China’s Chang’e-6, world-first mission to retrieve samples from far side of moon

By Yu Sinan, Wang Jingyuan, Zhu Tiantian, People’s Daily

At 5:27 p.m. (Beijing Time), May 3, China’s Chang’e-6 spacecraft blasted off at the Wenchang Space Launch Site on the coast of China’s southern island province of Hainan.

As an important mission of the fourth phase of China’s lunar exploration program, Chang’e-6 will collect and return samples from the moon’s mysterious far side — the first endeavor of its kind in the history of human lunar exploration.

According to Wang Qiong, deputy chief designer of the Chang’e-6 mission, the mission needs to see new technological breakthroughs in such areas as lunar retrograde orbit design and control, rapid intelligent sampling, and takeoff from the far side of the moon. It will conduct an automated sample return from the moon’s far side, along with scientific exploration of the landing area and international collaboration.

Wang said the scientific goals of the Chang’e-6 mission include on-site investigation and analysis of the landing area on the far side of the moon, and the analysis and study of the samples retrieved from the far side.

The entire flight of the mission is expected to last about 53 days, during which the spacecraft will experience 11 flight stages, including launch and orbit insertion, lunar transfer, among others.

The fourth phase of China’s lunar exploration program consists of the Chang’e-4, Chang’e-6, Chang’e-7 and Chang’e-8 missions. In January 2019, the Chang’e-4 probe touched down at the target landing area on the far side of the moon, becoming the first spacecraft soft-landing on the moon’s uncharted side that is never visible from Earth.

The Chang’e-6 mission marks another step forward in China’s lunar exploration program. It has garnered widespread attention for its goal to retrieve samples on the far side of the moon.

Studying lunar samples from different regions and ages can help humans learn more about the moon. However, all 10 lunar sample return missions conducted by humans by far have taken place on the near side of the moon.

The South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon was chosen as the target landing and sampling site for the Chang’e-6 mission. The basin is one of the largest impact craters known in the solar system, one of the three major lunar terranes, and the largest, oldest and deepest basin recognized on the moon. It might be home to aged lunar rocks, making it highly valuable for scientific research.

After the Chang’e-6 spacecraft retrieves lunar samples from the far side of the moon, scientists are expected to carry out systematic and long-term laboratory research on the samples, including analysis of the structure, physical properties and composition of lunar soil, which will enhance humanity’s understanding of the formation and evolution of the moon.

The rugged terrain of the moon’s far side poses great challenges for its landing. Wang noted that scientists can obtain basic information about the landing site through satellite remote sensing images, but detailed conditions still remain unknown. For instance, the landing could be affected by certain rocks on the lunar surface. Therefore, technological means is necessary to adjust the spacecraft’s landing trajectory to ensure it reaches the desired landing area during the descent. Once the lunar mission is completed, the Chang’e-6 will embark on its journey back home.

Practical international collaboration is one of the distinctive features of the Chang’e-6 mission. It is reported that in April 2019, China announced a cooperation plan for the Chang’e-6 mission, and decided to carry four payloads developed through international cooperation with the spacecraft, including the European Space Agency’s lunar surface ion analyzer, France’s radon detection instrument, Italy’s laser corner reflector, and a CubeSat from Pakistan.

On May 3, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) convened a workshop focusing on the international payloads carried by Chang’e-6 in Haikou, south China’s Hainan province. Around 50 guests from 12 countries and international organizations were invited to attend the workshop, discussed cooperation and witnessed the launch of the spacecraft.

Hu Hao, chief designer of the Chang’e-6 mission, noted that China places great importance on international cooperation in developing its lunar exploration program, and is committed to keeping the door open for collaboration with the international community.

It is reported that China is currently speeding up the development of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Recently, three new partners have joined the ILRS program, namely Nicaragua, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

China, EU to work together to enhance stability of China-EU ties

By Huan Yuping, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary mark a major diplomatic move by China towards the European Union (EU).

China and the EU are two major forces advancing multipolarity, two major markets in support of globalization, and two major civilizations championing diversity. The development of China-EU relations is crucial to the direction of the world development.

China and the EU do not have clashing fundamental interests between them, or geopolitical and strategic conflicts. Their common interests far outweigh their differences. In the context of China-EU relations, the two sides should be characterized rightly as partners. Cooperation should be the defining feature of the relationship, autonomy its key value, and win-win its future.

China always regards the EU as a strategic force in the international landscape, and takes the development of China-EU relations as a priority in its diplomacy.

In the spring of 2014, Xi visited the EU Headquarters, where he proposed to jointly forge four major China-EU partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization. This vision remains unchanged and holds even greater practical significance under current circumstances.

As the world today is becoming increasingly uncertain and unstable, it is crucial for both China and the EU to maintain close communication and focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, whether in driving their respective development or addressing global challenges.

Facts have repeatedly proved that as long as China and the EU work together to set the right direction and tone for China-EU relations, they can achieve development that meets the interests of both sides and the expectations of the people.

