Niger Delta Contractors Lauds Interior Minister, Says He’s Renewing Hopes Of Nigerians

The Association of Niger Delta Contractors have commended Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, President Bola Tinubu’s Minister of Interior, describing him as an “agent of the Renewed Hope Agenda”.

Recounting his giant strides in the commendation contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, the group’s President Comrade Sylvester Tonye iyade who spoke to our correspondence recalled that over 60,000 passport backlogs was cleared within four days by the minister.

The contractors also recalled how Tunji-Ojo negotiated the release of over 4,000 prison inmates, as part of efforts to decongest correctional centers.

“The disturbing timeline for processing international passport has been addressed. There is now a two-week deadline for processing of new passports. This is highly commendable.

“We are totally convinced that the minister is an agent of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He is fast bringing Renewed Hope to Nigerians,” part of the statement read.

“This is the kind of leadership that Nigerians want to see, where things work

Jackson Ude, a Grand Patron of Calumny, Yellow Journalism, Deceit, and Cheap Blackmails- Coalition warns

A foremost coalition of Civil Society Organizations based in Abuja identified as Civil Society Groups for Good Governance CSGGG, on Wednesday, warned well-meaning Nigerians and the general public at large to disregard and desist from indulging Mr. Jackson Ude, an unverified self made journalist, according to report.

The group in a press release signed by its President, Comr. Ogakwu Dominic, revealed that Ude has overtime used his personal media platform to form defamatory opinions, and engage in a pattern of destructive behavior capable of tarnishing reputations of highly placed persons or those he feels are vulnerable in the eye of the public.

Viral report has it that Ude, recently started a campaign of calumny and character assassination against the Director General of the Department of State Services, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, bothering on misconduct, syphoning, posting based on nepotism, appointment and promotion of agents based on discretion and lobbying to remain the DG of agency, 

The group reiterating the need to scrutinize sources of information before publication; buttressed that the allegation of misconduct on Alhaji Bichi is obviously the outcome of office grapevine and a total misrepresentation of intent.

“As Nigerians begin to get disillusioned with the anachronistic and biased journalism practiced by Jackson Ude, the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, CSGGG, has urged all true patriots to be wary of his constant journalistic entreprise, calumny. Ude is a puppet of shadow parties that thrives on yellow journalism, blackmail and character assassination.

“A background check on Ude activities revealed and raised serious questions about the credibility of his accusations. This man has actively indulged in misrepresenting informations which is capable of tarnishing images and lowering the morale of performing public stewards. Bichi has committed all effort as the DG of the DSS in fighting insecurity and safeguarding the lives of Nigerians, he shouldn’t by any means be rewarded by weighty accusations without proof or evidence.

“As a group, committed and actively involved in policy reforms, shaping public opinion and actively engaging public institutions and officials at all levels, we maintain that no amount of intimidation and coercion from politicians and paid hands will stop civil society organizations from defending credible institutions and officials who are excelling in their positions, or have contributed in the entrenchment and continuity of democracy service to his nation.

President of the group, following a rather unprofessional and crude attack by Jackson Ude on CSOs in response to an expose of his sustained misinformation against the DSS and its incorruptible Director General (DG) Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, OFR fwc, the group insisted that no amount of blackmail can bring the integrity of Nigeria’s number one spy agency to disrepute.

“According to the statement, “Nigerians should know that Jackson Ude is a serial blackmailer who is not only paid to blackmail the DSS but any civil society organisations (CSOs) that rise to the defense of truth. He is clearly on the payroll of failed politicians who frustrated by the uncompromising stance of the DSS during last year’s elections have vowed to take their pound of flesh. However their insistence, such politicians will continue to fail as Nigerians are well aware of the great work the DSS is doing and the amount of pressure it is getting from desperate and failed politicians.

“Nigerians should know that Jackson Ude is a serial blackmailer who is not only paid to blackmail the DSS but any civil society organisations (CSOs) that rise to the defense of truth. He is clearly on the payroll of failed politicians who frustrated by the  uncompromising stance of the DSS during last year’s elections have vowed to take their pound of flesh. However their insistence, such politicians will continue to fail as Nigerians are well aware of the great work the DSS is doing and the amount of pressure it is getting from desperate and failed politicians.

“Jackson Ude needs to go to court if he has a genuine case against the DSS and its management as a responsible citizen and stop hiding behind baseless, sponsored, fallacious threats to carry out the wishes of his paymasters.

“Let us reiterate that the extreme desperation, attempts by the fugitive journalist to cast aspersions on the integrity of independent CSOs, some of which are sponsored by international agencies will not be tolerated. Nigeria’s democracy has matured with formidable civil rights group who act as watchdogs and hold government institutions and officials accountable for their actions. Insinuating that these army of dedicated and focused Nigerians are compromised is a wallow card and just another typical strategy of a deceitful conniving blackmailer.” It added.

The group, however, again called on well-meaning Nigerians to shun all forms of campaign of calumny and ntimidation sponsored to discredit very powerful and effective institutions of state.

