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China to play positive role in promoting Africa’s peaceful development
On May 19, at the initiative of China, which holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) this month, the Security Council held an Open Debate on “Peace and Security in Africa: Addressing Root Causes of Conflict in Post-Pandemic Recovery in Africa” via video link.
A presidential statement of the UN Security Council drafted by China was unanimously approved at the meeting. The presidential statement stressed, the UNSC is seriously concerned about the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Africa’s economic, political, security and humanitarian spheres, and its exacerbation of conflict in Africa. A multi-pronged approach and concerted efforts are required to promote the realization of sustainable economic growth and development, poverty reduction and other goals, and to cement the foundation of peace.
The meeting would build consensus and synergy, and inject new impetus to Africa’s lasting peace and sustainable development.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, African countries have suffered severe impacts, facing huge missions and challenges in fighting the virus, stabilizing economy and ensuring livelihood. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the pandemic is feeding many of the drivers of conflict and instability in Africa, and many communities and countries on the African continent already face a complex peace and security environment.
How to help Africa build a line of defense against the pandemic and advance common development on the continent is a test for international equity and justice, as well as human conscience.
China and Africa are good brothers, good friends and good partners. On the meeting, China proposed to help Africa bridge the “pandemic divide,” solve the “peace deficit,” narrow the “development gap,” and refine “unfair governance,” receiving high appraisal from each party concerned.
Facts once again proved that China is always firmly standing together with Africa on achieving peaceful development for the continent.
China has always been a firm supporter of Africa’s fight against the pandemic. The country is actively implementing the measures announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 73rd World Health Assembly and the outcomes of the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19, supporting Africa in its fight against the virus, and working with Africa to build a China-Africa community of health for all.
Forty-six Chinese medical teams based in Africa stood up to the challenge instantly to support local response efforts; China has sent 15 ad hoc medical expert teams to Africa and swiftly set up a cooperation mechanism for Chinese hospitals to pair up with 43 African hospitals. China has been, and is, providing vaccines to over 30 African countries on the basis of their urgent need. China’s timely assistance has won sincere compliment from African countries.
China has always been an active participant in Africa’s development and revitalization. After the outburst of the pandemic, China has fully implemented the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative, signed or reached agreement with 16 African countries on debt service suspension, and canceled the debts of 15 African countries in the form of interest-free government loans that were due to mature by the end of 2020 within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Despite the pandemic, over 1,100 cooperation projects have kept going and nearly 100,000 Chinese technicians and engineers worked dutifully under the limitations caused by COVID-control.
China has always been a strong upholder of Africa’s peace and stability. At present, there are 2,043 Chinese peacekeepers in Africa, safeguarding peace on the continent. With major changes and a global pandemic unseen in a century, and facing the rising unilateralism, protectionism and power politics, China will keep speaking up for Africa in the UN, urge parties concerned to respect the sovereignty of the continent, respect African countries’ choices for their development paths, and respect their rights to equally participate in international affairs.
China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. There sincere friendship becomes even more solid in hardships. China will firmly safeguard and practice multilateralism, and work with the international society to play a positive role in promoting peaceful development in Africa, which is also a contribution to global peace and development.
He Yin
News
Dangote Refinery, national asset every Nigerian must defend — BAVCCA President declares
President of the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA), Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has charged Nigerians on the need to protect Dangote Refinery, describing it as a “national asset that every citizen must protect, nurture, and defend against any form of sabotage or doubt.”
Chukwunyere made this declaration on Wednesday at BAVCCA’s National Secretariat in Abuja, following a visit by a 15-man delegation of the association to Dangote Industries in Lagos.
Adding that the visit to the Dangote Refinery was more than a familiarization tour but “a pilgrimage to witness firsthand the embodiment of Nigerian ingenuity, resilience, and vision.”
According to him, the team’s interaction with Dangote Industries’ Vice President, Mr. Edwin Devakumar, provided deep insight into the sacrifices and determination behind what he described as one of Nigeria’s greatest industrial achievements.
While recalling Devakumar’s powerful testimony about believing in Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s vision for the refinery, even when many investors doubted its feasibility.
“Despite the doubts from potential backers, Mr. Devakumar provided crucial support, backing Alhaji Dangote’s dream every step of the way,”
Chukwunyere said. “Alhaji Dangote himself made extraordinary sacrifices, selling most of his assets to fund the project amid those investor doubts.”
He said the refinery, valued at over $20 billion, was “a testament to this unyielding faith” and a model of how personal commitment can turn vision into reality.
Quoting Devakumar, he said Aliko Dangote’s motivation was rooted not only in business ambition but in a “deep prioritization of Nigerians’ well-being.”
“This passion fuels his endeavors, placing the welfare of our people at the heart of every decision,” he added.
The BAVCCA President noted that despite setbacks such as the closure of the Arewa Textile Industry in Kaduna, Dangote “persevered, keeping his vision alive against all odds.”
He described the refinery as the largest in the world, with the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, set to expand to 1.4 million barrels daily. The project, he said, has created over 65,000 jobs, saved billions in foreign exchange, and generated an estimated $55 billion in annual revenue potential.