Currently, China is one of the most important trading partners of the EU, and vice versa. Despite the adverse effects of the global trade downturn, the total trade volume between China and the EU reached a remarkable $783 billion in 2023, with bilateral investment exceeding $250 billion.

China is ready to be Europe’s key partners for business cooperation, priority partners for cooperation in science and technology, and trustworthy partners for cooperation in industrial and supply chains. The two sides have the potential to achieve mutual success and shared prosperity.

China has been continuously expanding high-level opening-up and fostering a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. Multinationals in European countries such as BMW, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and BASF, and SMEs such as SEB, a producer of small domestic equipment, are strengthening cooperation with their Chinese counterparts to seize new opportunities.

Cooperation between China and the EU is steadily moving forward in emerging sectors such as digital economy, green development and environmental protection, new energy, and artificial intelligence.

According to the Business Confidence Survey 2023 released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC), more than 90 percent of the surveyed European companies plan to make China their investment destination. The 2023 Annual Report by the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) shows that more than 80 percent of surveyed Chinese companies plan to enhance their business in Europe. Both China and the EU should do more to increase the breadth and depth of cooperation and tighten the bond of shared interests.

China’s development and progress present opportunities for the EU, and a healthy and stable China-EU relationship will help the EU address its challenges. More and more Europeans are recognizing that China is an important partner for the EU to address energy and inflation challenges and enhance competitiveness.

“Both the EU and China are firm practitioners of world multipolarity, economic globalization, and multilateral governance. Cooperation between the two sides serves their common interests and directly affects global stability and prosperity,” said Yves Leterme, former prime minister of Belgium, highlighting the global significance of EU-China cooperation.

In recent years, China and the EU have worked together to achieve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iranian nuclear issue and the Paris Agreement on climate change, playing an important role in bridging the security and governance deficits faced by the world.

China is the world’s largest developing country and Europe is home to more developed countries than any other continent. They are important to the world economy.

Both China and the EU should remain vigilant in the face of a fragmented world economy and the rising tide of protectionism, and continue to pursue openness, uphold fair competition and free trade, avoid overstretching the concept of security, and resist anti-globalization.

China welcomes the active participation of the EU and other European countries in joint pursuit of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiatives, and is ready to align with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, so as to leverage the respective strengths to help developing countries accelerate their development.

In the face of the changing and volatile international situation, China and Europe need to build more “bridges.” Both sides should work together to practice multilateralism, advocate openness and development, and facilitate dialogue between civilizations. They should jointly build an equal and orderly multipolar world and promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, making greater contributions to world peace, stability, and prosperity.

Fujian Navy Yard: a witness to China-France exchanges

By Liu Xiaoyu, People’s Daily

At the mouth of the Minjiang River in southeast China’s Fujian province, the water flows calmly without ripples. Nestled by the Luoxing Pagoda along the river bank, the Fujian Navy Yard, also known as Foochow Arsenal, stands as a precious industrial and cultural heritage site founded 158 years ago and a witness to China-France exchanges that have spanned over 100 years.

On May 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris for a state visit to France. On the same day, a signed article by President Xi titled “Carrying Forward the Spirit that Guided the Establishment of China-France Diplomatic Relations, Working Together for Global Peace and Development” was published in French media Le Figaro. Xi said, “Over 150 years ago, French nationals helped China found its Fujian Navy Yard and the Fujian Naval Academy.”

Transformed from a former shipbuilding warehouse of the Foochow Arsenal, the Museum of Foochow Arsenal 1866, has now become a “treasure trove” preserving the memories of the shipyard.

On the right side of an exhibition hall on the first floor of the museum stands a French machine that is almost 160 years old, discolored to a deep black over the passage of time.

“It’s a slotting machine, also known as a vertical shaper, which is used for cutting machine beds. Therefore, it is considered the ‘mother machine’ of modern industry,” said Chen Yue, president of the Mawei shipyard culture research association.

The memory of the slotting machine’s return to the Foochow Arsenal from Sanming city of Fujian province five years ago is still fresh in Chen’s mind.

“Marked with French inscriptions ‘J.DUCOMMUN &CIE’ and ‘MULHOUSE 1867,’ the slotting machine was likely one of the first French machines imported by the Foochow Arsenal, a testament to the century-long history of China-France exchanges,” Chen told People’s Daily.

Chen has been dedicated to modern naval history for decades, with a particular emphasis on the Foochow Arsenal’s history.

“In 1866, driven by the dream of national rejuvenation, the Chinese people established the Foochow Arsenal in Mawei, Fuzhou. They built shipyards, constructed warships, manufactured aircraft, established schools, attracted talent, and developed the navy. The Foochow Arsenal has become a frontier for China’s exploration of national rejuvenation in modern times,” Chen explained.

The Foochow Arsenal, carrying the mission to bring about a change in modern China, accomplished several groundbreaking milestones in the Chinese history.

It established China’s first naval academy, nurtured the country’s first modernized naval fleet, and created the first large-scale shipbuilding industrial base of modern China.

It constructed China’s first domestically built armored steel warship and manufactured the country’s first shipboard steam engine and first biplane trainer for naval aviation.

