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Socialism with Chinese characteristics suits China’s national conditions the best: former Hungarian PM Peter Medgyessy

Published

6 years ago

April 28, 2021

By Yu Yang, Feng Xuejun, People’s Daily

The leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the social system of socialism with Chinese characteristics suit China the best and are bound to help China continue with development and achieve greater progress in the future, former Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy said in an interview with People’s Daily recently.

Every country is looking for a social system that best fits its history, culture and fundamental realities, Medgyessy said.

There are two main reasons why the CPC can always maintain its vitality and constantly make new achievements, Medgyessy said, explaining that the first reason is that the CPC has its highest ideal and ultimate goal that it can strive for in the long run, and the second one is that the Party keeps pace with the times and constantly makes innovations in practice.

China’s achievements in development are attributed to the strong leadership of the CPC, and China’s success represents the success of the CPC, Medgyessy said, noting that it’s not easy for a century-old political party of a major country to still maintain vitality.

China’s development has not only benefited the Chinese people, but also created a huge market and many investment opportunities for the world, according to Medgyessy.

Since 1987, Medgyessy has visited China for multiple times at the invitation of departments and units including the International Department of the Central Committee of CPC, and has paid attention to China’s development and changes for decades.

Many of China’s achievements have impressed him a lot, Medgyessy said, referring to such accomplishments as economic take-off, lifting nearly 100 million impoverished rural residents living under the current poverty line out of poverty, as well as rapid development in high technologies in such fields as 5G communications network, artificial intelligence (AI), and aerospace.

Of all the achievements made by China, the most important one is the rapidly improving quality of people’s lives, Medgyessy pointed out.

Medgyessy has paid special attention to poverty reduction. Last December, he attended the International Forum on Sharing Poverty Reduction Experience host by China.

In his speech at the forum, Medgyessy pointed out that poverty exists in many countries in the world, and it takes political vision, long-term planning, and political, economic and social stability to realize economic development, improve people’s well-being, and eradicate poverty and backwardness.

Real statesmen can set long-term goals and implement plans with great consistency to achieve them, Medgyessy said.

China has been committed to implementing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development all along and has achieved the poverty reduction target set in the 2030 Agenda ten years ahead of schedule, noted Medgyessy, adding that China has adopted far-sighted policies and measures and taken practical actions for eradicating poverty, which has won high praise from various parties in Hungary.

Since the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese people have united as one to battle against the pandemic and made a major strategic achievement in fighting the virus.

Against such a background, Medgyessy sent a letter to the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs. In the letter, he expressed his respect and admiration for the results Chinese people achieved in courageously fighting the pandemic under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He believed that China is capable of gradually eliminating the impacts of the pandemic on the economy and that China’s achievements in fighting the COVID-19 would provide important experience for global efforts to combat infectious diseases in the coming decades, according to the letter.

The key to China’s success in bringing the pandemic under control is that the CPC and the Chinese government are able to organize efforts properly and that the Chinese people have a strong sense of discipline, Medgyessy pointed out.

Noting that the COVID-19 is still spreading across the globe and posing severe challenges on the world’s poverty reduction cause, Medgyessy said that China’s experience in alleviating poverty serves as reference for various countries around the world, and that the country is believed to share with the rest of the world its experience in development and fruits of development as always and continue to provide support for other developing countries.

During the interview, Medgyessy happily recalled the time when he met with Xi in 2009 during Xi’s visit to Hungary as the vice president of China. “We had a meaningful conversation, and I’m still proud of it now,” Medgyessy said.

Xi has brought to the world a new way of thinking, Medgyessy noted, saying that Xi has clear ideas about China’s development and the relationship between China and the world.

China has been actively taking part in international affairs, committed to safeguarding multilateralism, promoting world peace and development and the progress of human civilization, and pushing forward with the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, exerting a profound influence on the world, Medgyessy said.

The idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Xi is “very right and important,” Medgyessy said, explaining that the world today is faced with various prominent global challenges that need to be tackled with joint efforts of all countries.

International cooperation and multilateralism is the effective approach to safeguarding peace and promoting development, Medgyessy added.

During his tenure as Hungarian Prime Minister between 2002 and 2004, Medgyessy actively advanced friendly exchanges between Hungary and China. The Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual School in Budapest established at his suggestion is the only 12-year public school in Hungary and even Central and Eastern Europe that uses both the language of the host country and Chinese in teaching. The school has become an important platform through which Hungarian teenagers learn Chinese and acquire knowledge about Chinese culture.

