“It’s quite interesting that a large population of Nigeria youth is inching towards Chinese Language. A lot of Nigerian Universities are desirous to offer Chinese Language. Chinese had become the language of trade in the world.

“Nigeria-China will continue to relate not just bilaterally but multilaterally.

“We expect that we will continue to get the support of China but we will always reciprocate that multilaterally.

“In line with President Tinubu’s plan to industrialise Nigeria, we expect Chinese cooperation in establishing assembly plants of electric vehicles; digital communication, renewable energy, all aspects of digital technology, agriculture because of food insecurity as the government is interested in seeing that food gets to the poorest of the poor. Government is not just talking about food but has established a separate Ministry of Livestock,” the minister stated.

He said: “We have a comprehensive strategic partnership with Nigeria. China would want Nigeria to play a big role in the international scene. We want Nigeria to become a member of G-20. These will all provide opportunity for China and Nigeria to further work together closely.

“For China, we have been very consistent. We give grant to any African countries; we don’t give any conditions.”

He further acknowledged that it was important that the two countries met to review how far they have performed in their bilateral cooperation.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The ex-Director General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Professor Tom Adaba is dead.

The veteran journalists died on Saturday peacefully in Abuja.

The late Adaba was born in July 2nd, 1941

According to Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa JP, Secretary Egbira Elders Forum Abuja on Saturday stated as follows, “I feel sad to inform you that our elder and Leader, Prof Tom A Adaba just answered the call of nature by giving up his ghost to the Lord this morning.

“Further details about his burial arrangements would be communicated later.

“We thank God for his life. May God have mercy on his shortcomings and grant his soul eternal peaceful rest in His Heavenly Kingdom, Amen.

He was the first Nigerian (between 1988 and 1992) to be honoured as president of the African Council for Communication Education.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Osun State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has pulled out from the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, citing concerns over inadequate security arrangements for the polls.

Adebayo Bello, the State Chairman of LP, made the announcement on Friday in Osogbo, explaining that the party could not participate in the election due to the lack of proper security measures put in place by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC). He further called for the postponement of the election for one to two months, urging the electoral body to address the security issues and resolve any legal complications before proceeding with the poll.

Bello stated, “We believe that postponing the election will give OSSIEC enough time to ensure proper preparations and guarantee a secure environment for the voters and candidates.”

In support of this position, one of the party’s chairmanship candidates, Oyebode Babalola, expressed deep concerns over the potential disruption of the election. Babalola emphasized that although the party was fully prepared for the election, it could not risk participating under the current security circumstances.

“We have seen troubling signs that the election might be disrupted, and we are not willing to put the lives of our supporters and citizens in danger,” Babalola explained. He echoed the call for the election to be postponed, stressing the need for sufficient security to safeguard the election process.

As the party withdraws from the election, it remains to be seen how the situation will affect the overall election planning and whether the authorities will heed the call for a postponement.