Jackson Ude, a grand patron of calumny, yellow journalism, deceit, and cheap blackmails- Coalition warns

A foremost coalition of Civil Society Organization based in Abuja, Civil Society Groups for Good Governance CSGGG, on Wednesday, warned well-meaning Nigerians and the general public at large to disregard and desist from indulging Mr. Jackson Ude, an unverified self made journalist, according to report.

The group in a press release signed by its President, Comr. Ogakwu Dominic, revealed that Ude has overtime used his personal media platform to form defamatory opinions, and engage in a pattern of destructive behavior capable of tarnishing reputations of highly placed persons or those he feels are vulnerable in the eye of the public.

According to the report, Ude had recently started a campaign of calumny and character assassination against the Director General of the Department of State Services(DG) Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi bothering on misconduct.

The group reiterating the need to scrutinize sources of information before publication; buttressed that the allegation of misconduct on Alhaji Bichi is obviously the outcome of office grapevine and a total misrepresentation of intent.

” As Nigerians begin to get disillusioned with the anachronistic and biased journalism practiced by Jackson Ude, the Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, CSGGG, has urged all true patriots to be wary of his constant journalistic entreprise, calumny. Ude is a puppet of shadow parties that thrives on yellow journalism, blackmail and character assassination.

” A background check on Ude activities revealed and raised serious questions about the credibility of his accusations. This man has actively indulged in misrepresenting informations which is capable of tarnishing images and lowering the morale of performing public stewards. Bichi has committed all effort as the DG of the DSS in fighting insecurity and safeguarding the lives of Nigerians, he shouldn’t by any means be rewarded by weighty accusations without proof or evidence.

“As a group, committed and actively involved in policy reforms, shaping public opinion and actively engaging public institutions and officials at all levels, we maintain that no amount of intimidation and coercion from politicians and paid hands will stop civil society organizations from defending credible institutions and officials who are excelling in their positions, or have contributed in the entrenchment and continuity of democracy service to his nation.

President of the group, following a rather unprofessional and crude attack by Jackson Ude on CSOs in response to an expose of his sustained misinformation against the DSS and its incorruptible Director General (DG) Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, OFR fwc, the group insisted that no amount of blackmail can bring the integrity of Nigeria’s number one spy agency to disrepute.

“According to the statement, “Nigerians should know that Jackson Ude is a serial blackmailer who is not only paid to blackmail the DSS but any civil society organisations (CSOs) that rise to the defense of truth. He is clearly on the payroll of failed politicians who frustrated by the uncompromising stance of the DSS during last year’s elections have vowed to take their pound of flesh. However their insistence, such politicians will continue to fail as Nigerians are well aware of the great work the DSS is doing and the amount of pressure it is getting from desperate and failed politicians.

“Nigerians should know that Jackson Ude is a serial blackmailer who is not only paid to blackmail the DSS but any civil society organisations (CSOs) that rise to the defense of truth. He is clearly on the payroll of failed politicians who frustrated by the  uncompromising stance of the DSS during last year’s elections have vowed to take their pound of flesh. However their insistence, such politicians will continue to fail as Nigerians are well aware of the great work the DSS is doing and the amount of pressure it is getting from desperate and failed politicians.

“Jackson Ude needs to go to court if he has a genuine case against the DSS and its management as a responsible citizen and stop hiding behind baseless, sponsored, fallacious threats to carry out the wishes of his paymasters.

“Let us reiterate that the extreme desperation, attempts by the fugitive journalist to cast aspersions on the integrity of independent CSOs, some of which are sponsored by international agencies will not be tolerated. Nigeria’s democracy has matured with formidable civil rights group who act as watchdogs and hold government institutions and officials accountable for their actions. Insinuating that these army of dedicated and focused Nigerians are compromised is a wallow card and just another typical strategy of a deceitful conniving blackmailer.” It added.

The group, however, again called on well-meaning Nigerians to shun all forms of campaign of calumny and ntimidation sponsored to discredit very powerful and effective institutions of state.

Resign Now, Massive Crowd Tells Wike As Protesters Storm National Assembly 

A coalition of over 10,000 indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory and civil society groups, on Wednesday, held a massive protest calling for the resignation of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the capital city.

The protesters, who stormed the National Assembly complex, under the aegis of the Network of Civil Societies for Economic Sustainability said Wike is incompetent and lacks vision for the FCT. 

The crowd have never been seen in the history of protests in FCT before.

In his address, the group’s convener Adamu Kabir Matazu described the former Rivers State governor as callous, indecorous, uncouth, greedy, and selfish.

“Today, we stand united to express our concern over the direction of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the watch of Nyesom Wike. It’s abysmal and disturbing for the FCT to become an epicenter of controversy due to the misguided actions of Wike, which not only undermine President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda but also cast a shadow on the credibility of the federal government,” he said. 

“We are here today to demand the immediate resignation from office or sack of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT due to his deficiency in character required of his office and in a government that promises to renew the Hope of Nigerians. A government that wishes to give hope to its citizens must be run by men who possess quality character and not persons like Wike who are callous, indecorous, uncouth, greedy, selfish, and given to undue troublemaking and miscreants. 