Besides, the Foochow Arsenal also cultivated a large number of modern talents in fields such as science and technology, military affairs, diplomacy, education, and social sciences, including figures like Yan Fu, Zhan Tianyou, Gao Lu, Wei Han, Luo Fenglu, Chen Jitong, Deng Shichang, and Sa Zhenbing. They made prominent contributions to China’s modernization efforts.

René Viénet, a French scholar of modern Chinese history, called the Foochow Arsenal an “oil field” of French historical memory. Viénet, in his eighties, has been dedicated to studying the history of China-France exchanges, particularly the history of the Foochow Arsenal.

“Many ‘firsts’ in the history of China-France exchanges were born here: the first sophisticated modern school in China, the first Chinese school where classes were taught in French, and the completion of the first Chinese translation of the French novel The Lady of the Camellias,” Viénet said.

“The first superintendent of the Foochow Arsenal Prosper Marie Giquel was also French. He assisted Zuo Zongtang in establishing the Foochow Arsenal in Mawei, introducing modern machinery and engineering personnel from France. The old slotting machine was an example” Viénet noted.

“Xi’s forward thinking ensured the protection of this invaluable historical and cultural heritage for us,” said Xie Zuomin, former general manager of Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group Company Limited.

In April 1997, then deputy secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee Xi Jinping inspected the Mawei Shipyard, which originated from the Foochow Arsenal.

At that time, plans were underway to construct a riverside avenue that would pass through the Mawei Shipyard. The construction would affect production and more importantly, may cause damage to the century-old remains. Upon learning about this, Xi suggested using an elevated bridge to minimize the impact on the shipyard.

In 2016, the Mawei Shipyard was relocated to Culu Island of Fuzhou, embarking on a path of high-quality development. At the same time, its original site has been fully protected and transformed into a cultural area.

Stepping into the cultural area, historical imprints of China-France exchanges come into view. The steam engine workshop, which was built in 1867 and designed by French engineers, adopts the truss structure of modern industrial workshops and is the birthplace of China’s first practical steam engine. Upstairs, the painting and design institute specializing in ship drawing and design showcases a typical French decorative style. Dozens of modern ship designers have emerged from there.

The enduring bond between the Chinese and French people, originating from the Foochow Arsenal, has withstood the passage of time and remains strong today.

In 2014, Laurent Fabius, then French foreign minister, and Marie-France Marchand-Baylet, president of the Groupe Depeche Foundation, visited the Museum of Foochow Arsenal 1866 and the steam engine workshop. Fabius presented a statue of Giquel to the Fuzhou municipal government in recognition of Giquel’s contributions to France-China exchanges. The Museum of Foochow Arsenal 1866 collected and exhibited the statue.

At the end of 2023, China’s first folding progressive multidimensional experience play “The Glory Belongs to Foochow Arsenal” was officially performed in a former maintenance workshop of the Foochow Arsenal. Viénet visited China once again to watch the play. This time, he brought to China two pieces of good news: the complete compilation of Giquel’s diary and the translation of Giquel’s memoir in cooperation with a Chinese scholar.

“We are preparing to establish a ‘Friends of Giquel’ non-governmental association, aiming to connect with the descendants of French nationals who worked for the arsenal and Chinese students who studied in France, to carry on the century-long history of China-France exchanges and promote cooperation in the new era,” said Wei Hui, the great-grandson of Wei Han, one of the first Chinese students of the Fujian Naval Academy to study in France. His proposal has been supported by many departments.

Today, construction is in full swing on the eastern side of the Foochow Arsenal cultural area. A wide underpass has been put into use, reconnecting the arsenal that was once divided by an elevated bridge into two parts.

“With a focus on heritage preservation and cultural exhibitions of shipbuilding relics, the Foochow Arsenal cultural area will continue to develop a cluster of modern industrial museums, telling the story of exchanges between China and other countries to the whole world,” said Liu Jiangyuan, director of the management committee of Fujian shipyard culture.

Akpabio charges Scout Association of Nigeria on Ethics, Civic Education

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has urged the Scout Movement of Nigeria to inculcate in Nigerian youths virtues of national ethics and the need to be prepared for any eventuality in life all the time.

Senator Akpabio gave the charge when the Chief Commissioner of The Scout Association of Nigeria, Dave Padopads-Awunah led other executive members of the Association on a courtesy visit to the President of the Senate at the National Assembly.The Scout Association of Nigeria on Thursday paid a courtesy visit on one of their own, the President of the Senate, H.E Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio to brief him on the forthcoming Nigeria Scout Parade and President’s Award event coming up in Abuja from 17-21 May, 2024.

In his opening remarks, The Chief Commissioner of Scout of Nigeria, Dave Padopads-Awunah expressed their joy over the elevation Senator Godswill Akpabio to the position of President of the Senate of Nigeria, stating that the quality of Senator Akpabio as a young scout has propelled him to excel in his tasks as one of the best governors Nigeria has ever seen and now his strides in his short stay as President of the Senate.

