Victor Oko-Jumbo is Rivers Authentic Speaker, Coalition Insist

Arising from an emergency meeting of like minded rights groups dedicated to fostering unity, transparency and public order has waded into the Rivers political crisis with a firm support for the Rivers State Assembly Speaker, RT. Victor Oko-Jumbo

This follows the Appeal Court judgement over the vacant seats of former Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers after their defection from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

In a statement signed by Peter Bawa, its National Coordinator and Convener, the groups said Oko-Jumbo remains the authentic Speaker of the House of Assembly recognised by law.

“We wish to state that the Court of Appeal did not make any declaration that Amaewhule and 24 others did not defect from the PDP to APC,” Bawa said.

“Furthermore, the Court of Appeal did not make any declaration that Amaewhule and others are still Rivers State Assembly members.

“This clearly means that their seats are still vacant, and Victor Okon-Jumbo is the rightful Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. This will remain so until a Court of Competent Jurisdiction says otherwise.”

The groups, therefore, urged Oko-Jumbo to remain focused on his primary assignment, aimed at bettering the lives of Rivers people, adding that in due course, these 25 former lawmakers will be disgraced again, and their true identity revealed to the world.

“We appeal to Oko-Jumbo not to be distracted by the recent judgement but to remain focused on his duties as Speaker. He is on the right track, and we encourage him to continue upholding the Constitution and serving the people of Rivers State,” Bawa said. 

“We applaud Victor Oko-Jumbo for his courage and commitment to upholding the Constitution and serving the people of Rivers State. 

“We urge him to continue to stand firm against the antics of these desperate politicians and to remain focused on his primary assignment. We also commend the people of Rivers State for their support and solidarity with Victor Oko-Jumbo and their rejection of the former lawmakers.

“We trust the Supreme Court to correct the errors of the Appeal Court by upholding the Constitution, which rightly spells out the penalty for defection.

“We have faith and confidence that justice will prevail. We call on all Nigerians to stand with us in this fight against injustice and to support Victor Oko-Jumbo in his efforts to uphold the Constitution and serve the people of Rivers State.

“Finally, we call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promptly conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant seats. This will ensure that the people of Rivers State are adequately represented in the House of Assembly and that democracy is upheld.”

