Empowerment and Accountability speech by Hon. Nwachukwu Eze, Member Representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency.

Under the scheme, 100 youths will be selected from each of the 13 local government areas in Ebonyi State. Governor Nwifuru praised the youths for their decision to heed his call to abstain from participating in the protests, emphasizing that the empowerment is a token of gratitude for their responsible behavior.

“Our youths have demonstrated exceptional responsibility by choosing not to join the protests,” Governor Nwifuru said. “I am committed to supporting them further and helping them realize their potential.”

Additionally, Governor Nwifuru announced the awarding of a 24km road project for the Umuoguduosha-NIGERCEM Road, which has been contracted to two companies for completion within 18 months.

Hon. Nwachukwu Eze also highlighted his achievements, including securing a billion Naira for a 3km asphalt road, installing solar-powered street lights, and constructing classroom blocks. He also resolved the long-standing Ngbo-Agila crisis, which had caused significant loss and disruption.

The event also saw the commissioning of the Pentecostal Foundation Hospital, funded by Senator Anthony Agbo, and a 3km road project supported by Hon. Eze Nwachukwu.

Presidency Confirms Tinubu’s Achievement of Cultivating 500,000 Hectares Amid Criticism

The Presidency has affirmed that President Bola Tinubu has achieved his goal of cultivating 500,000 hectares of land, in line with the administration’s food security policy. This clarification comes in response to recent criticism of Tinubu’s new pledge to collaborate with state governors on cultivating 10 million hectares nationwide.

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu, addressed the criticism following a broadcast in which Tinubu outlined his administration’s ambitious agricultural targets. Journalist Oseni Rufai, commenting on the broadcast, accused Tinubu of failing to meet his earlier promise of cultivating 500,000 hectares and questioned the feasibility of his new 10 million hectare target. Rufai also called for the dismissal of Tinubu’s speech writer.

Ajayi countered these criticisms, stating that the federal government, in partnership with state governors, had indeed exceeded the 500,000 hectare goal. He highlighted that at least five states have contributed to this achievement, with Jigawa and Kebbi alone accounting for 300,000 hectares during the dry season. Niger State is also progressing with plans to cultivate 1 million hectares.

“The President was clear in his broadcast,” Ajayi said. “The 10 million hectare target is a plan and a goal for the future. The cultivation of more than 500,000 hectares has already been accomplished, and nearly every state is engaged in agricultural activities.”

China’s opening up brings broad opportunities for multinational corporations

By Li Xinyi, Li Yan, Wang Hailin, People’s Daily

At the GE HealthCare Beijing Imaging Equipment Manufacturing Base, located at No. 1 Yongchang North Road in Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area, production lines were humming as medical devices were assembled one after another.

Two out of every three CT scanners sold globally by GE HealthCare are produced here, and products manufactured at the base are sold to over 100 countries and regions worldwide.

“When we entered Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area 33 years ago, this place was mostly farmland and livestock farms. From the beginning, we firmly believed that we could achieve long-term growth in the Chinese market. Today, this has become GE HealthCare’s largest imaging equipment production base globally. This success came from China’s continuously improving business environment, stable and smooth industrial and supply chains, and steadily increasing innovation capabilities,” said Zhang Yihao, vice president of GE Healthcare and president and CEO of GE Healthcare China, during an interview with People’s Daily.

In 1991, GE HealthCare established GE Hangwei Medical Systems, Co., Ltd. in China. It was GE HealthCare’s first joint venture in China and one of the earliest companies to settle in the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area.

Over the past 30-plus years, the company has achieved rapid development there. Currently, the GE HealthCare Beijing Imaging Equipment Manufacturing Base is able to produce CT scanners ranging from 16-slice to 256-slice, molecular imaging equipment, surgical systems, angiography systems, bone densitometers, nuclear medicine PET/CT equipment, as well as components such as detectors and X-ray tubes. Its product design and manufacturing processes for CT equipment components are leading globally.

Now, GE HealthCare has six major production bases and seven factories located in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuxi, Tianjin, Chengdu, and Shenzhen. The continuous improvement in GE HealthCare’s localized production in the Chinese market is inseparable from China’s stable and smooth industrial and supply chains.

It is learned that GE HealthCare has over 1,000 suppliers in China, including more than 160 core suppliers. Zhang said that China is working to optimize its economic structure, supporting cooperation between Chinese and foreign enterprises, accelerating the implementation of advanced digital technologies, products, and solutions. This contributes to building a global industrial and supply chain system that is secure, stable, smooth, efficient, open, inclusive and mutually beneficial.

In recent years, Beijing Economic and Technological Development Area has built a 100-billion-yuan ($13.8 billion)-scale biological technology and health industry cluster, attracting over 4,200 biotech and health companies. Cooperation between upstream and downstream sectors of the industrial and supply chains has been further strengthened.

On a orthopedic surgical equipment production line at the GE HealthCare Beijing Imaging Equipment Manufacturing Base, automated testing robots responsible for equipment final testing were simultaneously calibrating and testing six CT devices. Human-machine collaborative testing robots and AI-based automatic testing systems for surgical equipment worked closely together to complete position corrections and radiation dose measurements at nine test points.