Padopads-Awunah further recalled the role the senate president played by paying for scouts and ensuring Nigeria Scouts were represented at the world scout jamboree in Japan during his period as governor.

In his response, the senate president expressed his joy at the visit and recalled with nolstagia, his period as a young scout. He highlighted the tenets of scouting which he said help in molding the character of persons who grow in good citizens of their country.
He stated his commitment to amend the Boy Scout Act of Nigeria and also assist the association in delivering on their core mission to the young people of Nigeria

A statement by the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Senator Akpabio as having advised the Association on the need for discipline, continuous education on issues like climate change and artificial intelligence.

According to Senator Akpabio, “I don’t know at what stage that Nigeria stopped having organizations like yours in primary and secondary schools. In my time, we had Scout Movements in primary and secondary schools. We even use to have the female counterpart, The Girls’ Guide.

“These Movements inculcated right ethics and ethos on the young ones, getting them to know their country, the national pledge, national anthem and respect for national symbols like the national flags and currency.

“The Scout Movement should prepare the youths for leadership in all spheres of life and that is why the motto of the Scouts, “Be Prepared” appeals to me. You should be prepared for situations that are favourable, be prepared for the rainy season and dry season; be prepared for the season of bountiful harvest and even famine,” he said.

Senator Akpabio extolled the Scouts Movement as a disciplined organization which should be encouraged through training and retraining on contemporary issues like climate change and artificial intelligence and pledged the support of the National Assembly in their programmes.

Mr. Awunah who led the delegation intimated the Senate President on the forth-coming Nigeria Scout Parade and President’s Medal Awards, sought the collaboration of the National Assembly in executing their programmes that would ne of immense benefit to Nigerian youths.
The deputy senate president and other leaders of the senate were present at the event where the President of the senate was decorated by the Chief Commissioner alongside his colleagues

Senator Natasha condemns abduction of CUSTECH students, seeks enhanced security

From Lateef Taiwo

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central senatorial district, has strongly condemned the recent attack on the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, in which several students were abducted by gunmen.

She equally called for an improved security, describing the attack as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” adding that innocent students should not be subjected to such a heinous act.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that learning environments must be protected from such attacks and urged security agencies to ensure the safe release of the students and bring the perpetrators to justice.

She offered her support and assistance to ensure the students’ safe return and emphasised the need for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

According to information released by the university, the attack occurred at approximately 8:23 pm on Thursday, May 9th, when gunmen attacked the university, located in Adavi local government area of Kogi, and abducted an unspecified number of students who were studying for their first-semester examinations.

Lagos-Kano Rail Line to Commence Freight Operations Soon – Minister

Freight services at Lagos-Kano
narrow gauge project will soon commence operations, as the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) announced that the line has been linked up to Zawaciki Dala Dry Port in Kano.

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Alkali gave the hint in Kano on Thursday during an inspection tour of the project.

The Minister noted that, the commencement of freight operations would preserve the livespan of the nation’s highways as well as save more Nigerians from dying in auto accidents.

The Minister expressed satisfaction at the pace of work on the Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail corridor stating that there is marked improvement from what he saw during his first inspection visit to the site.

He visited Kaduna-Kano, the site towards Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano, from where he proceeded to kano-maradi, Kazaure, passed through Dambata to Kazaure and finally Daura, where he inspected the Federal University of Transportation in Daura.

“This is the second leg of my inspection since I took over as the minister of Transportation and the essence of the inspection is to see by myself with a team from the ministry of Transportation and Engineers from the Railway Corporation and the consultant and the contractors so that we ensure compliance in term of time and in terms of specifications but the impression I have from the last visit I came, the progress is remarkable from what I have seen”.

“We came all the way from Kano, we drove on the formation that they did, they are doing the earthwork and the culvert and this is a station where they have started preparing the rail lines and the slippers so that they will use their locomotive to convey the materials on the rail line”.

“I have just discussed with the contractor, we are going to segment the project by the grace of God. We are going to put kano-Daura next year and Faira to Maradi in 2026 and Dutse to Kano in 2026.

“It is not this one that is ready for freight. you know, the inspection is in two phases, the one we did today, we inspected kaduna to kano and Kano to Daura and Daura to Maradi.

“The one for Kaduna to Kano, the contractor is CCECC. We are going to put the freight hopefully in the next one month from Lagos to Kano on the narrow gauge.

“We inspected the rail line from the existing Narrow gauge to Dala Inland Dryport because that is where we are going to drop the containers. That one still stands, by May lately by June, we are going to put that Corridor into Freight from Lagos to Kano”.

“By this, it will bring the cost Of business to be low. We will reduce the menace of road traffic accident. We will save our highways and the multiplier effect is on the GDP growth of the country.

Presidency officials with ‘satanic’ succession plans behind el-Rufai, Yahaya Bello’s ordeal – APC chief

Says ‘if they don’t repent, Tinubu’ll attend their funeral’

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Jesutega Onokpasa, has revealed that certain appointees of President Bola Tinubu are plotting to succeed him before the end of his tenure and are seriously wishing that the President will not make it to 2027 for their selfish reasons.