“Wike has remained a difficult person to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and should be gotten rid of. While the Federal Government has been calm and calculated in its reforms and its explanations to citizens on the rationale behind the policies of government, Wike has been insensitive; insulting the collective sensibilities of residents of the Federal Capital and Nigerians in general. His actions are avoidably controversial and hurting and his diction has been foul, combative, and condescending as if he is a deliberate punishment sent to the Federal Capital Territory by President Tinubu.

“Wike’s alleged penchant for land grabbing and cronyism has begun to emerge as some of the land reforms are suspected to be targeted at dispossessing Nigerians of their properties and re-acquiring them through cronies. There is tension in the FCT under the brutal and sometimes criminal “Wike is Coming” menace. 

“His recent clash with the governor of Rivers isn’t just a mere disagreement but a display of dirty politics that has no place in a civilized society. His preoccupation with personal vendetta has diverted his attention from his primary responsibility, neglecting the critical objectives set by the federal government for the FCT

“His high-handedness in land policies, the revocation of lands, perceived animosity towards a particular section of the country, and the alarming manner in which lands are allocated, reeks of high-level corruption. His actions do not align with the government’s agenda for reforms and development in the FCT. Mr. Wike’s tactics, reminiscent of an emperor which he exhibited during his tenure as governor of Rivers State are detrimental to the progress and growth we seek for our FCT and the nation at large.

“Furthermore, Wike’s disregard for decorum in media address and his reckless remarks without considering their implications on the administration are not befitting of a public office holder. His lack of accountability and administration failures are evident, and his actions threaten to cause irreparable harm to the administration’s credibility.”

The Network of Civil Society for Economic Sustainability, therefore, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to contain the excesses of Wike. 

The statement added: “It is in the best interest of our nation that Mr. Wike’s disruptive tendencies are addressed promptly to safeguard the integrity of this administration and ensure that the objectives set for the FCT are pursued diligently and without distractions.

“Let us stand together in this call for accountability and responsible governance. Our nation deserves leaders who prioritize the public interest over personal agendas. Thank you.”

Edo 2024 PDP Primaries: Philip Shaibu is the man to Beat

In the upcoming 2024 governorship election in Edo State, one candidate stands out as the frontrunner and the man to beat – Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu.

As the Deputy Governor of Edo State and an aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Philip Shaibu has proven himself to be a capable and dedicated leader, who is ready to take Edo State to greater heights.

Shaibu’s speech, delivered with passion and conviction, outlines his vision for Edo State and highlights his achievements in the past seven years as Deputy Governor. He emphasizes the need for a more inclusive government, one that understands and addresses the pains and wishes of the average Edolite. Shaibu embodies the Edo Spirit and is determined to transform the state for the better.

Throughout his political career, Shaibu has demonstrated his commitment to serving the people of Edo State. He has been involved in key initiatives, such as managing the impact of the Lagdo dam flooding, leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, rescuing kidnapped citizens, and implementing innovative ideas to boost the state’s revenue.

As a legislator, Shaibu has delivered numerous projects, both at the state and federal levels, earning him the nickname “Mr Constituency Project.” He has fought tirelessly for the rights and well-being of the people, overcoming challenges and celebrating victories along the way.

Shaibu’s agenda for the upcoming election is built upon five core pillars that are vital to the progress and prosperity of Edo State. These pillars include infrastructure development and economic diversification, education, skill development, job creation, healthcare system and social welfare, agriculture, rural development, and poverty alleviation, as well as security, environmental sustainability, and transparent governance.

These pillars reflect the values and priorities of the people of Edo State and demonstrate Shaibu’s commitment to building a prosperous and inclusive future for all. His agenda focuses on creating opportunities for economic growth, revitalizing the education system, ensuring accessible healthcare, empowering farmers, promoting sustainable practices, and strengthening security measures.

Shaibu’s call to unite under the banner of progress and development is a powerful message. He urges the people of Edo State to rise above partisanship and sentiments, and come together to build a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.

Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu is the clear choice for the PDP in the primaries held in February 2024. His track record, dedication to service, and visionary agenda make him the man to beat. With the support of the people, Shaibu can reignite the Edo Spirit and transform the state for the better.

By giving him the ticket of the party, the PDP and her teeming members are assured of retaining power in Osadebay house come November 2024, as Comrade Shaibu is poised to bring the needed dividends of democracy that the state has been yearning for in the past seven years.

Comrade Erasmus Ikhide
Writes from Akoko-Edo

To understand China, key lies in understanding Chinese modernization

By He Yin, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Dec. 2 sent a congratulatory letter to the 2023 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) held in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province.

“To understand China, the key lies in understanding Chinese modernization. China is advancing the noble cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind,” Xi said. “China’s future is closely linked with the future of the entire humanity.”

Xi’s letter scientifically analyzed the general trend of the world today. It noted that to understand China, the key lies in understanding Chinese modernization, conveying the message that China looks forward to working hand in hand with the rest of the world to realize global modernization that features peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and prosperity for all.

The Understanding China Conference celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Over the past 10 years, Xi has sent congratulatory letters, delivered video speeches, or met with foreign representatives at the conference, expounding on China’s path and propositions to help the international community better understand China.