Railway Engineering: Second Batch of Nigerians trained in China return

Nigeria Vice President, Hashim Shettima, has said that the Federal Government of Nigeria, targets 40 percent of its GDP from the transportation sector to fully utilize the nation’s population of o er 200 million, hence the ongoing railway sector reformation programm.
The Vice- President, made the remark Friday, while receiving officially the second  batch of Nigerian railway engineering graduates trained in China under the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company CCECC social responsibility programme.
Recall that the company, has already dispatched first set of railway engineering graduates who are already working at various sections offices of railway engineering company and the Nigerian railway cooperation (NRC)
Hashim, who was represented  during the occasion by Honourable Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, noted that the rewed hope agenda, is targeting the In transportation initiative where the country’s highest GDP comes from the transportation sector and possibly the railway  with the capacity to move and utilize the country’s population strength for economic growth.
While congratulating the returning graduates, he stated that they are now good products to contribute immensely in revamping the sector.
Speaking earlier, The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, assured government commitment to collaborate with Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company CCECC, in an appreciation to its efforts working with the present administration.
Senator Alkali, said that the company’s efforts and the programme execution, is inline with the Federal government renewed hope agenda targeted at bringing democratic divided to Nigerians through several collaborative efforts of multinational companies in Nigeria.
The Senate President Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who was also represented during the occasion, by Senator Amos Yohana, congratulated the returning graduates indicating that it time for the trained engineers to co tribute meaningfully to the economy of the nation ” of great importance is that these graduates were products of Goodwill from CCECC. It is important to acknowledge that it has helped in training over one hundred and ninty of our young citizens. We celebrate them with the companies cooperate responsibilities. We thank them for lighting the candle, not only for these children, but to show the corporate world of the need for such”.
The managing Director MD of CCECC,  Michael Yigao, stated that the company since 2018, has collaborated with the Federal Government of Nigeria and Chang’an University to select and sponsor young Nigerians for further education in China.
study in China before officially enrolling in their 4-year undergraduate program in Chang’an University. Known as “1+4 program”, this initiate has benefited 40 students who have already returned to Nigeria after graduation last year, and the remaining 72 students have also successfully completed their academic journey in China this year.
” Now I am delighted to see them sitting here with the joy of graduation on their faces and their hard-earned bachelor’s degrees in their hands. Congratulations to all of you!
Dear guests, as a company committed to strong corporate social responsibility, CCECC has consistently upheld its pledge to “stride with Nigeria” by sponsoring capability building and transferring technical know-how to young people. Today, as we witness this joyous moment, we celebrate not only the achievements of these young students but also the spirit of international cooperation and collaboration between the government of Nigeria, CCECC and Chang’an University”.It is through the combined effort of these parties that lives of these young people have been transformed”.
Alhaji Mamman Mustapha, a graduand who hail from Maiduguri, Borno state
said that the year 2018, was an extremely fortunate year for all the students. ” it was a year that changed our lives. As students jointly trained by CCECC and Chang’an University, it is not only an honor for us personally, but also a great fortune for our families and our country. While CCECC helped us realize our dreams, they also nurtured group of talents who can contribute to the construction of our nation.
“Moreover, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government for the opportunity.
Mustapha, who majored in road and railway transportation, informed that throughout the study in China, that the university provided him with a comprehensive curriculum, laying a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills for future careers.
“I have absorbed professional knowledge like a sponge. China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in railway transportation technology, and we hope to apply the knowledge gained in China to build a better transportation system in Nigeria, improving its efficiency and effectiveness.
“During my enriching study experience in China. interacting with Chinese students provided a platform for language exchange, where I enhanced my Mandarin skills and established lasting friendships. This experience exposed me to a diverse learning environment, fostering continuous learning, comprehensive thinking, and the ability to adapt to foreign cultures, thereby promoting personal growth and effective cross-cultural communication.
“Today, we stand at the starting point of our careers. It is gratifying that, thanks to the joint training opportunities, 47 students from the first batch of graduates have had the good fortune to join the large family of CCECC. I believe this demonstrates the power of collaboration.
“Our shared experiences in China have not only equipped us with technical skills but also fostered a global perspective and the ability to confidently navigate diverse environments. I also hope to join CCECC Nigeria Limited, to contribute my efforts, and to become a valuable asset to my homeland, Nigeria”.

Breaking: FG suspends operating licence of 10 private jet operators

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the permit of ten private jet operators for non-commercial flights over non compliance to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

According to a statement Friday by NCAA Director Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of PNCF from using their aircraft for CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, CARGO or MAIL for HIRE or REWARD (commercial operation or charter services) .

He said, as a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by the 19th of April 2024.

To this end, “the public is hereby notified that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes. The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations.

“Furthermore, NCAA officials have been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor activities of the PNCF holders, ” he said.

The affected jet operators are: Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd.

President Tinubu inaugurates Yuguda, Gawuna, Olanipekun, Balarabe, others as Chairmen, Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary Institutions

“… as former Nasarawa Speaker, Balarabe Abdullahi assures of bringing his worth of experience to bear in the new assignment…”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has inaugurated Wole Olanipekun, a Renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the Chairman of the University of Lagos Governing Council, HE Isa Yuguda, the former Governor of Bauchi State as Chairman, National Open University’s Governing Council and Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna the APC Governorship candidate in the 2023 Kano State election as well as Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Immediate Past Speaker. of Nasarawa State House of Assembly as Chairman, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu Yobe State among others.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Mamman Tahir while inaugurating the appointees today at National University Commission , Abuja tasked the appointees to add value to the development of Tertiary Education in the country.

Tahir said that Tinubu’s administration is being up and doing in ensuring that every Nigerian child have access to affordable and quality education in the country.

” Nigerians are yearning for quality education and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working tirelessly in ensuring quality education in the country,” he said.

He congratulated the Governing Councils Chairmen and members on their well deserved appointments and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Tinubu.

The Minister of Education urged the Governing Councils to always abide by the laws establishing their respective institutions in the interest of peace and for the overall development of the education sector in the country.

He also urged them to live above board while discharging their duties, saying that President Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption

The Minister of Education restated Tinubu’s administration’s commitment towards bettering the standard of education in the country.

On his part, The former Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, who was inaugurated as Chairman, Governing Council Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy of the appointment.

