By Joseph Edegbo

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
called for the signing of the
two Memoranda of Understanding between Nigeria and China in an effort to boost tourism between the two countries.

The Minister, who made the call in Abuja on Thursday when he received
the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Chui Jian Chun, on a courtesy
visit to his office, said the two MoU are on the Facilitation of Group
Travels by Chinese Tourists to Nigeria as well as Travel Facilitation
through the Approved Destination Status (ADS).

He said Nigeria, like China, has huge tourism attractions to give
effect to the MoU, adding that if just 1% of the 130 million Chinese
tourists who travel annually comes to Nigeria, that will be 1.3 million tourists, which will be a big boost to tourism in Nigeria.

“There are two MoU between Nigeria and China on the Facilitation of
Group Travels by Chinese Tourists to Nigeria and Travel Facilitation
through the Approved Destination Status (ADS). Though the two MoU date back to 2019, they have not been signed. It is important that our two
countries work together to negotiate and sign these MoU to promote
tourism between them,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

He recalled that in 2002, Nigeria and China signed a Bilateral
Agreement to encourage cooperation in the field of tourism between
both countries, adding that the Agreement focused mainly on exchange programmes, human capacity building, joint marketing and investment.

The Minister said though some Nigerian officials received short
training on tourism in China and online, the dearth of skilled
manpower in the tourism sector in Nigeria has made it imperative to
seek more advance capacity building and scholarship programme in
Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), tourism
development, product development among others from the Chinese
government.

He also harped on the need to encourage exchanges between the two countries in the area of film production, which will avail Nigerian
filmmakers the opportunity to improve on their technical competence in film-making.

Alhaji Mohammed commended China for extending its cooperation with
Nigeria beyond culture and tourism to infrastructure development in
the country.

He listed the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail lines, which are already in operation, the ongoing work on the Kaduna-Kano railway, Abuja Light Rail, the upgrade of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri narrow gauge, Abuja-Keffi-Makurdi road and the building of new airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano, among others, as the ”visible monuments that testify to the warm relations and great cooperation between the two countries”.

The Minister also lauded the cooperation between the StarTimes of China and the Nigerian Television Authority, which culminated in the
birth of the Integrated Television Services (ITS), which is the Federal government-owned signal distributor that is playing a major role in the Digital Switch Over in Nigeria.

He urged the Chinese Ambassador to facilitate the granting of the
500-million-dollar loan to Nigeria by the China Export-Import Bank for
the execution of three major projects in the public broadcast sector.

“Also worthy of mention, Your Excellency, is the 500-million-dollar
loan which we are seeking from the China Export-Import Bank for three
major projects – the digitization of the NTA, the construction of a
headquarters complex and transmission network for Integrated
Television Services (ITS), a Federal Government-owned signal
distributor that is a major component of the country’s Digital Switch
Over (DSO), and the construction of an ultra-modern Media City in
Ikorodu.

”I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Your Excellency to
continue to use your good offices to
fast-track the evaluation and approval process of the loan by the
China Export Import Bank, and to thank you for your efforts so far in
this regard,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

In his remarks, Ambassador Chui said China is re-strategizing its
bilateral relations with Nigeria to focus on Growth, Development and
Progress.

He said the new strategy, tagged “5 GIST” will be a holistic, complete
and sustained approach to focus on political support, economic
cooperation, security and military collaboration, international
affairs coordination, infrastructure, ICT, industry, investment,
import and export, among others.

The Ambassador said the new focus will be anchored on people-to-people
communication and relationship as well as cultural exchanges.

By Iliya Kure

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the appointment of Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak as the Chief Judge of Gombe State, northeast Nigeria.

The approval was granted at the 97th Meeting of the National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of Justice I. T. Muhammad, held on 15 and 16 March 2022.

A statement published on website of the Council by Director of Information, Soji Oye, listed Mr Awak’s name among 15 successful candidates approved as Heads of Courts and other Judicial Officers in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after approval by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and their respective State Governors and confirmation by the National Assembly and the respective State House of Assemblies as the case may be.”

Justice Awak has been acting as the Chief Judge of Gombe State since early January, when the embattled Acting Chief Judge of the State, Mr Pindiga, retired from service.

Justice Joseph Ahmed Awak hails from Awak village of Kaltungo Local Government of the state, and began his civil service career in judiciary 1984, in the then Bauchi state.

By Iliya Kure

A fire outbreak has burnt down about 450 temporary shelters and destroyed properties worth millions of naira at a Government Girls Secondary School IDP camp in Mafa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno state, northeast of the country.

No life was lost or injury sustained, but large quantity of foodstuff and other valuables were completely destroyed by the inferno.

A statement by Information Unit of the LGA quoted Chairman of the camp Ahmodu Abatcha, while briefing Council Chairman, Abatcha Kawu, that the fire started around 3:40pm and the community immediately mobilised security agents who effectively put out the fire.

The Chairman sympathised with the victims and urge them to consider the incident as a trial from God.

He assured of the Council’s readiness to assist victims and promised to report the incident to higher authorities for immediate intervention.