Onokpasa, a lawyer and former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who lamented the alleged hypocrisy, pull him down mentality and anti-party activities going on in the governing party, laid curses on those he accused of wishing Tinubu dead, saying, “If they don’t repent, Asiwaju will attend their funeral.”

He said this in a video, where he was seen addressing party members and drawing their attention to the belief that the ongoing drama around the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s allegations against former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; and the continued attack on former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, were plans mapped out by these individuals to allegedly perfect their plans.

Expressing concern over ill treatments, selective prosecution and hounding meted out on some prominent chieftains of the party since the emergence of Tinubu’s presidency, Onokpasa alleged that the particular appointees he was referring to in Tinubu’s government were behind the ordeals of former Governors Yahaya Bello, Nasir El- Rufai and Abdullahi Ganduje in order to perfect their “satanic” succession plans, while allegedly wishing that the President would no longer be around by 2027.

Referring to a particular appointee of Tinubu whose name was not mentioned, the chieftain said, “You drive Rufai away, you start hounding Ganduje, although there are other things involved, you start attacking Yahaya Bello, what did you do? You don’t have mandate my friend, you are just an appointee… you think we don’t know what is going on?

“Listen, Asiwaju is a child of God. Asiwaju will rule this country for eight complete years. There is nothing anybody can do about that. He will rule this first four years, he will so perform, Nigerians, again, will vote for him and next time around, we will win a majority of the total votes cast. So, all these your satanic plans, plotting that our President will not make it to 2027, you are wasting your time. Get that through your head.”

The party chieftain, who Nigerians know to be a die-hard supporter of President Tinubu, also angrily bemoaned what he called the attitude of “using and dumping” people who worked for the victory of the President in 2023, while those who were against the President and even insulted him, were being given priorities “over authentic supporters and genuine Batists.”

Onokpasa, who was also a member of the APC Presidential Legal Team and Chairman, Tinubu Media Support Group, said, “Of recent concern to me is the case of my younger brother, His Excellency, the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. In this party, we have had our brother, the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai basically chased out of our party despite what he did for us to make us win. Now, it is Yahaya Bello. A few weeks or months ago, it was our National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje that was basically almost being chased from our party.”

Blowing hot against those behind the ugly trend, who he claimed were arrogating powers to themselves at the detriment of Tinubu’s wellbeing, and warning them to desist, Onokpasa stated, “Listen, we cannot tolerate such nonsense in a party. Let everybody in this party come to his senses. We know how we won election. We won election because of the grace of God, because the grace of God is upon our President, Asiwaju. We won election with the lowest margin. This our government has the lowest margin since 1999. We won with less than 40 per cent of the votes. In every other election, someone had won with 50 per cent of the votes.

“Everybody that contributed to our victory is important to me, because me, I am a fanatical Batist. This is the way I see Bola Tinubu’s administration. Bola Tinubu is a child of grace. The way I see it, God wants Bola Tinubu to be our President and we need him to be our President for eight years. What we should all square up to right now is a question of, there is no need to beat about the bush; there are people in our party who don’t believe in our President. For whatever reason they feel, I don’t know where they went to, that’s their headache.”

He cautioned those wishing Tinubu dead, stressing that the president would make it beyond 2027.

“Even after that eight years, he (Tinubu) will become an elder stateman for many years after that and none of you … all of you doing this rubbish, if you don’t repent, Asiwaju will attend all of your funerals. I am the one that is saying it,” he said.

Onokpasa recounted how a young man died in Edo State after wishing the President dead, saying, “I will like to share a story with you. There was this young man in Delta State where I come from. He had the guts to come to me and he said, uncle, this man, Bola Tinubu that you are supporting is going to die before the election and I told him, are you the God that created him? Do you know what happened? May his soul rest in peace, he died before Bola Tinubu won election.”

“There are people in this party who don’t believe in Asiwaju, they never believe that Asiwaju can make it to 2027. Do you know what? All these people, if they don’t repent, Asiwaju will attend all of their funerals. They are mad! They don’t have mandate, it is Asiwaju we voted for, it is Asiwaju that has mandate, it is Asiwaju that is the President. And we need Asiwaju to run complete eight years to finally make this country the pride of the black race,” APC chieftain stated.

On the Bello-EFCC controversy, he said it was for the court to decide, stating, “Nobody is supporting corruption. However, we fight corruption according to law and you will not have a personal indifference with somebody and then you use the instrumentality of office to torment that person. We will not tolerate that in this party. We must not.”

He also lambasted a particular appointee that he portrayed to be high-handed, alleging that the appointee funded an opposition member against the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, during the Kogi State governorship election.

The popular Tinubu loyalist said, “I mean, can you imagine the nonsense. You sponsored somebody who left our party, he used to be a member of our party committee, you claim to be a member of our party, you now sponsor him against our own candidate, Usman Ododo, you give him money, he lost, we defeated him. Sorry! Then, you say his lawyer, my learned friend, Jibril Okutepa, he is the one that you now brief to torment Yahaya Bello?