” I feel delighted and feel very happy. We are one of the fortunate ones among many Nigerians to be appointed by Mr President as Chairmen and members of the Governing Council of Federal Tertiary institutions in the country.

” We are going to key into His Excellency, President Tinubu’s good education policies and programmes to ensure improved standard of education in the country” he said.

Balarabe Abdullahi pledged to discharge his duties without fear or favour and in accordance with the law guiding his office.

” By the grace of God, I will justify the confidence reposed on me by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu as Chairman, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu Yobe State.

” We will not fail Mr President and we are not going to fail Nigerians, by the grace of God.

” I will discharge my duties diligently in order to take the institution to the next level of development,” he added

Balarabe Abdullahi called on the people of Nasarawa State and Nigerians to continue to support and pray for President Tinubu, Gov. Abdullahi Sule and other leaders to succeed.

Earlier, In their Goodwill messages, the Executive Secretaries, National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), National Board for Technical Education(NBTE) and National University Commission (NUC) respectively appreciated President Tinubu for constituting the Chairmen and members of Governing Councils of Federal Tertiary institutions in the country.

They said that the appointment of the chairmen and members would add value to improved standard of education in the country.

They also congratulated the appointees and wished them the best while discharging their duties.

Responding on behalf of other appointees, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Chairman, Governing Council, University of Lagos, appreciated President Tinubu for the appointments and pledged their readiness to reposition tertiary education in the country.

Group Kicks at Court Ruling Backing the Defected Lawmakers in Rivers State

In light of the absurd Appeal Court ruling nullifying the disgraced PDP Assembly Lawmakers whose seats were declared vacant as a result of their defection to the APC in Rivers State, a Pro-Democracy Coalition of Nigeria (PDCN) has rejected the ruling as it is in breach of the constitution.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Jack Thomas, the group described the court’s decision to nullify the expulsion of the lawmakers as a “black market judgment” that disregarded established legal precedent.

The Appeal Court also ruled that all activities executed by Hon.Oko Jumbo, Speaker loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara are null and void.

“We are absolutely discontented and dismayed by the judgment of the Appellate Court,” he said. “The ruling totally disregarded established legal precedent and has further exposed the failings of the Appellate Court in preserving constitutional democracy and the rights of citizens.”

“In Atiku Abubakar vs Attorney General of the Federation (2007), the Supreme Court held that defection from one party to another is only justified in cases of division, factionalisation, or fragmentation within the original party.

“Similarly, in Adetunde and the Labour Party, the Supreme Court ruled that a legislator cannot decamp and remain a member of a legislative house without showing division in their party.”

The group further described the ruling as “a charade” and called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to investigate the reasons behind the transfer of cases and ensure that the Supreme Court corrects the judgment.

“This is a sad day for democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria,” Thomas added. “Nigerians must hold the courts responsible for the rise of tyranny in Nigeria.

“The courts must deliver judgments that are sound and consistent with the law to preserve our democracy.”

The PDCN emphasiaed the need for judgments that are sound and consistent with the law to preserve Nigeria’s democracy, adding that Nigeria must not go back to the era of black market judgments.

Rivers: Group Rejects Black Market Ruling On Defection Case

The Pro-Democracy Coalition of Nigeria (PDCN) has rejected the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the defection case involving 25 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Jack Thomas, the group described the court’s decision to nullify the expulsion of the lawmakers as a “black market judgment” that disregarded established legal precedent.

The Appeal Court also ruled that all activities executed by Hon.Oko Jumbo, Speaker loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara are null and void.

“We are absolutely discontented and dismayed by the judgment of the Appellate Court,” he said. “The ruling totally disregarded established legal precedent and has further exposed the failings of the Appellate Court in preserving constitutional democracy and the rights of citizens.”

“In Atiku Abubakar vs Attorney General of the Federation (2007), the Supreme Court held that defection from one party to another is only justified in cases of division, factionalisation, or fragmentation within the original party.

“Similarly, in Adetunde and the Labour Party, the Supreme Court ruled that a legislator cannot decamp and remain a member of a legislative house without showing division in their party.”

The group further described the ruling as “a charade” and called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to investigate the reasons behind the transfer of cases and ensure that the Supreme Court corrects the judgment.

