By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and China have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties and advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), His Excellency Hu Chunhua, restated this when he led a high-level Chinese delegation on a visit to the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in Abuja, Nigeria on Friday.

Hu who conveyed warm greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vice President Han Zheng to Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, praised the strong diplomatic relations between the two nations and reiterated China’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria in implementing the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and furthering the achievements of the Beijing Summit.

“China is willing to work together with Nigeria to implement the important consensus reached by our leaders and promote new and greater achievements in the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership,” Hu stated.

He also acknowledged the efforts of Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in strengthening China-Nigeria relations through past engagements, including bilateral committee meetings and high-level visits.

Responding, Minister Tuggar warmly welcomed the Chinese delegation on behalf of the Federal Government and Vice President Shettima, who was unavoidably absent.

Tuggar congratulated Hu on his assumption of duties as Vice Chairman of the CPPCC, acknowledging the important role the body plays in China’s political system.

He also expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for China’s ongoing partnership, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, trade, and investment.

“We thank you for the continuing partnership in actualizing our ambition of infrastructure development, increased trade and investment, and building a 21st century nation in Nigeria. Relationships and partnerships such as the one that exists between Nigeria and China are ones that we should continue to hold dear to our hearts and ensure they continue not just to exist but to excel”, he stated.

The Minister also praised China for successfully hosting the recent FOCAC summit and emphasised the importance of the relationship, describing it as one to be cherished and nurtured.

“Relationships and partnerships such as the one that exists between Nigeria and China are ones that we should continue to hold dear to our hearts and ensure they continue not just to exist but to excel.

“We want to continue to assure you of our commitment to the one China principle, and at the same time we want to thank you and commend you for recognizing Nigeria’s leadership in West Africa within the fold of the economic community of West African states and on the African continent as a whole.

“Although it is evident that we are not as large demographically as China, we are the largest country on the continent, and like China, we pay close attention and importance to consultation, consulting people and deliberation in the exigencies of governance and leadership.

“So we recognize the work that you are doing and reassure that this is something that we also do in our country to ensure that a largely demographic nation such as Nigeria and a diverse one”, he added.

As Africa’s most populous nation and a key regional leader, Nigeria reaffirmed its dedication to dialogue and inclusive governance, values it shares with China. Both countries pledged to continue working closely to ensure mutual benefits from their strategic cooperation.

The visit is expected to further strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Nigeria and China, building on decades of strong bilateral relations.

By Franceca Hangeior

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development (MWID), has ramped up enforcement efforts at the Okunde Bluewater Scheme along Lekki Coastal Road, Lekki. The latest operation focused on removing illegal occupants and dismantling newly emerging shanties in the area.

The operation, carried out earlier on Friday, was led by the Commissioner for the Ministry, Ekundayo Alebiosu. He explained that the exercise was a continuation of previous clean-up efforts and a firm deterrent to those attempting to reoccupy government-owned land with unauthorized structures.

“We cleared this large expanse of land late last year, and it is no longer business as usual,” Alebiosu stated. “Any attempts to rebuild shanties or makeshift structures on this site will be met with swift enforcement. These structures pose not only an environmental hazard but also a significant security risk. More importantly, they are not in line with the Lagos State Mega City Master Plan.”

The Commissioner reiterated the State Government’s commitment to reclaiming and strategically utilizing the area for the development of a world-class Bluewater Scheme and a coastal road network to benefit residents.

Alebiosu further emphasized that sustained monitoring and periodic enforcement exercises would be used to preserve the integrity of the cleared site. He also reaffirmed that the progress made during the ministry’s reclamation exercise in September last year would not be allowed to be undone.

“MWID remains steadfast in its mission to secure and transform all government-owned waterfronts across Lagos State, in alignment with the vision of a clean, secure, and globally competitive Mega City,” he added.

* Unveils diaspora agency

By Francesca Hangeior

Edo State Diaspora Agency has expressed it’s is determination to ensure that the potential of Edo indigenes in the Diaspora is harnessed to boost the economic, social and cultural development of the state.

The Director General of the Agency, Loretta Ogboro-Okor who stated this during her maiden press conference in Benin, Edo State, also expressed the readiness of the agency to build synergy with other sister agencies to address the menace of trafficking in persons.

Ogboro-Okor while thanking Governor Monday Okpebholo for establishing the agency also noted that focus would be given to the welfare of Edo indigenes in Diaspora, strengthening relations, growing remittance and fostering growth and development.

She said, “From our strategic location in Nigeria, where one cannot navigate the North, South, East and West, without going through Edo State, we draw a parallel in today’s world too with our Diaspora population that have also become the anchor and rallying point of not just Nigerians but Africans across the world more so, blazing a trail of democracy and political consciousness as we can see from our political engagements in our gubernatorial and other elections.

“As Edo State People in the Diaspora, we contribute hugely in remittances to not just our State, but to our country Nigeria, as a whole. We will be economical with the truth if we do not highlight the fact that our sojourns have been fraught with challenges, ranging from but not limited to stigmatisation, racism, marginalization, and stereotypes.

“We are determined to ensure that the potentials of Edo indigenes in the Diaspora are harnessed to boost the economic, social, and cultural development of the state.

“However, through it all, we rise and hold onto the central theme of hope together, we explore our possibilities for the future, and we continue to maintain our shared solidarity, pushing our positive narratives of Edo State’s past, present, and future with no limits.

She further stressed that the agency will also partner with traditional leaders to ensure that Diaspora contributions are recognized, valued and integrated into the broader Edo State development agenda to maximize the transformation agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The Diaspora Agency was established by Governor Monday Okpebholo to serve as a bridge between people in the diaspora and the government at home, ensuring that the skills, resources, and experiences of our global citizens are harnessed for the development of our state.