Facing accelerating changes unseen in a century and intertwined risks and challenges, China has acted as a responsible major country, making significant contributions to solving common problems and enhancing the well-being of mankind. The importance of understanding China and working together with China to create a better future is becoming increasingly prominent.

To understand China, the key lies in understanding the significance of Chinese modernization to the world. Thanks to a century of exploration and struggle, China has found the development path that suits it. It is now advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts by pursuing Chinese modernization.

Chinese modernization is the modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development.

Chinese modernization is deeply rooted in its fine traditional culture and reflective of the advanced nature of scientific socialism. It emulates and absorbs all outstanding achievements of human civilizations, represents the future direction of human progress, and displays a new prospect distinct from the Western model of modernization, thus creating a new form of human advancement.

Chinese modernization expands the channels for developing countries to achieve modernization, and provides a Chinese solution to aid the exploration of a better social system for humanity.

To understand Chinese modernization, we need to see the opportunities brought to the world by Chinese modernization. As the largest developing country, China has always placed its own development within the larger context of human development and created new opportunities for the development of the world through its own development.

Xi said that China is committed to broadening the convergence of interests with other countries, and will continue to provide the world with new growth momentum and opportunities through its own development.

As the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation unfold, China firmly adheres to the win-win strategy of opening up, accelerates the creation of a new development pattern, and promotes high-quality development. This will provide the world with more and better products made and created in China, and with a Chinese market of a larger scale and stronger demand.

Former Chancellor of Austria Wolfgang Schussel said that China has been building a market-oriented business environment, governed by the rule of law and internationalized, demonstrating its determination to adhere to a high-level opening up. Both China and the world stand to benefit from these efforts.

To understand Chinese modernization, we need to see that the modernization China is pursuing is not for the country alone. China looks forward not only to pursuing modernization for all developing countries through joint efforts, but also to realizing global modernization that features peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and prosperity for all.

Eying on the historical development of mankind with a broad vision of the world, Xi has proposed to build a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. These have contributed Chinese wisdom and solutions to promoting the progress of human civilization and building a better world, and assisted other developing countries in exploring a path to modernization that suits their respective national conditions.

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf believes that the important initiatives proposed by Xi have provided significant public goods for the world. When these initiatives are accepted by people who pursue peace and development, a road to common prosperity is built.

Realizing modernization is the common aspiration and due right of all peoples. As China’s own future is closely connected with that of other countries and peoples, China will strive to provide new opportunities for world development, add new impetus to humanity’s exploration of paths towards modernization and make new contributions to the theory and practice of humanity’s modernization as it makes new progress in Chinese modernization.

Expanding convergence of interests, building community of shared future

By Gong Ming, Zhang Penghui, Jiang Xiaodan, Luo Aihua, People’s Daily

The 2023 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) was held in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province from Dec. 1 to 3.

The conference, themed “China’s New Endeavors amid Unprecedented Global Changes – Expanding the Convergence of Interests and Building a Community of Shared Future,” was joined by over 600 participants from over 30 countries and regions, who had discussions on how to resolve common problems and improve the well-being of humanity.

Today, confronted with a weak global recovery and escalating geopolitical conflicts, humanity has once again come to a crossroads in history. “What kind of world we need and how to build such a world” has become a vital question with the future of humanity at stake.

At the 2023 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou), China’s new endeavors amid unprecedented global changes received huge attention, and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has gathered a broad consensus.

Former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome said that countries are interdependent in the world today, and mankind is a community with a shared future. China has taken the building of a community with a shared future for mankind as its responsibility, constantly providing the world with new opportunities through its own new development.

From deepening economic and trade cooperation and sharing development opportunities, to promoting green development and addressing climate change, Africa-China cooperation mirrors the goal of building a high-level Africa-China community with a shared future, he said.

Former Chancellor of Austria Wolfgang Schussel said that solving global issues such as climate change and regional conflicts needs common efforts from the international community. China is the second-largest economy in the world and has made indispensable contributions to world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Building a community with a shared future for mankind requires countries to support economic globalization and free trade, safeguard multilateralism, keep open cooperation and promote equality and justice, he added.

As an important practice in building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was a focus of discussion at the conference.

Mushahid Hussain Syed, head of Pakistan’s Friends of Silk Road Club and chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, noted that the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind represents a new worldview, which explains that mankind is a community with a shared future and countries must respect with each other and reinforce cooperation.

During the past decade since the BRI was proposed, the initiative has brought new development opportunities to Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and other regions, and built new platforms for strengthening global economic cooperation.

Following the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, we’ll build a world that’s more open, inclusive and interconnected, he added.

At the conference, participants had in-depth discussions on higher-level opening up and economic globalization, artificial intelligence and the future of humanity, the development of the digital economy and cybersecurity governance.

It was widely recognized that China’s commitment to promoting high-quality development with high-level opening up and the steady progress of Chinese modernization have injected positive energy into achieving common development through open cooperation.

The world is facing numerous challenges, and deepening cooperation between Europe and Asia is more important than ever before, said Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Hungary Barnabas Virag.

Virag remarked that China possesses many key technologies for sustainable development, such as clean energy, new energy vehicles, and biotechnology. Strengthening cooperation between European countries and China in areas including trade, climate change response, and sustainable development will benefit both sides, and will also help steer the international order towards a more just and reasonable direction.