“This is a sad day for democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria,” Thomas added. “Nigerians must hold the courts responsible for the rise of tyranny in Nigeria.

“The courts must deliver judgments that are sound and consistent with the law to preserve our democracy.”

The PDCN emphasiaed the need for judgments that are sound and consistent with the law to preserve Nigeria’s democracy, adding that Nigeria must not go back to the era of black market judgments.

Group Urges Northern Elites to Support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

As the legacy projects fever grips the nation with insinuations in some quarters hinting at exclusion, the Concerned Northern Forum has called on Nigerians, especially northern elites to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his quest to deliver on the ambitious Renewed Hope Agenda.

The group made this call while reacting to a motion on the floor of the Senate by the former Governor of Gombe State and Senator representing Gombe Central, Senator Danjuma Goje, alleging that the North East has been excluded from the Renewed Hope road projects across the country.

In a press release signed and made available to journalists in Abuja by its spokesman, Comrade Abdulsalam Moh’d Kazeem, the group empathized with the distinguished Senator and other persons who share his sentiments but maintained that it is too early to complain as the administration is just one year in office with a lot of projects on the drawing board.

The release reads in part, “as northerners, we identify and applaud Senator Goje for his impeccable representation. We are however, constrained to point out that it is too early to complain as it is unrealistic to flood the entire country with projects all at the same time in order not to overwhelm the Ministry of Works in it’s oversight functions.

“Aside from that, major legacy projects are currently ongoing in the northern region like the Badagry-Sokoto Superhighway connecting the North West and the Kaduna-Abuja section of the Abuja-Kano-Maiduguri redesigned dual carriageway and many others. Plans are definitely underway to mobilise contractors to site on some parts of the Kano-Maidguri section of the road. It’s just a matter of time”.

The group therefore called on Senator Goje and other agitators to rather support the President to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the projects are in phases and there’s no way any region will be excluded as the Renewed Hope Agenda is a detailed and pragmatic blueprint for the overall development of Nigeria.

“As a core nationalist, there’s no way Mr. President will exclude the North East from his legacy projects, moreso that it is the home of his most trusted and loyal Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima. We must understand that these projects are in phases and it’ll get to every region in no distant time as the goal is to holistically develop the whole nation.

“In fact, even without the motion raised by Senator Danjuma Goje, Mr. President has already directed the Ministry of Works to audit previous road contracts and plans are already on the way to commence work on the Akwanga-Jos-Adamawa road project that was awarded by the former adminstration of President Muhammadu Buhari in spirit of continuity of governance.

“As a progressive government that listens to the yearnings of Nigerians, the Calabar-Makurdi-Jalingo-Yola-Maiduguri Highway as suggested by the Senator will be given the desired attention at the right time. All that’s needed at the moment is patience and an unwavering support for Mr. President’s policies and projects”, the statement concluded.

NAMA Trains Personnel on Aeronautical Information Management

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), has held a three-day training workshop on Aeronautical Information Management and collaboration of procedures for top-level management staff of the agency.

With participants drawn from the Aero-Comms and Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) departments of the agency across the country, the workshop which held in Lagos centred on the collaboration, harmonization and synergy among critical personnel of the agency, highlighting the importance of integrated procedures to enhance seamlessness and efficiency in the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of aeronautical data.

In his remarks while declaring the workshop open, Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Ahmed Umar Farouk, noted that the training workshop had become imperative as the agency and the aviation industry in general had gone digital in most of their operations, processes and procedures. He therefore charged participants to “brace up for automation which has come to stay in NAMA.”

 The NAMA MD who was represented by the Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr John Tayo listed the benefits of collaboration between communication and information services integrated procedures to include ensuring implementation of real-time updates of critical data such as NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) and weather reports; creating protocols for collaboration during emergencies to ensure rapid dissemination of vital information; and conducting joint training programs and simulation exercises to improve coordination and response times.

He listed other benefits to include developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that outline the specific roles and responsibilities of communication and information services personnel in various scenarios; ensuring that personnel are cross-trained to understand the workflows and challenges faced by their counterparts; developing automated systems for data transfer to minimize human error and enhance efficiency, among others.

“Aero-Comms and AIS departments are the backbone of information management in NAMA given that without information and data, air traffic controllers cannot function, just as pilots cannot fly. The world has moved from analogue system into digital dissemination of Aeronautical Information hence the need for Aeronautical Information Management system which is strictly the responsibility of the two departments,”Engr Farouk said.   