This is the world’s first fully automated “testing tunnel,” developed by GE HealthCare’s Chinese team. It requires only 15 workers to produce over 2,000 sets of products annually, with one surgical system rolling off the line every 50 minutes on average. Both product quality and work efficiency have been greatly improved.

Currently, GE HealthCare has about 1,800 R&D personnel in China, with over 1,000 R&D staff and more than 160 R&D laboratories in Beijing alone. Over the past decade, the company’s Chinese team has developed and launched over 120 products. Among these, the CT scanner equipped with the “Skeye” digital solution based on deep learning and AI technologies has become the “star product” of GE HealthCare. Of the Class III medical device licenses approved for the company in China, 77 percent of the product technologies were developed by the Chinese team and registered in China.

“In recent years, China has implemented an innovation-driven development strategy, rapidly advancing its technological capabilities. The abundant innovative elements have helped us gain a competitive edge in the global market,” Zhang stated.

He added that China is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces and actively fostering emerging and future industries. “We look forward to deepening cooperation with our Chinese partners to further promote development in relevant fields.”

Zhang emphasized that GE HealthCare has been both a witness to and beneficiary of China’s continuous expansion of opening up. “As China’s door opens wider, and the level of openness continues to rise, it will undoubtedly bring broader development opportunities for multinational companies and provide stronger momentum for global economic recovery and growth.”

Petrol Shortages Intensify as #EndBadGovernance Protests Disrupt Fuel Distribution

Fuel scarcity has worsened across Nigeria as the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests have disrupted the distribution of petroleum products. In several states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, fuel queues have resurfaced due to halted supply chains.

Oil marketers have attributed the problem to a suspension in petroleum product deliveries, as dealers opted to protect their assets amid the widespread protests. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had earlier attributed earlier disruptions to “hitches in the discharge operations of a couple of vessels.”

Despite efforts to resolve the issue, the protests, which began on August 1, 2024, have further complicated the situation. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) reported that many tankers did not load products during the initial days of the protests, leading to significant disruptions in the supply chain.

Chinedu Ukadike, National Public Relations Officer of IPMAN, explained that the protests led to recommendations for marketers to temporarily close their stations to avoid damage and theft. Security concerns further compounded the issue, as authorities advised marketers to suspend operations to ensure safety.

“There were no activities at the Lagos depots on Thursday and Friday due to security concerns and fears of vandalism,” Ukadike stated. “Although NUPENG is ready to support depot operations, depot owners are hesitant to resume activities due to the current security risks.”

On Sunday, reports indicated that petrol prices had surged significantly, with prices reaching ₦850 to ₦1,000 per liter in Warri, Delta State. The scarcity was attributed to the halted loading operations at depots caused by the protests.

IPMAN officials expressed hope that fuel supply would stabilize as protests diminish. They urged protesters to consider ending the demonstrations to allow for a return to normalcy in fuel distribution.

“It is crucial for the protesters to halt their demonstrations,” Ukadike added. “The President has acknowledged their demands and needs time to address them. Normalcy in fuel supply can only return if the protests cease.”

Afenifere Condemns Tinubu’s Comments on Protests, Highlights His Past Calls for Revolution

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent remarks blaming others for the ongoing protests against his administration. Afenifere noted that Tinubu, who had previously advocated for a revolution against former President Goodluck Jonathan, should not now be shifting blame.

Prince Justice Fakiyesi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, argued that Tinubu’s address overlooked the critical issue of widespread hunger and was dismissive of the genuine grievances driving the protests. Fakiyesi pointed out that it was contradictory for Tinubu to label the protests as politically motivated when he himself had once called for similar actions against Jonathan.

Fakiyesi stated, “The current situation mirrors what happened during Jonathan’s tenure when Tinubu advocated for revolution. Now that he faces similar unrest, he is blaming others.

“We have always maintained that mere dialogue wouldn’t resolve anything. He hasn’t changed.

“His speech seems forced, lacking in substantive policy solutions for the hunger crisis, and dismissive of the protests as politically motivated. Tinubu’s statements about the end of the subsidy and the inevitability of protests show he anticipated these issues and their consequences.”

Afenifere Criticizes Tinubu Over Protest Comments, Recalls His Call for Revolution Against Jonathan

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to refrain from assigning blame in the wake of the protests against his administration. The group pointed out that Tinubu had previously called for a revolution against former President Goodluck Jonathan and, therefore, should not be apportioning blame now.

According to Prince Justice Fakiyesi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, the president’s speech failed to address the real issues of widespread hunger in the country. Fakiyesi emphasized that it was disingenuous for Tinubu to dismiss the nationwide protest as politically motivated, especially considering his own past actions under Jonathan’s administration.

Speaking to the press on Monday, Fakiyesi stated, “It is the same thing that happened under former President Goodluck Jonathan and he (Tinubu) called for a revolution or protest, and when he is facing the same thing and even worse, he is blaming other people.

“We never believed that just calling for dialogue would change anything. He has never changed.

“I think he was pushed to read the speech because it was not a matter of dialogue or him addressing people about the exact policy that brought hunger, and since he is not willing to reverse or accept responsibility, because he more or less said it was politically motivated.

“When he started, and he specifically said that subsidy is dead, he said you can protest as much as you like. He said that. He knew that his policies were going to bring protests. At his age, he knows that there have been all sorts of protests against subsidy removal.”