Member Representing the Area at the Borno State House of Assembly, Baba Ali Modu, expressed shock and deep sadness over the incident.

He expressed dismay over incessant fire outbreak in IDP camps, urging Camp officials to set up a committee that would sensitize people on proper ways of handling fire.

By Iliya Kure

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has appointed Garba Muhammad, Northern Regional Editor of News Express as National Trustee of the Union.

The appointment was announced by National President of the Union, Chris Isiguzo, at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Union on in Birnin Kebbi, northwest Nigeria.

Congratulating Muhammad and other appointees, Isiguzo said among responsibilities of the National Trustee was to oversee the properties and financial accounts of State Councils under his Zone (Northwest).

Muhammad was former Chairman of Kaduna Council in Zone A (North West) and one the immediate past National Ex-officio of the union.

In a statement to his constituency, Muhammad expressed appreciation for the “show of solidarity and prayers on my new appointment as National Trustee of the NUJ under the dynamic leadership of Chief Chris Isiguzo.

“I will not let you dawn but continue to be a proud ambassador of the state and indeed zone ‘A’.”

Also, in a statement, NUJ Vice President of Zone A, Muhammad Tukur Umar, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the Union’s National Secretariat for appointing two members from the Zone, Garba Muhammad of Kaduna Council and Ibrahim Shu’aibu of Kano Council as Trustee and Senior Special Assistant, respectively.

“We are indeed honoured by these appointments which we are optimistic that it will contribute in taking the Union to a Greater Heights.

“On behalf of the entire members in the Zone A, we say a very big thank you to Mr. President for finding them worthy to serve in the capacities.”

By Iliya Kure

Acting Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe has enjoined political stakeholders in Nigeria to create a level playing ground for women to participate in politics, saying many women have the ability to succeed in the arena like their male counterparts.

“For women to be able to participate along men in political and economic systems which are obviously bias, we must canvass for empowerment so that we can strengthen ourselves and push through the thick walls that men have put for us,” Balarabe said in Kaduna, at the 2022 International Women’s Day celebration organised by National Council of Women Society (NCWS).

Balarabe who encouraged women to take active role in politics, lamented that many of them were slow in taking steps on key issues, especially in the present dispensation, forgetting that in the past women were not allowed to vote or to be voted for.

“We should be our sisters’ keepers, have it in mind at all times that it should be one for all and all for one. Women need to realize that the men around us are our partners so we need to get them to support women whenever the need arises especially when contesting for political offices,” she stressed.

Speaking on the 2022 theme, “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow”, Balarabe called on people to reflect on challenges, struggles of women and seek a better future for younger generation.

She commended the empowerment program by NCWS, saying, it is part of global action for women advocated for by the international community.

Balarabe urged the organisers to do more towards ensuring all girls attend school to be empowered and achieve their desired goals.

“There are a lot of women that have made so much sacrifices for us to be here today, hence, the need for sober reflections and how we can liberate the future generations of women.”

Speaking, Kaduna State President of NCWS, Zainab Hassan, said NCWS would promote women participation in politics and governance, as well as empower them towards self-reliance.

She said the organisation chose to mark the 2022 celebration by empowering women that attended their skills acquisition workshop.

According to her, plans are underway to awaken and encourage women to realize their responsibilities to the community and the nation in general.

By Joseph Edegbo

Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar Wednesday, obtained nomination form to contest the APC National Chairman position in the forthcoming Party’s National Convention.

Receiving the form from Alhaji Sabi’u Bello who is an Assistant Director in the office of National Organising Secretary of the Party, a former Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Chairman National Broadcasting Commission, Iƙra Aliyu Bilbis said the action was to further demonstrate the former Governor’s determination to realise his dream of salvaging the Party.

Addressing Journalists on behalf of the team at the Party’s National Headquarters after obtaining the form, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Ƙaura who represented Zamfara North Senatorial District in the 8th Assembly disclosed that it has been always the desire of Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar to put in his best in the nation building.

According to him, the aspiration of the former Governor was further fuelled by the fact that he has been a grassroots partyman who rose through the ranks to became Secretary and Chairman of a National Party in his State as well as National Financial Secretary respectively.

He said if competence, capacity and capability to deliver at any given situation are ingredients for successful leadership , APC at national level needs Honourable Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar as its National Chairman at this point in time.

Senator Tijjani Yahaya Ƙaura explained that a two time State Executive Governor as well as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum who was a founding member of APC has all it takes to get the party out of its present woes.

Commenting on the event, Zamfara State APC Chairman of the former Governor’s faction, Lawal M. Liman Gabɗon Ƙaura described it as another milestone in APC history for it reflects the wishes of the majority of its members nationwide.

Lawal M. Liman re-affirmed that delegates to the Party’s National Convention will not regret their action if they voted the former Governor as National Chairman , adding that he has a midas touch on leadership issue as in no small time he will re-invigorate APC .

He therefore called on members of the Party across Nigeria to give Honorable Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar a chance to lead them by voting him enmass in the forthcoming Party’s National Convention slated for March 26, 2022.