Schools across China embrace digitalization, build smart campuses

By Ding Yasong, People’s Daily

As a strategy on the digitalization of education is being promoted nationwide in China, information technologies are being applied in a more integrated and innovative manner at schools across the country.

Schools at all levels are actively exploring the construction of smart campuses and creating new forms of education to better promote the well-rounded development of students with digital technologies.

Today, in classrooms, quality teaching resources can be downloaded from the internet and shown on electronic screens; on playgrounds, smart sports equipment are making the break time more enjoyable. Besides, various school data and information can be accessed on smart phones.

In a primary school in Dongcheng district, Beijing, fifth-grade students were having a class on the fine traditional Chinese culture. On an interactive screen in the classroom, the Houmuwu ding, a rectangular bronze sacrificial vessel of the ancient Chinese Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC) was displayed.

As student Xing Chenyang gently slid his finger on the screen, the Houmuwu ding rotated accordingly.

“It’s 360-degree display,” Xing said, adding that it is difficult to see the complete Houmuwu ding even at the museum. “Now we can zoom in and explore every detail in high definition on the screen.”

“By utilizing multiple technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and cloud-based digital computing, we have digitized the resources of the fine traditional Chinese culture and placed them under virtual museum scenes, creating an immersive, interactive, and experiential classroom,” said Guo Zhibin, vice principal of Shijia Primary School.

According to him, the new teaching environment allows students to not only browse and listen but also develop their abilities to observe, think, solve problems, and express their opinions.

Intelligent devices have significantly improved teaching quality in vocational education, where practical skills are emphasized.

At a national demonstration base of virtual simulation training for vocational education in Nanchang, east China’s Jiangxi province, there are various equipment such as a simulated airport control towers, airplane models, and engine models.

“By wearing training glasses and holding an operation pen, students can see the internal structures of machineries and even disassemble and assemble them. It feels very real and intuitive,” said an executive of the development and operation department of the base.

Virtual simulation training breaks spatial limitations and allows students to improve their skills through low-cost and repetitive training, the executive explained.

The construction of smart campuses relies heavily on the continuous improvement of infrastructure. In China, the basic infrastructure for smart education has been established.

“Leveraging technologies such as gigabit optical networks and 5G, we enable widespread connectivity among teachers, students, devices, and educational resources,” said Zang Lei, deputy chief engineer at the institute of technology and standard research of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology.

“Smart campuses provide new teaching methods such as online learning, holographic classrooms, and virtual simulation experiments and training. These methods integrate high-quality courses and situational thematic resources into daily teaching, providing students with authentic and engaging learning environments, thus establishing a learning model that goes beyond physical classrooms and campus boundaries,” Zang explained.

A primary school in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang province has installed an intelligent sports system. The system, capturing the motions of the students practicing standing long jump with six high-resolution, high-frame-rate cameras, can provide feedbacks to help them improve.

“The intelligent sports system not only automatically collects and analyzes motion data but also generates reports based on students’ performance. With these reports, teachers now have a scientific support for their classes, making their teaching and evaluation more accurate,” said Li Qingli, deputy director of the educational information resource center at the Education College in Shangcheng District, Hangzhou.

Data is a crucial element in the construction of smart campuses. Effective data analysis and application help understand students’ conditions and enable personalized services, thus identifying teaching issues and facilitating science-based decision-making.

Intelligent digital technologies are also applied in smart services and management of schools. Zang said, “By upgrading campus management service platforms and establishing an interconnected comprehensive information system, we can provide fast and high-quality services to students and faculty while enhancing schools’ management and decision-making capabilities.”

A national big data center for the digitalization of education is currently being constructed to fully leverage data in supporting smart campuses.

“We aim to build a data governance platform that will enable various management services through the sharing of government data. This will lead to innovative applications in scenarios such as new student registration, targeted financial aid, and campus security,” said a relevant official with the Ministry of Education.

China makes huge progress in studies of lunar samples

By Zang Chunlei, Yu Sinan, People’s Daily

On June 25, the return capsule of China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe landed precisely in the designated area in Siziwang banner, north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, operating normally. The returner brought back samples collected from the moon’s far side for the first time in human history, marking another milestone in China’s space exploration endeavors.