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf said that China’s adherence to innovative development, which resulted in the rapid growth of information technology, big data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, aerospace technologies and more, sets an example for other developing countries.

The China-proposed BRI promotes connectivity and trade development, creates opportunities for international cooperation, and assists developing countries to achieve modernization, Sharaf added.

Zafar Uddin Mahmood, former Special Assistant to the Pakistani Prime Minister and president of the Understanding China Forum, said that China has made tremendous progress in economic and social development under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.  Adhering to a people-centered development philosophy, China aims to ensure that the gains of development can better improve people’s livelihood, which makes Chinese modernization an important example for other developing countries, Mahmood noted. As China shares its

Yancheng in E China’s Jiangsu makes innovation in wetland conservation

By Yao Xueqing, People’s Daily

Yancheng in east China’s Jiangsu province, home to a World Natural Heritage site and accredited by the Ramsar Convention as an international wetland city, boasts a coastline of 582 kilometers and a total area of 4,553 square kilometers of tidal flats.

It houses the largest coastal wetland on the edge of the Asian continent and on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean, which serves as an important resting, feeding, and molting ground for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian flyway.

Developing coastal wetland resources for nature education is one of the focuses emphasized in a 2023-2035 development plan on nature education released at the 2023 China Nature Education Conference.

Yancheng, leveraging its local wetland resources, has dug into popular science development. It has built specialized venues, innovated popular science formats, and encouraged social forces to hold diverse activities, in order to form a synergetic force for nature education.

The Yellow Sea Wetland Museum in Yancheng is a treasure trove. It houses over 1,000 exhibits, including precious specimens of sperm whale skeletons, red-crowned cranes, elks, and spoon-billed sandpipers. It also offers an immersive experience with a large-scale digital sand table, a holographic display, and a dynamic monitoring platform for the Yellow Sea wetland.

The museum has five permanent exhibition halls focusing on themes of international wetland city, the Yellow Sea ecological zone, bird migration, muddy coast and human-nature harmony, unfolding a beautiful picture of the harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

In the museum, there is a holographic display that vividly presents the migratory routes of birds in 4D animation, an interactive display wall that brings together 436 bird species in Yancheng, and exhibition boards that showcase popular science knowledge about the biodiversity on muddy coasts, which attract a huge number of citizens and tourists.

Wu Qijiang, chief curator of the exhibition and director of the Yancheng Wetland and World Natural Heritage Site Conservation and Management Center, noted that that Yancheng’s unique natural resources are exactly the foundation for the city to carry out natural education.

According to Wu, the five permanent exhibition halls of the museum have gone through over 100 adjustments and received 83,000 visits since the museum started trial operation in 2022.

Yancheng is leveraging the museum to build a main base for nature education. In addition to the Yellow Sea Wetland Museum which systematically tells wetland stories, nature conservation organizations in the city such as the Yancheng Wetland and Rare Birds National Nature Reserve and the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve have also launched special exhibitions for visitors.

Besides, some schools and public institutions in the city have allocated hundreds of square meters from their office space to build “mini museums,” showcasing the evolution of wetlands and secrets of birds to teachers, students and the general public.

Apart from venue construction, the local government has innovatively developed various forms of science popularization, both online and offline, to create a comprehensive science education platform.

In 2019, the Yancheng Wetland and Rare Birds National Nature Reserve, in cooperation with the municipal education bureau of Yancheng, published a nature education book themed on Yancheng’s wetlands. Every primary and secondary school in the city has received a copy.

Staff members of the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve also visited surrounding communities and collaborative institutions, to launch public legal education and science popularization campaigns, while establishing joint protection mechanisms.

The Yancheng Wetland and World Natural Heritage Site Conservation and Management Center has established an official website and accounts on social media platforms, publishing nearly 500 science popularization articles.

In recent years, social forces in the city have hosted a variety of educational and scientific activities, which have been well-received by the public.

Since the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase I) in Yancheng was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a natural site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in July, 2019, the Yellow Sea Wetland Museum, the Yancheng Wetland and Rare Birds National Nature Reserve, the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve, the School of Wetland of Yancheng Teachers University, as well as social educational institutions, have launched diverse and engaging educational activities, attracting primary and secondary school students to explore the wetland and discover the nature.

Jiangsu Yellow Sea Wetland Culture Development Co., Ltd., an enterprise focusing on wetland-themed business, education and research, has created a cartoon figure based on the endangered migratory bird, the spoon-billed sandpiper. The figure has been printed on T-shirts, cups, fans and other products sold in the gift shop of the Yellow Sea Wetland Museum.

Xu Hongxin, general manager of the company, told People’s Daily that the popularity of the figure exactly mirrors the process of nature education in people’s hearts

China brings new impetus, opportunities to rest of world with its own development

By Zhang Penghui, Gong Ming, Luo Aihua, Jiang Xiaodan, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Dec. 2 sent a congratulatory letter to the 2023 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) held in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong Province.