“I am very proud of Yahaya Bello, Yahaya Bello helped Asiwaju to win election. Anybody who helped Asiwaju to win election is my brother. He is my father’s son that my mother gave birth to. I don’t owe you any apology, who are you? Nonsense! You will turn all of us to cowards?

Angst against Igala Elders’ Conspiracy with EFCC to Take Out Yahaya Bello…

‘Igala Kingdom’s cohort with EFCC will surely fail…’

Tinubu urged to swiftly protect Bello.

Based on the ongoing hounding, harassment, media blackmail and trial including using state apparatchik to malign, intimidate and take out the former Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, we are compelled to issue the following terse statement to put all the scenarios in proper perspective for Nigerians to know the succinct truth:

  1. As members of Humanity Africa (HM), we have watched with utter sadness and serious concern, the news going round on the plot to take out the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in a grand conspiracy between a section of the Igala Elders, Social Democratic Party (SDP) leadership and some forces controlling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The story, credited to an active member of the opposition from the Igala axis of the state, could have been ignored as the ranting of some desperate political fortune-seekers and drowning men. But for the visibility of the person in series of threats against Yahaya Bello campaign of calumny, including the sponsored protest staged recently in front of EFCC headquarters in Abuja aimed at giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it, which was also targeted at giving a “guilty-as-charged” verdict against an innocent person. This should not happen until the accused person is supposedly proven guilty by a competent court of law. We condemn in its entirety the lackluster shenanigans of the EFCC – in tandem with the Igala Elders and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) leadership to “kill” Yahaya Bello at whatever cost. That informs our reason for calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of the embattled former governor.
  2. The said rogue agent, working in collaboration with others, has appeared as a politician and in another breath, heads a pseudo-NGO in thick plot and in support of the persecution agenda against Yahaya Bello.
  3. But for the twist in the antics employed by the politicians, so-called elders and another partisan lawyer, cooking up blatant lies, clandestine plots and mischief disguised as anti-corruption narratives (but clearly a sectarian agenda and ethnic motive to take Yahaya Bello out of circulation at all cost and by all means because of his Ebira ethnic stock). This, we understand, is also aimed at wiping the Ebiras out of future political struggles, calculations, permutations and state matters and is, indeed, condemnable by discerning Nigerians.
  4. Haba! The utter rubbish, unfounded and contradictory statements credited to the EFCC Chairman, during his desperate media conference are a sad reminder and narrative of how dispassionate the Commission has been operating under the present and past leadership. The selective nature of the handling of the Bello’s case has eroded the passion and commitment of the Nigerian people in the fight against graft in order to settle political and sectarian scores.
  5. It is on record, that Yahaya Bello has consistently paid school fees for his children over the years. But some characters in the EFCC hobnobbing with others pursuing ethnic and primordial agenda and sentiments twisted logic on its head just to give Bello a bad name in order to hang him, claimed he only paid the school fees at the twilight of his administration leaving the Kogi State Government House.
  6. The mere involvement of ethnic champions in the contrived narrative against Yahaya Bello by EFCC, with all the complexities and cleavages associated with governance, shows the Commission’s desperation and clannish attitude in acting out a script at the behest and inducement of tribal jingoists still nursing an injury of electoral defeat suffered by them during both the Presidential and Governorship elections held in the state last year. They should hide their heads in shame and move on and take their defeat in the spirit of sportsmanship.
  7. Every reasonable person knows the antecedents of the people fighting Bello and the interest they are still serving. They are either suffering from amnesia or surely taking Nigerians for fools. It’s either of these postulations that can only explain their naked hatred for Bello’s political dexterity, sagacity and the magnitude of bitterness and anger they have deployed against him for his refusal to allow them hijack the treasury of Kogi State as well as refusal to grant them unfitted access to the political empire. In fact, they are working to make President Tinubu the fall guy after they finish dealing with all the people that mobilized and voted for him into office, not minding the fact that 2027 is just by the corner and Yahaya Bello is still a factor in Kogi politics and national landscape. We ask the state apparatchik to thread carefully in this matter and let reason override the emotions of hounding a reliable party man and stakeholder whose only offence is in overwhelmingly winning the presidential elections for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in spite of what transpired before, during and after the elections. We ask that we should all ‘MOVE’.
  8. The issue of the EFCC’s arbitrariness and selective persecution of suspects has been settled a long time ago. It is a fact that everyone, except dishonest minds, knows the present Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume during his tenure as Governor of Benue State, and how he went to court and secured an order against the EFCC then. After his exit, till date, the Commission has never harassed, but has rather allowed the judicial process to take its course and take care of itself. So many other cases abound in our history, as encapsulated by both Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa and Chief Mike Ezekhome (SAN) amongst so many other distinguished legal luminaries who have spoken against the Gestapo-like handling of the allegations against Yahaya Bello and similar cases based on previous rulings in courts of competent jurisdiction.
  9. If the people haunting Bello are sincere with themselves, they should recuse themselves from any form of subjudicial act and brigandage against him and allow the courts to decide his case devoid of interference in any manner whatsoever. It doesn’t seem likely that Bello is going to have justice in the hands of these fifth columnists who are hell-bent on achieving illegality, and people deficient in fairness, objectivity and the rule of law.
  10. It is on record, that the same EFCC, in a similar undemocratic manner and clear breach of the fundamental rights of late Hon. Morris Ebekwe (then incumbent of the House of Representatives), was arrested for advanced fee fraud and was incarcerated for a very long period of time in a purely bailable offence. He was left in detention without trial until his eventual death under very suspicious circumstances. The then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was blamed for the death of the man and, as such, we do not want such to happen to our youthful presidential hopeful and a shinning light of the Ebiras.
  11. Nigerians are genuinely concerned and troubled with the revelation coming from a section of the Igala Elders Forum of Kogi State. There are more to it than meets the eye; hypocrisy and fraternization between the Commission, the infamous Igala group and some SDP leaders including compromised or vested interest personalities, are working based on ethnic induced agenda to give Yahaya Bello the exact type of evil treatment applied to late Hon. Ebekwe in EFCC custody. There is even an increasing tone of desperation by some clowns urging Bello to submit to people working round the clock to deny him justice. These same characters would turn round to push the blame game against President Bola Tinubu by the time they finish with Bello, during his expected incarceration.
  12. It is the candid opinions of many Nigerians that the war against corruption under Magu, Bawa and present Olukayode is tainted, derailed and tailored towards serving another interest different from the one of Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu. They are also having reservation on the powers being used by the Commission against state governors and their appointees without the needed requisite complaints or indictment from the constitutionally created State Houses of Assembly, as enshrined in our laws. The appropriate thing for the EFCC is to concentrate on the thousands of cases related to treasury banditry at their federal jurisdiction. Of particular interest to us is the case of the failed Jos-to-Maiduguri rail-line project awarded in the year 2012. The sum of more than N23 billion US dollars was paid to shadowy contractors with nothing to show on ground to justify the expense. There are so many abandoned cases related to corruption and abuse of office, including others directly linked to operatives of the Commission that exited from the service after they became wealthy. This aspect is for another day.
  13. We have agreed that some people are pretending to be fighting corruption, shedding crocodile tears seeking to earn the confidence of President Tinubu. Our candid advice is that such persons must desist from such devilish acts and not seek to do so by taking sides or sympathizing with ethnic motivated cases. Some politicians who have something to hide or seeking to settle scores, are behind these uncanny ways of ambushing President Tinubu’s government. We therefore, implore the President, as the unbiased personality we know, as father of all, to protect Yahaya Bello against the people trying to give him the Ebekwe treatment. We all know that over the years, President Tinubu has fought against arbitrariness and high handedness of the EFCC under the Obasanjo-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) era and stood by several politically-exposed persons maltreated with similar suffocating tactics akin to this Bello matter persecuted by the EFCC and their running dogs during the said era of locusts. The President himself was a victim of frame-up and phantom charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in which he came out victorious because he was unjustly being persecuted based on rhetorics. The same can be seen today also and we must tread carefully and not allow emotions becloud our judgement.
  14. After all, by our laws, offenders are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, by a competent court of jurisdiction after being tried and evidences against such persons weighed before exacting punishment and sentences.

