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To promote equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and mutual accommodation between civilizations: Egyptian archaeologist
By Huang Peizhao, People’s Daily
“I still vividly remember President Xi Jinping’s visit to the ancient Egyptian capital of Luxor though it’s been more than six years,” said Mamdouh Mohamed Gad Eldamaty, archaeologist and former antiquities minister of Egypt, in a recent interview with People’s Daily.
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Egypt from Jan. 20 to 22, 2016.Eldamaty accompanied him twice during the Chinese President’s stay in the African country.
On Jan. 21, President Xi attended a celebration of the 60th anniversary of China-Egypt diplomatic relations and the opening ceremony of the China-Egypt Cultural Year 2016, together with President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt at the ancient Square of Luxor Temple.
“I was the guide for the two heads of state at the Luxor Temple,”Eldamaty recalled, saying at the temple, the two leaders talked about the characteristics of the ancient Chinese and Egyptian civilizations and reviewed the long history of mutual learning between them.
President Xi noted that both China and Egypt are ancient civilizations, so it’s necessary for them to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, deepen non-governmental friendship, and consolidate public support for bilateral cooperation, so as to promote the common development and prosperity of both sides.
“What President Xi said mirrored his insight into history and his strategic vision,”Eldamaty told People’s Daily.
On the next day, President Xi visited the ruins of the ancient Egyptian civilization in Luxor. Again, he was accompanied by Eldamaty.
“While watching the heritages, President Xi communicated with me. He showed a deep interest in the ancient Egyptian civilization,”Eldamaty recalled.
“He shook my hands to express his thanks when the visit was over. His erudition, horizon, passion for culture, and humility left a deep impression on me,”Eldamaty said.
During President Xi’s visit to Egypt, he delivered an important speech titled Work Together for a Bright Future of China-Arab Relations at the Arab League Headquarters in Cairo.
Eldamaty said the speech left a lasting impression on him. “President Xi’s speech offered guidance for the cultural exchanges and mutual learning between Egypt and China, and between the Arab world and China,” he noted.
“I agree with President Xi’s proposal to promote equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and mutual accommodation between civilizations. We need to replace estrangement with interaction and sharing, replace conflict with harmonious co-existence, and replace a sense of superiority with respect for diversity,”Eldamaty told People’s Daily.
Citing a proverb in Arabic that “Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China,”Eldamaty noted that the ancient Silk Road witnessed the common prosperity of the Arab and Chinese civilizations, which was the result of close exchanges and mutual learning.
The land and maritime Silk Roads, as a bridge linking the East and the West, promoted the progress of human civilization, he added.
“Today, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by President Xi has revitalized the ancient Silk Road, and is bringing closer China and Arab countries in economy, trade, culture, and other sectors,”Eldamaty remarked, saying the initiative is building a new paradigm of international cooperation featuring win-win results, guided by the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.
During the interview, Eldamatyhighlighted a series of China-Egypt cooperation outcomes. According to him, a joint archaeological team consisting of Chinese and Egyptian scientists has unearthed a number of buildings and valuable relics buried in ruins at the Temple of Montu, Luxor; two Luban Workshops were launched at Egypt’s Ain Shams University and Technical School for Advanced Maintenance Technology, Cairo, which marked further steps of vocational education cooperation between the two countries.
Besides, steady progress is being made in the construction of the central business district in Egypt’s new administrative capital, and the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone had attracted over 120 enterprises as of the end of 2021. The cooperation zone was considered an industrial park with the best environment, the highest density of investment, and maximum production output per unit in Egypt.
“The alignment between the BRI and Egypt’s Vision 2030 has increasingly tightened the bond of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. We are very confident in building a brighter future of common prosperity,”Eldamaty said.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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