He analyzed the general trend of the world today, saying to understand China, the key lies in understanding Chinese modernization. He noted that China looks forward to working hand in hand with the rest of the world to realize global modernization that features peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and prosperity for all.

Attendees of the conference told People’s Daily that all countries in the world shared the same future, and all parties should join hands to cope with global challenges, promote common development of the world and enhance the wellbeing of mankind.

The steady progress of Chinese modernization, the expanding high-level opening-up of China, as well as the country’s efforts to promote high-quality development will provide important opportunities for the development of the world.

British scholar Martin Jacques noted that both the speed and achievements of China’s development over the past decades are rare in the world. He believes that Chinese modernization benefits the world and the country’s economic development has created new opportunities for the rest of the world.

David Ferguson, a foreign expert with Beijing-based Foreign Languages Press, has a deep understanding of Chinese modernization as one who lives and works in China. He said Chinese modernization, different from that in the West, is the modernization of common prosperity for all. China has achieved the goal of eliminating absolute poverty and enhanced the wellbeing of all Chinese people.

He noted that Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development, and China is always committed to win-win and all-win results, bringing opportunities to the rest of the world while pursuing its own development.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Vice President Vikram Channa told People’s Daily that his company hopes to present the grand topic of Chinese modernization to the audience from multiple perspectives.

It is reported that a documentary of China’s Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge co-produced by Warner Bros. Discovery and its Chinese partners has earned a high reputation among the audience for its multi-dimensional, broad-perspective and panoramic narrative of the construction of the mega project.

Chinese modernization has not only provided documentary filmmakers with ample creative space, but also presented rich visual elements and shooting scenes, Channa said, adding that his company is currently advancing multiple relevant projects and hopes to produce more China-themed documentaries so that the world can better understand the country.

Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium, who has had multiple visits to China, spoke highly of the forceful measures taken by China to expand institutional opening-up, calling the development of China one of the most stirring economic miracles.

As China enters a phase of high-quality development, a batch of internationally competitive enterprises have emerged. China’s opening-up and development as well as the country’s efforts to build an open world economy are good news to the world economy in sluggish recovery, Leterme said.

 Christopher Thomas, senior fellow at Brookings Institution, said that China is a huge market that creates tremendous opportunities for foreign companies and investors.

In the congratulatory letter, Xi emphasized that China will continue to foster a market-oriented, world-class business environment underpinned by a sound legal framework, and steadily expand institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management and standards, and this, Thomas believes, has released a very positive signal to foreign investors.

Neil Bush, chairman of the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, who has visited China multiple times this year, shared his experience of seeing towering wind turbines and massive solar panels during these visits.

He said he was impressed by China’s efforts to advance ecological progress and build a modernization characterized by harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

Noting that China is a world leader in developing clean energy and electric vehicles, he said U.S.-China cooperation can accelerate the application of the two countries’ advanced green energy technologies in more places around the world and make greater contributions to the global response to climate change.

He also called on all parties to further reduce trade barriers and let Chinese green industries benefit people in more countries.

“In today’s world, countries are closely connected with each other. No country is able to cope with climate change, post-pandemic recovery, international and regional security and other challenges alone. There’s an urgent need for them to cooperate closely and cope with challenges hand in hand,” said former Chancellor of Austria Wolfgang Schussel, who applauds the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Xi.

He said countries should properly deal with security concerns and prevent Cold War mentality from disturbing normal business exchanges.

Ferguson has joined the Understanding China Conference multiple time. He believes the conference provides a platform where personages from different countries communicate with each other and build closer friendships.

He said the theme of the 2023 Understanding China Conference (Guangzhou) – “China’s New Endeavors amid Unprecedented Global Changes – Expanding the Convergence of Interests and Building a Community of Shared Future” – bears important significance.

The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by China demonstrates the country’s commitment to improving global governance, promoting multi-polarization and safeguarding equality and justice, Ferguson noted.

Adesina: $34.82bn investment interest for sustainable corridors devt, shared prosperity across Africa.

The attention of the Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI) has been drawn to the Africa’s premier flagship news making event and formidable platform as a result of the remarkable milestones generated to the tune of 34.82 billion investment during the recently held Africa Investment Forum (AIF) market place in Marrakesh, Morocco from 8 to 10th November, 2023. The African renaissance platform of connectivity and corridors with its challenges of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inequality and inconsistencies of government policies including intra-African trade that has remained abysmally low at about 15% must be re-engineered for growth by the continent’s leaders, so as to meet with other developing nations. Indeed, African leaders has so much on their table to be delivered which has been championed by the AIF an arm of the AfDB to continuously guide, encourage and support the economic growth and paradigm shift in the continent.

The Africa Investment Forum (AIF), which is an arm of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), recently held an annual investment forum entitled ‘Africa’s Investment Market Place in Marrakesh, Morocco,’ with a bankable $34.82 billion investment interest.

The theme of the three-day event was, “Unlocking Africa’s Value Chains.” The event which was graced by His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, was a high-level, top-notch event and a very successful one. It was aimed at charting a new course for Africa’s new prosperity and connectivity.

