By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Thursday, played host to the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, to discuss ways to deepen diplomatic ties and strengthen cooperation between the two nations.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the meeting focused on advancing peace, trade, investment, and mutual prosperity.

Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the long-standing relationship between Nigeria and China, which according to him, has been built on mutual respect, trust, and shared goals.

He commended China’s advancements in economic development, technological innovation, and global leadership,.and reiterated Nigeria’s is commitment to supporting the One-China Principle and strengthening collaboration on the international stage.

“Our cooperation has yielded fruitful results in various fields, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.

“Nigeria, too, is undergoing significant transformations, driven by our vision to become a more prosperous, peaceful, and democratic nation.

“Consequently, during our discussions, I look forward to exploring avenues to deepen our bilateral engagement, particularly in areas such as trade facilitation, capacity building, and people-to-people exchanges,” Tuggar stated.

He recalled the recent state visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to China in September 2024, during which four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed.

“Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to the terms of the MoUs, which are currently at various stages of implementation,” he affirmed.

Ambassador Tuggar further expressed confidence that ongoing discussions with China would yield meaningful outcomes, elevating relations between the two nations to new heights.

In his remarks, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang emphasized the importance of Nigeria-China relations, describing Nigeria as “a major African country with global influence” and “an important member of the global South.”

Yi who stated that his visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations and foster cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, and infrastructure development, lauded Nigeria’s contributions to Africa’s peace and development and acknowledged the country’s role in promoting stability across the region.

“China has always viewed and developed relations with Nigeria from a strategic height and a long-term perspective,” Yi said.

He also reiterated China’s commitment to solidarity with Nigeria, particularly in areas of development and economic revitalization.

The visit aligns with China’s broader objectives under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and follows up on the commitments made during the FOCAC Beijing Summit.

Yi noted the success of the recent Intergovernmental Committee meeting in Beijing and acknowledged President Tinubu’s contributions to the summit.

“During his stay, Wang Yi is scheduled to hold high-level talks with government officials, discussing pressing global issues, regional security, and economic development,” the report added.

Wang Yi was received upon arrival by Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside other top Nigerian officials and the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Yu Dunhai.

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the low implementation rate of the capital component of the 2024 budget.

Thr Chairman Public Accounts Committee (PAC),  Rep. Bamidele Salam, during an interactive session with the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Shakirat Madein, on Wednesday,  revealed that only 25 percent of the capital budget has been implemented.

The chairman who stated that the underperformance hinders economic growth and development, urged the AGF to expedite the submission of the 2022 Consolidated Financial Statement to the Auditor General in line with constitutional provisions.

Rep. Salam lamented Nigeria’s lag in timely audit report submissions compared to Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda, attributing this to delays in financial statement submissions by the Accountant General’s office.

Addressing revenue leakages, the committee called for stricter measures, including process automation and regular audits of Government-Owned Enterprises. It also instructed the Accountant General, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior to resolve issues delaying the automation of revenue collections from foreign missions to enhance transparency.

Rep. Salam disclosed that the 2021 Auditor General’s Report, recently submitted to the National Assembly, would be prioritized once the 2024 Appropriation Bill is passed.

In her remarks, Dr. Madein attributed delays in the consolidated financial statement to inadequate data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but assured that efforts to resolve this are near completion. She pledged to conclude the process within two months.

The Accountant General also highlighted ongoing initiatives to enhance public expenditure management, including a review of the Financial Regulations 2009, which is awaiting Federal Executive Council approval.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Senator Nenadi Usman, the Chairperson of the Labour Party Caretaker Committee, has issued a stern warning to Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that he will be held responsible for any harm that may come to Peter Obi or his associates.

Usman emphasized that Morka’s recent threat against Obi, the party’s former presidential candidate, would not be tolerated.

This comes after reports of Obi denying claims of his arrest at his home in Onitsha, Anambra State. Usman maintained that despite Obi’s denial, Morka’s comments on January 5, 2025, directly threatened Obi’s life and were an affront to the democratic process.

In a statement of condemnation, Usman said, “It is with great concern and a deep sense of responsibility that I condemn the inflammatory remarks made by Mr. Felix Morka during his appearance on national television. His statements not only pose a direct threat to Peter Obi’s life, reputation, and business interests, but they also undermine the fundamental principles of democracy, decency, and responsible political engagement.”

Usman continued, highlighting Obi’s dedication to public service, “Mr. Peter Obi is a man of impeccable character who has devoted his life to serving Nigeria and championing good governance. His commitment to merit, competence, and rule of law is unwavering. To attack him with baseless allegations and threats is a clear indication that the APC cannot engage constructively on the issues that truly matter to Nigerians

She further remarked that such rhetoric has no place in the country’s democracy, as it undermines national unity, discourages productive political discourse, and endangers lives. Usman reminded Morka and the APC leadership that “words have consequences,” and that the Labour Party would hold them accountable for any harm that befalls Obi or his associates.

Senator Usman also called on security agencies to investigate the alleged threat and hold Morka accountable for his remarks. “We urge the security agencies to take swift action to investigate this matter and ensure that individuals who use public platforms to incite violence or issue veiled threats are held responsible. Political leaders must rise above such petty behavior and focus on addressing the pressing challenges facing our nation, including insecurity, unemployment, and economic instability.”

Usman reaffirmed the Labour Party’s unwavering support for Obi, stating, “The Labour Party will not be intimidated by threats. Peter Obi represents hope for the Nigerian people, and we stand firmly by him in his pursuit of a better Nigeria.”

Additionally, Usman demanded a public apology from the APC and a retraction of Morka’s statements. She stressed that any failure to do so would imply tacit approval of such reckless behavior. “The APC must immediately issue a public apology to Mr. Peter Obi and retract the offensive statements made by its National Publicity Secretary. Anything less would be a tacit endorsement of such reckless and dangerous behavior.”

Concluding her statement, Usman reminded political leaders of their responsibility to promote peace, unity, and responsible political dialogue, emphasizing that true leadership is measured by how individuals treat one another, especially in times of disagreement.