Signed:

COMRADE WALE ADEGOKE
Convener, Humanity Africa (HM)

COMRADE ISMAIL IBRAHIM BAKORI
Secretary, Humanity Africa (HM)

Chinese MOOCs share China’s digital education achievements worldwide

By Wu Dan, People’s Daily

The spring semester of the Peking University Global Open Courses has kicked off as scheduled. Students from China, Azerbaijan, Japan, Turkey and other countries gathered in virtual classes at Peking University, waving hello to each other via video link.

Allowing students from different countries to share the same class is exactly the attractiveness of China’s Massive Open Online Courses, also known as MOOC.

ICourse and XuetangX, renowned MOOCs platforms in China, offer over 1,000 online courses in 14 languages for university students and learners worldwide. They have created over 340 global hybrid classrooms and are working towards mutual credit recognition among prestigious universities.

Starting from 2013, China’s MOOCs platforms have launched over 76,800 courses and attracted 454 million registered users. Serving nearly 1.28 billion learners in China and extending their reach internationally, they have not only empowered Chinese students but also contributed Chinese wisdom and solutions to global higher education.

By increasing their global outreach, these platforms disseminate knowledge and, more importantly, showcase China’s educational philosophy and promote the diversified development of cultures around the world.

For instance, Tsinghua University launched a global open course named “China’s Approach to Poverty Eradication,” providing a panoramic picture of China’s endeavor on poverty reduction and its contributions to the world. China Academy of Art introduced MOOCs such as “The Essence of Chinese Figure Painting” to highlight eastern aesthetics in the exchanges and mutual learning of world civilizations. Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine launched a MOOC on acupuncture in both Chinese and English, which was picked by XuetangX for promotion in Indonesia.

The rich and diverse online courses offer a window into understanding China. Through this window, more and more people can appreciate the profound heritage of Chinese culture and gain a more authentic, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive understanding of the real China.