The auspicious African flagship platform and global brand was attended by Heads of State and Governments; Ministers from Africa; Captains of Industries and Corporate Africa, prominent among whom were His Excellency, Mr. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, and Chairperson of the African Union; Her Excellency, Ms. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania; Her Excellency, Ms. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Republic of Barbados; His Excellency, Mr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency, Mr. Edouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda; Her Excellency, Ms. Nadia Fettah Alaoni, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of Morocco, and Honourable Ministers that included Professor Benedict Oramah, President of the African Export-Import Bank; Mr. Samaila Zubairu, President of the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC); Mr. Alain Ebobisse, Chief Executive Officer of the Africa 50; Ms. Boitumelo Mosako, Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Southern Africa; Mr. Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank; Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, President of the Islamic Development Bank; Mr. Admassu Tadesse, President Emeritus and Managing Director, Trade and Development Bank; His Excellency, Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos State of Nigeria. Others in attendance were business leaders and investors from around the globe.

Sub-themes discussed at the event included: Digital Disruptors and Transformative Technology, Renewable Energy and Natural Capital; Accelerating Green Growth, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure; Securing the Future, Capital Market; Mobilizing Investment for Transformational Growth, Africa’s Creative Industries: Strategies for Promoting Investment and Growth, and was a response to the Feed Africa Commitment of the AfDB and other Partners at Africa Investment Forum, which unveiled a platform known as the Alliance for Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones to mobilise equity funding for the continent’s agro-ecosystem.

At the event, King Mohammed VI reiterated that Africa Investment Forum was the place where bankable projects in Africa meet with investors, where investors meet with Heads of State and Governments in investment boardrooms converge and give comfort to investment as a result of which risks are managed and deals closed.

According to the Executive Secretary of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, who was a participant, “The event has been considered by stakeholders as the most strategic and important in terms of conveying power and capacity to galvanise investment actions on the continent, and harness its resources. From what happened in Morocco, the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) is indeed, renowned to be Africa’s premier investment market place.”

At this year’s event, His Excellency, Mr. Omar Kabbaj, Advisor to the King, representing His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, stated: “The AIF is unique, it is not just any forum; it is a transactional platform, where real business is conducted; where deals are made and where actions supersede rhetoric.”

It was also revealed that since the launch of the Africa Investment Forum in 2018, AIF has drawn more than 16, 500 participants; generated investment interests of nearly $143 billion.

A retrospective analysis was made at the 2022 AIF Market Days, wherein the Abidjan – Lagos highway corridor was able to secure $15.5 billion of investment interests: What makes the AIF unique and remarkable is that it is highly innovative and 100% transactional. Investors have discovered that there is no other global investment forum like it. “They develop and curate projects; reduce transaction costs and risks and accelerate the closure of deals. They also improve the overall business environment within which projects and investments are structured, developed and delivered, making investments to land in Africa smoothly.”

Nevertheless, this corridor will transform the entire West Africa region and speed up regional integration and trade. Also, last year, other investment interests were secured for 3.6 billion dollars for the East Africa Railway corridor, linking Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi respectively. That the AIF has so far closed on deals, investment gaps with 11 billion dollars, ranging from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) renewable energy, agribusiness, industrial manufacturing, creative industry, housing and transport.

According to global statistics, the Africa population will reach 2.5 billion by 2050; the continent will account for 25% of the global population. The New York Times recently affirmed in a headline what we know that the world is becoming more African. With a youth population of 477 million people between the ages of 15 and 25, Africa will be key for supplying the global labour force. Then, the size of the food and agriculture market in Africa will be worth one trillion dollars by 2030, in less than seven years from now.

It was revealed at the event that the future of the $7 trillion electronic vehicle market is tied to Nigeria and other African countries. Also, the size of the electric vehicles value-chain is estimated to increase from the current $7 trillion, to 157 trillion dollars by 2050.

According to the President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the future depends on Africa. That is because, as he asserted, Africa accounts for the largest source of the green metals for the development of electric vehicles, including platinum (70%), cobalt (52%), manganese (46%), bauxite (25%) and graphite (21%).

An assessment by Bloomberg NEF shows that the cost of manufacturing of lithium-iron precursor batteries in Africa is three times less than in the United States, China and Poland, all together. The global electric vehicle market has experienced significant growth, which is driven by increasing environmental concerns and advancement in technology. China, the United States and Europe are the three biggest electric vehicle markets globally. China has incentives such as subsidies, tax breaks and license plate restrictions which has encouraged consumers to embrace electric mobility.

President of AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, further said, “Five of the six pre-pandemic top performing African countries are projected to be back in the league of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies for 2023-2024. African economies provide some of the best investment opportunities in the world.”

The Africa Continental Free Trade Area, when fully operational, offers incredible opportunities for boosting intra-regional trade across borders and regions as well as the emergence of a more competitive national, regional and globally connected value chain as envisaged in the Special Sessions on Regional Corridors: Quest to Integrate Africa. This, it was agreed, can only be achieved through the development of infrastructure.

The AfDB and partners are implementing the 20 billion dollars Desert-to-Power Initiative to develop 10GW of solar power across 11 countries of the Sahel zone, when completed, will be the largest solar zone in the world. These countries are ; Nigeria, Burkina faso, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Eritrea and Senegal including the Sahel regional transmission lines to assume reliable and competitively priced electricity for development of the corridors. The AfDB also supports the development and expansion of regional power pools, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and Regional Economic Communities.

