Nigeria Times

By Xu Hailin, Han Shuo, Yan Huan, People’s Daily

China and the United States reached a basic framework consensus on resolving issues related to TikTok through cooperation, reducing investment barriers and promoting relevant economic and trade cooperation, said Li Chenggang, China international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice-minister of commerce.
On Sept. 14 and 15, the Chinese and U.S. delegations convened talks on economic and trade issues in Madrid, Spain. Li said on a press briefing hosted by the Chinese delegation after the talks that during the past two days, the two sides have actively implemented the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries in their phone call, fully leveraged the China-U.S. trade consultation mechanism, and engaged in candid, in-depth and constructive communication based on mutual respect and equal consultation regarding economic and trade issues of mutual concern, including TikTok.
Regarding the TikTok issue, China has always opposed politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of technology as well as economic and trade matters, and will never seek to reach any agreement at the expense of principles, interests of companies, or international fairness and justice, Li said.
China will firmly safeguard the national interests, the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, and carry out technology export approval in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, Li said, adding that the Chinese government also fully respects the will of enterprises and supports them in conducting business negotiations on an equal footing in accordance with market principles.
At the press briefing, Wang Jingtao, deputy director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said both sides reached a basic consensus regarding the full respect for the will of the business as well as the law of the market on resolving the TikTok issue through such methods as the entrusted operation of TikTok’s U.S. user data and content security business, and the license for use of the algorithm and other intellectual property rights.
The Chinese government will examine and approve relevant matters involving TikTok, such as the technology export and the license use of intellectual property, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, Wang added.
The Chinese government has always firmly safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese-funded enterprises and encouraged them to actively explore and develop abroad, he said.
China hopes that the U.S. side, based on the consensus reached, could provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in the United States, including TikTok, thus contributing to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, he said.
The reason why the Chinese side agreed to a consensus is because, based on its assessment, China has come to the judgment that such a consensus is in their mutual interest, Li said. Through discussions on the TikTok issue, the two sides further recognized that a stable China-U.S. economic and trade relationship is of great significance to both countries.
Both sides will continue to maintain close communication, discuss the details of the relevant outcome documents, and each will go through the domestic approval procedures, Li added.
Li said the Chinese side has noted that the U.S. side is still continuously expanding sanctions against Chinese entities after a series of economic and trade consultations between the two countries.
Li said that the United States has overstretched the concept of national security, and continuously expanded the list of sanctions against Chinese entities, with its long arm of jurisdiction reaching ever farther, which are a typical act of unilateral bullying that violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
China firmly opposes this, and raised serious concerns to the U.S. side during the talks, Li added.
The U.S. side cannot, on the one hand, ask China to take care of U.S. concerns, and on the other hand, continuously suppress Chinese enterprises, he said, adding that China urges the United States to correct its mistakes, lift these restrictions as soon as possible, and work with China to jointly safeguard the hard-won achievements of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations, so as to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.
Li also expressed his gratitude to Spain for its support and hospitality in hosting the China-U.S. economic and trade talks.
 