With a global outlook, Chinese MOOCs are sharing China’s digital education achievements and promoting exchanges and cooperation among institutes of higher education worldwide.

For example, Southwest Jiaotong University developed MOOCs related to the Belt and Road Initiative, which have trained more than 5,000 rail transit professionals from over 80 countries and benefited over 200 universities and more than 100,000 online learners home and abroad.

Southern University of Science and Technology helped bring smart classrooms to 13 Asian and African countries such as Cambodia and Kenya, providing local students with access to cutting-edge educational concepts and knowledge.

By sharing high-quality MOOCs courses, promoting teaching collaborations, and deepening international exchanges, China has transitioned from a major importer of educational resources to a major exporter of quality course resources, contributing to the development of a more open, inclusive, and shared educational environment.

At the 2024 World Digital Education Conference, the World Digital Education Alliance was established, joined by 104 institutions from 41 countries and regions. Besides, China’s National Smart Education Platform has introduced its international version, providing round-the-clock services for learners worldwide. Education shapes the future, and MOOCs are opening up more possibilities in education.

China’s achievements in sci-tech innovation lauded by participants to 2024 ZGC Forum

By Wang Hui, Guo Ziyun, People’s Daily

The 2024 Zhongguancun Forum (ZGC Forum) was held in Beijing from April 25 to 29. Themed “Innovating for a Better World,” the forum focused on cutting-edge and trending topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), space science, life and health, carbon peaking and neutrality, and future industries.

Scientists, business leaders, government officials, and representatives from international organizations from over 100 countries and regions came together for in-depth discussions and innovative solutions.

Foreign participants said China’s focus on innovation-driven development has emerged as a standout feature of the country’s economic and social development, propelling technological breakthroughs and fostering new industries, new business models, and new drivers of growth.

They noted that China is committed to true multilateralism and shares the benefits of innovation with other countries, thereby contributing to global development.

At the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center, a new venue for ZGC Forum, many participants are interacting with bionic humanoid robots. With natural facial expressions and body movements, the robot was able to fluently answer visitors’ inquiries about the forum’s location, schedule, and other information.

Such new technologies, products and ideas were everywhere in the venue.

“Chinese modernization and the innovation-driven development strategy have made significant contributions to world economic growth and sustainable development,” said Marco Aleman, Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

He further noted that China ranked 12th in the Global Innovation Index 2023 released by the WIPO, the only middle-income economy in the top 30. Besides, China has become the economy with the most “top 100 science and technology clusters” worldwide.

“These achievements were made possible by careful planning and effective policy implementation,” Aleman added.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, lauded China for its well-defined research and innovation objectives in clean energy and the effective actions it has implemented to reach them.

He noted the critical role China has played in making photovoltaic technology more affordable, highlighting the profound implications this will have on emission reduction efforts in China and other countries.

Antonius H.J. Bisseling, a professor at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands and a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was impressed by China’s rapid technological advancements over the past 20 years.

Bisseling made his first trip to China in 2003 and has witnessed the remarkable progress made by the country. He said China has significantly reduced the manufacturing costs of new energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products, while also expanding their applications, which has greatly aided global efforts to reduce emissions. “The solar panel installed in my house last year was sourced from China,” said the professor.

The ZGC Forum is a national-level platform of China that aims to promote exchange and cooperation in global scientific and technological innovation. It has successfully held 14 sessions so far.

This year, “exchange” and “cooperation” remained buzzwords at the event. Foreign guests said that China actively fosters an open innovation ecosystem, expands international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, and provides an internationally competitive and attractive environment for innovation.

“China’s development in science and technology is impressive,” said Astrid Scherer, vice president of German multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Bayer. She highlighted China’s fast-paced R&D and advanced AI technology in healthcare, which are driving progress in clinical development both in China and around the world.

“China is a huge market with enormous opportunities,” said Johann Lohn, honorary chairman of the Steinbeis foundation, an institution headquarter in Germany dedicated to the technology and knowledge transfer between universities and the economy.

“With a robust and vibrant innovation ecosystem, Beijing has become a prominent innovation city globally. We plan to leverage our innovation network to establish our China headquarter and an international collaborative innovation center in Beijing, supporting talent development and international technology transfer in digital healthcare and green energy,” Lohn said.

Mustafa Shehu, President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, noted that the world is experiencing unprecedented technological transformation, accompanied by uncertainties.

“In the face of these changes and challenges, international cooperation is no longer a choice but a necessity,” said Shehu, encouraging active communication, insight exchanges, and collaborative partnerships. Through collective efforts, the innovative ideas generated at the forum can be translated into practical solutions, he added.

Quarraisha Abdool Karim, president of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) lauded the long-term collaboration between the TWAS and China.

“We share a common vision of promoting sustainable development through technology and innovation,” Karim said. She further highlighted China’s achievements in this regard, which have enabled low- and middle-income countries and technologically disadvantaged nations to nurture a group of outstanding scientists, develop scientific infrastructure, and enhance the well-being of their citizens.