“That is the Africa we want: A Fully Interconnected Africa, using regional corridor infrastructure and innovative regional financing instruments, to unleash economic opportunities and assure competitiveness of national and regional value chains; a well-connected Africa will be a more competitive Africa,” as asserted by Dr. Adesina, the president of AfDB.

The Lagos – Abidjan highway connects Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, secured investment interest of 15.2 billion dollars at the AIF last year, from multiple financiers and investors.

According to His Majesty, Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, his country has been championing for an Inter-African coordinated and cooperation mechanism to be enhanced in various fields of endeavours with a view to achieving regional economic integration and hub; that is why the Morocco – Nigeria Gas pipeline project is part of that endeavour closest to his heart.

He said this reflects his resolve to lay the groundwork for genuine regional cooperation. The project, he further stated, will enhance all countries along the pipeline route to have access to reliable energy supplies and to be more resilient to exogenous energy price shocks.

The African Development Bank has pledged 500 million dollars to develop the strategic Lobito corridor, connecting Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to interlink countries and boost trade. The AfDB president has highlighted five priority areas to fully optimize the benefits of the developing regional corridors across Africa. These include: dedicating pooled financing facilities to corridor projects; building special industrial zones around the corridors to optimize existing infrastructure; adopting a systematic approach; and platform to syndicate around the development of strategic regional corridors.

The Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones to mobilise equity funding for the continent’s eco-system, a new initiative by the AfDB following the success of the Feed Africa Summit (FAS), which AfDB in partnership with the Senegalese government and Africa Union, held in January in Dakar, was attended by 34 Heads of State and Governments, according to the AfDB boss. He also informed that the summit had successfully mobilised 72 billion dollars towards implementing food and agriculture delivery compacts.

The Initiative, according to Dr Adesina, is aimed at mobilizing at least 2 billion dollars in financing and investment commitments from Alliance members and partners over the next five years. However, meeting the financing goal will deliver an additional 15 to 20 Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) projects in various countries across the continent.

The AfDB President emphasized that the Alliance will also raise funds through various investment windows for project preparation, project development and construction and financing for tenant companies. By doing so, the Alliance will bridge critical financing gaps, complement existing initiatives and mobilise resources towards the common goal of enhancing agricultural value addition in Africa. The platform will also provide project preparation, finance, equity and debt investments, technical assistance, as well as project tracking and oversight. It will further help with improving administrative policy and investment incentives never envisaged previously.

The Presidential Panel was attended by five Heads of State and Governments. There was robust engagement in challenges facing the continent. President Julius Maado Bio of Sierra Leone called for aggressive diversification of economies and attributed the desperation of youths to leave the continent to the low knowledge index of the economy. 

According to him, hundreds of African youths who die in the Atlantic Ocean while crossing to Europe are searching for jobs exported by African countries, owing to failure to add value to their communities. The President of Sierra Leone said value addition is a necessary option for growing resilient national economies across Africa and noted that the continent needs to move from merely talking to action.

For the Tanzanian President, Suluhu Hassan, there are a lot of obstacles to trade and investment in the continent. He urged his colleagues to work towards removing the obstacles to make the continent a destination of global investment and pride. On his part, the Rwandan Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, noted that time is ticking fast and the government could not afford to continue lamenting missed opportunities and chances, but rather move quickly and build the economy that their citizens deserve.

Consequently, the King of Morocco noted, “That is why initiatives such as the African Investment Forum (AIF), which is sponsored by the AfDB, are commendable, because they help direct private investment towards the most promising economic sectors, thus reinforcing the integration of Africa’s economies into global value chains.” 

All the high network corporate Africans, Heads of Governments, Ministers from across Africa, agreed that the economic potential of Africa is growing rapidly and of immense importance and promise of opportunities with incredible richness in vast natural and human capital resources in technology, agriculture, and entrainment. Africa is home to a youthful and dynamic workforce with a demography that cut across the youth population and abundant natural resources that will change the landscape in a few years ahead and that indeed, President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, is a global brand; chief optimist of Africa and a great and foremost marketing chief executive of Africa who has used the AfDB platform to change the narrative of Africa; deconstruct conversation favourable to Africa and shape opinions that, indeed, Africa is bankable and the risks are minimal, unlike what most books are saying as he re-echoed time again that “the future is indeed Africa and the time is now for investments and investors to see the continent as the new marketplace of ideas and unlocking the continent’s value chain.” He reiterated that, “Invest in Africa and reap high-risk adjusted returns!”

Senior Director of Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Chinelo Anohu also echoed that, “Africa must trust Africans with their ideas, innovations and strategy for the future.” The event was co-sponsored by the Africa Export-Import Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Africa 50, and Development Bank of Southern Africa, European Investment Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, with an estimated $34.82 billion investment interest.

CWAI’s executive secretary emphasized that the Heads of State and Government, as well as all participants at the event, overwhelmingly agreed that, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, was “indeed spreading shared prosperity across Africa with this innovative and bankable financial platform for building infrastructure corridors.”