By Wang Haonan, Yang Yanfei, Shen Jingran, People’s Daily

Active transportation – whether through leisurely walks or eco-friendly cycling – has become an increasingly popular choice in Chinese cities. Urban “slow-traffic systems,” defined as non-motorized networks prioritizing walking and cycling, are expanding nationwide with locally tailored designs. These systems enhance urban livability while reducing environmental impact.
At dawn in Beijing, traffic on the Second Ring Road began to pick up. Nearby, 63-year-old Zhang Jianguo, who lives in Andingmen in Dongcheng district, started his morning exercise on a greenway along the road. “This path makes both exercise and daily travel so much easier,” he said. The 35.5-kilometer corridor, fully opened last year, connects parks, heritage sites, and commercial districts like an emerald ribbon encircling the city.
By 2024, walking and cycling accounted for 50.1% of trips in Beijing, with bicycles representing 20%. The city has constructed 60.6 kilometers of segregated bike lanes and widened 329.9 kilometers of existing routes.
“The optimal solution for short-distance travel and transit connections,” notes Wang Shuling of the Beijing Transport Institute. “They’re also vital for reducing transport emissions.” Wang emphasizes that well-planned systems – ensuring safety, continuity, and dedicated spaces for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles – boost overall urban mobility efficiency.
On Beijing’s first bicycle-only expressway (6.5 km linking Huilongguan to Zhongguancun), commuters like Mr. Zhang report: “Travel time dropped from one hour to under 30 minutes. Dedicated lanes make cycling faster than buses and less stressful than driving.”
At 6 am in Nanchang, capital of east China’s Jiangxi province, cycling enthusiast Wang Qing set off from beneath the Yingxiong Bridge and pedaled along a greenway by the Ganjiang River. “Previously I cycled in suburbs – now scenic routes like Fenghuangzhou Park and Qiushui Square are minutes from home,” he says. Honggutan District’s 28-kilometer integrated trail system – featuring rest stations and segregated paths – has transformed the riverside into an ecological retreat elevating residents’ quality of life.
Through interconnected trails, smart facilities, and open green spaces, Nanchang has unified parks, cultural landmarks, and wetlands into a cohesive “lifestyle belt” where citizens exercise amidst nature.
In Yuzhong district, Chongqing municipality in southwest China, a woman surnamed Chen took a short walk along a local slow-traffic system to reach Jiukengzi wet market. “I used to take a big detour to buy groceries. Now it’s just a few steps away!” she said with a smile.
In a mountainous city like Chongqing, walking has never been simple. Differences in elevation and winding roads mean public spaces are often scattered. In recent years, Chongqing has fully tapped into its local topography to develop high-quality slow-traffic systems. Using the city’s signature hillside trails, it has linked communities, parks, schools, and metro stations into a network. To date, more than 840 kilometers of hillside trails have been built in downtown area, forming a multi-functional system that is interconnected, convenient, efficient, and accessible to people of all ages.
In Chongqing’s Daijiaxiang, trails have even reshaped the community’s social and economic landscape. Along the winding stone steps, more than 40 cafes, cultural shops, and bookstores have sprung up, reviving the once quiet neighborhood. With annual output exceeding 100 million yuan ($14.05 million), this is not only a commercial revival but also a community rebirth.
“Trails are not just pathways. They connect people’s daily routines, commercial activities, and cultural memories. Our goal is to revitalize communities through trails and promote integration through slow travel,” said Tang Baijun, director of Yuzhong district’s key project construction affairs center.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has been praised for his recent outing in the United States, where he delivered a compelling message, selling the nation’s commercial capital to global investors.

It will be recalled that Sanwo-Olu led the Nigerian delegation and told participants at the U.S.-Nigeria Policy and Trade Forum, held alongside FNITCC-AFRICON 2025 at the Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, last Friday, that Lagos wants to work with Georgia to create sister-city frameworks to connect Atlanta and Lagos more deliberately.

Speaking during the event, Sanwo-Olu told the global audience that “Lagos is not just open for business — it is actively seeking global partnerships that can shape the future of urban and economic development across Africa.”

He invited investors to Lagos, emphasizing shared opportunities in trade, tech, and culture, and calling the Nigerian diaspora a vital bridge for innovation and partnerships.

Reflecting on Sanwo-Olu’s Atlanta outing, a coalition of Human Rights Fighters, CHRF, revealed that the governor made them proud as he showed great ability to adequately market the state and Nigeria to global investors, describing him as a “great marketer of the state and Nigeria as a whole”.

The Coalition made this known in a statement signed by its National President, Emeka Pascal in Lagos on Wednesday.

Pascal called on the Governor to further ensure there is a thorough follow-up in order to bring all the projections to reality. Adding that the governor has continued to show capacity in and outside the shores of Nigeria, an attribute he urged other leaders to emulate.

“First, let me state unequivocally that we as Lagosians have never doubted the abilities of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We trust his ability, and we know he has the capacity to deliver at any level.

“We commend Sanwo-Olu for showcasing Lagos to the world; his display in Atlanta was refreshing, and as a group, we welcome it. He’s a great salesman of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole, and we as a group think he deserves Commendations.

“Beyond the conference, we also call for follow-up on potential investors and for every deal hanging to be sealed. We also urge other State governors and leaders to seize every opportunity to put the nation in a good light. So, Leaders must begin to emulate people like the Lagos State Governor for our subnational level to make it bigger,” he advised.

Hundreds of protesters, led by the Concerned Lawyers and Citizens Network (CLCN), stormed the headquarters of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in Abuja on Thursday demanding an immediate investigation into what they described as a massive $4 billion fraud involving the MSM Group and missing funds meant for Nigeria’s refinery rehabilitation.