Chukwunyere also highlighted the achievements of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant, which he said has “an impressive production capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per annum of urea,” positioning Nigeria as a key player in global agriculture.
During the visit, Chukwunyere said he personally expressed appreciation to the Dangote Group on behalf of BAVCCA and recounted the association’s efforts in defending the refinery against social media misinformation.
“We amplified the truth, countered misinformation, and rallied public support to ensure this vital project was not undermined,” he stated.
In response, he said, the Dangote Vice President “expressed his pleasure with the bloggers’ efforts and commended the good work being done by our community.”
The BAVCCA leader also announced that the association’s forthcoming national conference, scheduled for October 31 in Abuja, would highlight “the achievements of the Dangote Refinery, showcase the visionary behind it—Alhaji Dangote—and celebrate the transformative role of such initiatives in Nigeria’s development.”
He emphasized that content creators have a patriotic role to play in defending national investments.
“Dangote Industries is not just about refining petroleum; it’s about refining our nation’s future—creating jobs, boosting our economy, and reducing dependency on imports,” he said. “Every Nigerian—bloggers, vloggers, content creators, citizens—must rise to protect Dangote Industries.”
Chukwunyere reaffirmed BAVCCA’s commitment to “lead this charge, using our platforms to educate, inspire, and unite,” while calling on Nigerians to honor the sacrifices of Alhaji Dangote and the faith of leaders like Devakumar.
“Join us at our conference on 31st October, and let’s build a Nigeria where national assets like Dangote Industries thrive unhindered,” Chukwunyere concluded.
News
Hon. Munira Applauds Governor Uba Sani for Signing Bill Establishing New College in Lere
By: Fabian Apechihin
In a major educational breakthrough for Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani has signed into law a bill establishing the Kaduna State College of Agricultural Technology and Environmental Sciences in Lere Local Government Area.
The landmark bill was sponsored by Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu, the member representing Lere East Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. The new institution aims to equip young people with modern skills in agriculture, technology, and environmental management — key areas for the state’s sustainable development.
Expressing her delight, Hon. Munira said:
“I am overjoyed to announce that Governor Uba Sani has signed my bill into law. This college in Lere will empower our youth with practical knowledge in agriculture and environmental protection. It will open doors to innovation and help our communities thrive.”
She noted that the college will serve as a hub for research and practical training, boosting agricultural productivity and addressing pressing environmental challenges in the region.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of Kaduna’s economy, and this institution will help modernize the sector while creating new opportunities for our young people,” she added.
Hon. Munira also reaffirmed her commitment to effective representation and progressive legislation:
“We will continue to champion laws that make real, positive impacts in people’s lives. The future is bright, and together, we will build a better, stronger Kaduna State.”
She extended her appreciation to Governor Uba Sani for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for education and rural development.
Residents of Lere and across Kaduna have welcomed the development with excitement, describing the new college as a beacon of hope for the youth and a catalyst for growth in the state’s agricultural and environmental sectors.
With the creation of this new college, Kaduna State takes another bold step toward improving education, empowering its citizens, and building a greener, more prosperous future.
News
Soludo’s Alleged Threat to Jail Catholic Clergy After Re-election Sparks Controversy in Anambra
By Fabian Apechihin
A report claiming that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, plans to jail Catholic bishops, priests, and other clergymen after his re-election has stirred heated debate across the state.
However, Rev. Fr. Raphael Onyekwelu, PhD, Chaplain to the Governor, has dismissed the report as “baseless, ridiculous, and malicious,” describing it as the work of desperate political opponents trying to pit Soludo against the Church.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fr. Onyekwelu said:
“Our attention has been drawn to a fabricated, malicious, and unsigned piece currently circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms, falsely alleging that His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, intends to ‘take on the hierarchy of the Church, especially the Catholic Church,’ after winning the forthcoming November 8, 2025 governorship election.”
He said while such falsehoods would normally be ignored, the campaign season had created fertile ground for misinformation and propaganda.
“This is an election period, and desperate politicians are churning out fake news to deceive the public and cause division. It is laughable that they first admit Soludo is likely to win, and then try to manufacture lies to undermine his relationship with his Church — the Catholic Church,” he stated.
Fr. Onyekwelu noted that the alleged statement did not specify any wrongdoing by the Church to warrant such “imaginary arrests,” calling the entire report “a pitiable fabrication.”
He reaffirmed that Governor Soludo, a devout Catholic, holds the Church in the highest regard and recognizes its crucial role in promoting moral values, education, healthcare, and community development.
“Governor Soludo is a proud and practicing Catholic who cherishes the Church’s partnership in governance and social transformation, in line with Catholic Social Teaching. He deeply appreciates the clergy and their contributions to the moral and socio-economic progress of Anambra State,” he added.
Fr. Onyekwelu emphasized that the governor remains committed to working closely with all religious bodies to advance peace, development, and good governance in the state.
“Under Soludo’s leadership, Anambra continues to experience transparent, people-centered governance anchored on faith, service, and shared values. As the governor often says, ‘Government, Church, and People — together we shall continue to build a peaceful, prosperous, livable, and God-fearing Anambra State,’” he concluded.
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