On December 17, 2020, China’s Chang’e-5 probe retrieved about 1,731 grams of samples from the moon – the first ever obtained from a young lunar surface region of volcanic rocks by humankind. Over the past more than three years, the China National Space Administration has distributed 85.48 grams of scientific research samples to 131 research teams in seven batches. More than 70 achievements in multiple fields have been published on important Chinese and foreign journals.

Although the distributed lunar soil samples account for only about five percent of the collected samples, the scientific achievements cover multiple fields such as lunar formation and evolution, space weathering processes and mechanisms, and resource utilization, said an expert. Through the studies of lunar soil, mysteries of the moon are being unveiled.

According to the expert, the samples retrieved by the Chang’e-5 mission were from lunar basaltic rocks, formed when magma from the lunar mantle flowed onto the moon’s surface and solidified. They record the secrets of lunar evolution.

The landing site of the Chang’e-5 spacecraft was one of the youngest mare basalts located at a mid-high latitude on the moon. Previous studies estimated the age of the landing site to be between 1 to 3 billion years, but such estimations carried significant uncertainties.

Using a high-resolution dating technique independently developed by China, a Chinese research team dated the youngest rocks on the moon at around 2 billion years in age, meaning that the period of lunar volcanism was about 800 billion years longer than previously believed. This finding has also provided a crucial calibration point for the chronology of impact craters, significantly improving the accuracy of dating impact craters on celestial bodies within the inner solar system.

Based on the latest studies on lunar soil, Chinese scientists have proposed new mechanisms for the formation of young volcanoes on the moon and models for lunar thermal evolution, providing new directions and insights for future lunar exploration and research.

Lunar probes and observations over the past decade have suggested that water (OH/H2O) is widely present on the lunar surface, with polar regions having higher concentrations than equatorial regions. Besides, water ice has been found in the polar regions, undergoing dynamic changes based on the duration of sunlight exposure.

However, due to the lack of direct sample analysis, the origin and distribution of lunar water have been a subject of controversy.

Through infrared spectroscopy and nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry, a research team from the Institute of Geochemistry, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found that lunar soil grains retain a significant amount of solar wind-derived water by studying lunar samples retrieved by the Chang’e-5 mission. According to estimates, solar wind contributed to at least 179 ppm of water content in the lunar samples gathered by the probe.

The research team also found that in the mid-latitude regions of the lunar surface, solar wind has implanted a greater quantity of water in the outer layers of lunar soil particles than previously assumed, while the high-latitude regions of the moon may contain a significant amount of potentially usable water resources. Experts said that this discovery has important implications for the future utilization of lunar water resources.

Helium-3, a potential fuel for nuclear fusion, is believed to be a promising energy source. Scientists estimate that 1 million tons of helium-3 could supply the entire Earth with sufficient clean energy for 10,000 years. It is very scarce on Earth but abundant on the moon.

By analyzing the lunar soil samples retrieved by the Chang’e-5 mission, researchers have determined the optimal temperature parameters for extracting helium-3 from lunar soil. These crucial scientific data provide a foundation for China to estimate the total amount of helium-3 resources on the moon and to explore and develop the energy source in the future.

It is reported that a research team from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation, has picked out a single-crystal particle with a radius of about 10 microns from more than 140,000 tiny lunar particles retrieved by the Chang’e-5 mission, using X-ray diffraction and other technologies. The team has also decoded the particle’s crystal structure.

It has been officially approved as a new mineral by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), and named Changesite-(Y), a kind of phosphate mineral in columnar crystal found in lunar basalt particles.

Changesite-(Y) is the sixth new mineral discovered on the moon by humankind. The new finding has made China the third country in the world to have discovered a new mineral on the moon.

According to experts, all 10 lunar sample return missions conducted by humans by far have taken place on the near side of the moon.

The landing site of the Chang’e-6 probe was in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the lunar far side, which is the oldest and largest impact crater on the moon. The collection of samples in this region, a historic milestone for humanity, will enhance humanity’s understanding of the lunar origin and the evolution of the solar system.

Researchers said that with the studies on the lunar soil collected by Chang’e-5, they are full of expectations and confidence in studying the samples retrieved during the Chang’e-6 mission.