In a speech delivered by Sambari G. Benjamin, Esq., the CLCN accused the MSM Group, a conglomerate with ties to Engineer Mele Kolo Kyari, former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), of being a front for laundering stolen public funds.

The group pointed to the mysterious disappearance of $2.896 billion allocated for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, which remain non-functional despite the massive investment.

“We are here because something is deeply wrong,” Benjamin declared to a crowd of supporters and journalists.

“MSM Group is not just a business; it is a vessel of money laundering, a shell of secrecy, and a front for repurposing stolen public funds.”

The CLCN highlighted MSM Group’s recent $2.4 billion deal with the Kebbi State Government to build a cement plant, questioning the source of the funds and the company’s sudden emergence in industries ranging from oil and gas to cement and agriculture.

The protesters raised concerns about a conflict of interest, noting that a former bank account officer of Kyari is now a director at MSM Group, and the conglomerate has refused to disclose its investors or funding sources.

“How did MSM Group secure $2.4 billion with no prior footprint in cement?” Benjamin asked.

“Why do these funds correspond with the missing money meant for our refineries? This is not coincidence. This is corruption with a family name.”

The protesters demanded that the ICPC launch a full-scale investigation into MSM Group’s financial operations, uncover its links to Kyari’s tenure at NNPCL, expose its investors and directors, and recover every kobo diverted from the refinery funds.

They also called for accountability for all individuals involved, regardless of their influence.

“We speak for the mechanic in Kaduna, the mother in Warri, and the youth in Port Harcourt who have been robbed of opportunity, dignity, and truth,” Benjamin said.

“This is about justice and restoring faith in our institutions.”

The CLCN vowed to continue their agitation until the truth is revealed and justice is served, warning that Nigerians will not be silenced or intimidated.

“Let this day be remembered as the moment Nigerians stood up and said: Enough is enough with the theft of our commonwealth,” Benjamin concluded.

By Iliasu Idris

The recent invasion of our beloved town by notorious bandits that reverberates through the streets of Birnin Kebbi has become an interesting focus of national security. Nigeria is witnessing an unfortunate realization where political machinations have not merely collided with public safety but have precipitated a catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude. The rumors of violence and insecurity in Kebbi state, in particular, open cans of questions that go beyond just governance; questions that demand the swift re-examination of the very nature of political power and the deadly relationship it has with terrorism. This surge in insecurity has been largely attributed to the rise of bandits that terrorize rural communities and farmers alike. But this does not occur in a vacuum.

On the aforementioned, it is discovered that a thorough investigation into the activities of the likes of Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation, and Shehu Koko, a former lawmaker from our beloved state reveals a disquieting reality: These individuals have cases to answer, and the stakes could not be higher. It is important to note that the violence plaguing Kebbi state isn’t the consequence of poor governance or the weakness of its security architecture— what Nigerians are witnessing is a direct result of a political conspiracy; politicians playing the deadly game of turning banditry into a political tool for vested interests.

To understand the level of this danger better, it would be appropriate to look into the personalities of these two notorious political figures. It’s still on record that Nigerians experienced a dark season marked by a series of legal and political controversies under the tenure of Abubakar Malami as Nigeria’s Attorney General. His role in matters of national security and his relationship with powerful political and economic forces was a dictatorial burden of suppression on National growth and transparency. Therefore, the news of bringing things into Kebbi didn’t come as a surprise, but only warrants the closest scrutiny, to unravel the deep desperation of Malami’s political ambition, and expose him to the good people of Nigeria who think that Malami has changed. But unfortunately, a leopard can never change its spots.

Moreover, the action of Muhammed Shehu Koko involvement is equally troubling to know. Koko is a former House of Representatives member for Koko/Maiyama Federal Constituency, and he was suspended by the APC in May 2025 alongside nine others for alleged anti-party activities, disloyalty, and harassment of party executives. Before he wormed his way into politics, he was known for hiring bandits to terrorise rivals. Now, he’s found a willing partner in Malami, who’s using his legal clout to shield Koko from his corruption trial. His transition from a legislator to a suspected bandit sponsor is what we can call, the corrosive influence of power and ambition within Nigeria’s politics.

According to verified sources, Malami allegedly provided Koko with $1 million to bankroll the bandits and terrorists, with explicit instructions to “resume work” in Kebbi by launching attacks to create panic and discredit Idris’s governance. According to a former ally of Koko, who was part of the plot but later opted out, he revealed that Koko pocketed most of the funds out of greed, releasing only $100,000 to the bandits with a promise of more “once they resumed work in Kebbi.” This betrayal made the ally leaked the details to authorities, thereby exposing Koko’s evil plan. In frantic efforts to shield Koko from scrutiny, and taking his failed plan off the center stage, Malami launched a desperate campaign to divert attention from his crimes. On the 10th of September, Malami filed a petition to the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, DSS, and other agencies, falsely accusing Governor Idris of importing “foreign mercenaries” and arming terrorists.

Malami’s shabby master plan is to bring in criminal elements to destabilize Kebbi, thereby creating a climate of fear and discontent that could potentially bolster his political ambitions, by creating the ground to project himself as a savior. It is disturbing to comprehend this chilling allegation in reality, because, importing bandits into Kebbi is not an accident of political ambition gone awry, it is an intentional act of calculated destruction that is meant to serve personal interests at the cost of human lives. Evidently, Malami’s alleged orchestration in this deadly game of politics puts the safety of the entire nation in jeopardy.

The embittered duo( Malami and Koko), who are defunct members of the APC and now prominent figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have imported notorious bandits and thugs to wreak havoc in the state, revealing a sordid pact rooted in political desperation and criminal collusion. It can be recalled that this duo’s defection was fueled by their rejection by Kebbi’s political mainstream, prompting them to resort to thuggery and violence to intimidate opponents and assert dominance, as it’s no secret that Koko has a long history of thuggery.

However, upon keen observation of their theatrics, it is revealed that their desire for control often overrides the sanctity of human life. They believed that engineering the destabilization of Kebbi could very well weaken the influence of political opponents, thereby creating a crisis that would allow them ( Malami and Koko) to present themselves as the solution; a plan which is now evidently playing out in the open, and this is not a new tactic in Nigerian politics. What makes this particular situation in Kebbi a very disturbing one is the high profile of the individuals allegedly involved. A successful execution of this plot would see to another rise of another uncontrolled group of bandits that might seek to further terrorize the peace of the state with the supposed backing and sponsorship of powerful political individuals.

The country’s failure to address such systemic issues has led to a situation where the powerful are often immune from justice, while the most vulnerable bear the brunt of their machinations. The very fact that such claims which is backed by eyewitness testimony and public reports exist, indicates the porosity of accountability at the highest levels. How can a nation that touts itself as a democracy, a place where the rule of law is paramount, allow such individuals to operate with impunity?

Presently, one cannot help but feel a deep sense of disillusionment with the happenings in Kebbi. The lives of ordinary Nigerians have become pawns in a brutal game played by the elite. We are not only witnessing a case of negligence that ought to have been taken seriously, but a deliberate execution of violence for personal gain, and the people of Nigeria deserve answers right now. As rightly noted, the dynamics of violence are not only the product of criminal opportunism that weren’t prevented very early, but are being actively orchestrated by powerful figures within Nigeria’s political elite.

Mr President and every patriotic individual must not see Kebbi’s suffering as a local issue; it must be seen as an emblem of a larger crisis that threatens the very foundation of the Nigerian state. Notably, Malami and Koko are in a political lab, preparing violence that might spin out of control, which might metamorphose into another national catastrophe. It is irrefutable that this is how Boko-haram was birthed; initially emerged as a seemingly harmless entity but has since evolved into a formidable and ferocious force that has become hard to totally eradicate. What Malami failed to understand is that, just like other nations plagued by terrorism, it all start with a small group of paid machineries that were used by selfish individuals like himself to cause mayhem, but overtime, with the confidence that they are backed by powerful individuals, they grew in numbers, expanded their territory and ultimately becoming uncontrollable and morphing into international terrorist organizations.

Without mincing words, Malami and Koko have cases to answer, not only for the plot of violence they are orchestrating in Kebbi, but for the larger question of political responsibility and ethical governance in Nigeria. The preservation of the countless lives that may be lost to this senseless plot of Malami and Koko must not be ignored. The Inspector General of Police, DSS, and other agencies must call them in for questioning.

Nigeria’s future is in grave jeopardy if Malami and Koko are not thoroughly investigated.

Idris wrote this piece from Kebbi State..

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF) on Friday accused the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) of seeking to exploit citizens and plunge the nation back into subsidy fraud.

According to the civil society groups, DAPPMAN’s demand of ₦75 per litre for coastal freight and ops cost, translating to ₦1.505 trillion, is self-serving and nothing but greed. While calling on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to beam its searchlight on DAPPMAN, as the activities are undermining local refining, sabotaging Dangote Refinery from the start and threatening the Federal Government’s Reform Agenda.

The CSOs made this known in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman and Mrs. Grace Okonkwo, President and National Secretary of COCSON, respectively; As well as Rev. Dr. Matthew Ayodele and Imam Musa Abdullahi, National Chairman and Secretary of NIF, respectively, in Abuja.

The concerns raised by the group were accompanied by a protest march in the nation’s capital on Friday, September 26, 2025.

While backing the Dangote Refinery’s genuine efforts in transforming the Petroleum Industry, the groups vowed to file a suit against DAPPMAN in the Federal High Court for economic sabotage, conspiracy, and deliberate attempt to reintroduce subsidy through the backdoor.

The statement reads: “We condemn the shameful attempt by the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) to blackmail Nigerians into paying a backdoor subsidy of ₦1.505 trillion annually.

“This demand is not just outrageous; it is treachery against the Nigerian people. It is economic sabotage disguised as business.

“At such a critical time, for DAPPMAN to demand that Nigerians underwrite their inefficiencies with ₦1.5 trillion yearly is nothing but wickedness. It would rob our hospitals of funding, deny schools resources, cripple infrastructure development, and keep our nation shackled to poverty. This is not subsidy — it is extortion.”

On why DAPPMAN must be checked by the government, the groups maintained that the body had become a national threat.

“They Undermine Local Refining: Dangote Refinery has exported over 3.2 million metric tonnes of refined products in three months, proving capacity. Meanwhile, DAPPMAN imported 3.6 million metric tonnes, promoting dumping and sabotaging Nigeria’s economy.

“They Sabotaged Dangote from the Start: When Dangote Refinery was completed, the refinery had over 500 million litres of products in stock, and Dangote himself had to plead publicly with NNPC, marketers, and transporters to patronize him. Instead, they deliberately imported products from abroad to frustrate his operations.

“Faced with this sabotage, Dangote was forced to buy over 4,000 trucks to enter the oil transport sector. Who pushed him into this? Not Nigerians, but the very marketers and transporters now crying foul.

“Today, these same actors accuse him of chasing them out of the market to create a monopoly. Where is the monopoly?

“They abandoned him, tried to strangle his refinery, and left him no option but to strategize for survival. If they are not careful, he may enter retailing, and then he will fully integrate production, transport, and retail. That is not a monopoly; that is resilience and strategy in the face of cartel sabotage.

“They Threaten Tinubu’s Reform Agenda: Entertaining such demands would roll back the government’s courageous removal of fuel subsidy and tarnish Nigeria’s international credibility.

“Fellow Nigerians, this is not just a fight for Dangote Refinery. This is a fight for Nigeria’s future. This is a battle between nation-builders and nation-wreckers, between patriots and profiteers, between hope and despair.

“DAPPMAN’s demand for ₦1.505 trillion subsidy is a declaration of war on the Nigerian people. Our response is clear: we will resist, we will mobilise, we will litigate, and we will not rest until this cartel is defeated.

“We urge the Federal Government to stand firm, Nigerians to stand united, and Dangote Refinery to stand strong. Together, we will ensure that no group, no cartel, and no vested interest will derail Nigeria’s refining revolution.”

I extend my warm felicitations to Senator Saliu Mustapha @RealMallamSaliu, the Turaki of Ilorin Emirate and the Aare Atunluse of Oro-Ago Kingdom, on his birthday.
 
In his service to our nation, Senator Mustapha has exemplified the virtues of humility, loyalty, and dedication. As Senator representing Kwara Central and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Production Services, and Rural Development, he has brought to bear his passion for food security and agricultural transformation, sponsoring and advancing impactful legislation that speaks to the future of our great country.
 
In just two years in the Senate, he has distinguished himself as one of the bright lights of the legislature, a loyal party man, a team player, and a role model for the younger generation of leaders who seek inspiration in selfless service and commitment to the common good.
 
As he marks his birthday today, I join his family, friends, associates, and the people of Kwara Central in celebrating him. I wish him renewed strength, wisdom, and good health for years of fruitful service to the nation.
 
Happy birthday, Turaki.
 
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President & Commander-in-Chief,
Federal Republic of Nigeria
September 25, 2025