Hungary is willing to build bridge for exchanges and cooperation between China and the European Union, according to Medgyessy, who believes that with the support of China and Hungary, the Hungarian-Chinese Bilingual School in Budapest will cultivate more constructors and successors of the friendly ties between the two countries.

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Kwara celebrates Fela’s legacy with retrospective exhibition

Published

14 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Government has celebrated the life and enduring influence of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, with a retrospective exhibition aimed at preserving African cultural heritage and inspiring younger generations.

The exhibition, titled Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective, was opened by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the Institute of Contemporary African Art and Film in Ilorin on Monday.

The Governor said the establishment of the institute reflected his administration’s belief that development should extend beyond physical infrastructure to include spaces that promote creativity, knowledge and economic opportunities.

“When we established the Institute of Contemporary African Art & Film, our vision was clear: development must go beyond roads, bridges and buildings to create spaces for creativity, knowledge and opportunity,” AbdulRazaq said.

According to him, cultural infrastructure plays an important role in connecting people to their history, broadening their imagination and encouraging critical thinking.

“Physical infrastructure connects places; cultural infrastructure connects people to their history, expands their imagination and challenges their thinking,” the Governor said.

AbdulRazaq said the institute was established to preserve African stories, nurture talents and showcase the continent’s artists and thinkers to the world,
describing the decision to open the institution with an exhibition dedicated to Fela as significant, given the musician’s contribution to African music, social commentary and cultural expression.

“Fela was more than a musician. Through his music and artistic expression, he challenged conventions and confronted society with questions about power, freedom, identity and justice,” he added.

The Governor added that the late musician’s life demonstrated the capacity of artistic expression to influence public discourse and inspire social change.

The exhibition, curated by June Creative Art Advisory, led by its founder, Mrs Seun Alli, featured photography, archival materials, film, graphic works and other artistic expressions exploring Fela’s life, times and enduring influence.

AbdulRazaq commended the firm for bringing its curatorial expertise and creative vision to the project, while describing the exhibition as an opportunity for different categories of visitors to engage with the musician’s legacy.

He said the exhibition would provide students with learning opportunities beyond the classroom, inspire artists, support researchers and encourage young people to explore the creative industry.

“For students, this is a classroom beyond the classroom; for artists, inspiration; for researchers, an opportunity for deeper inquiry; and for young people, a reminder that creativity offers both self-expression and economic opportunity,” he said.

The Governor clarified that the state government was not claiming ownership of Fela’s story but was providing a platform for younger generations to encounter and learn from his legacy, adding that the state government is optimistic that the institute would promote cultural education, encourage creative enterprise, attract visitors and strengthen Kwara State’s position in Nigeria’s cultural and creative landscape.

According to him, the institution’s success would be measured by the talents it nurtured, the ideas it inspired and the opportunities it created.

“Governments change, but institutions should endure,” the Governor said, expressing the hope that the exhibition would mark the beginning of sustained cultural engagement at the institute.

“May this exhibition begin sustained cultural engagement at ICAAF and inspire our young people to create, question, discover and contribute to society,” he said.

AbdulRazaq added that the initiative reflected his administration’s commitment to building a state where cultural heritage, innovation and economic opportunities complemented one another.

In her address, the Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, said: “Today’s exhibition offers us an opportunity to revisit the life and works of Fela
Anikulapo-Kuti and appreciate how his music, ideas and artistic expression continue to influence generations.

“For the Ministry of Communications, this occasion speaks to an important part of our
mandate: promoting the stories, talents and creative expressions that shape our identity as a people.”

The Commissioner particularly noted that under Governor AbdulRazaq’s leadership, the State is creating opportunities for young people through investments in sectors such as film, fashion and technology.

She added: “Projects including
the Sugar Film Factory, the Garment Factory and the Ilorin Innovation Hub reflect the administration’s commitment to developing talent and supporting enterprise.

“The Institute of Contemporary African Art & Film, formerly the Ilorin Visual Arts Centre, adds an important dimension to this effort. It provides a platform for artistic expression, cultural learning and creative collaboration.

“We want young Kwarans who are passionate about painting, photography, filmmaking, fashion and design to see ICAAF as a place where they can explore their interests, learn from others and showcase their talents.

“We also encourage students to engage with art and history beyond the classroom. Fela’s story is a fitting subject for this exhibition. It demonstrates how creativity
can go beyond entertainment to shape cultural identity and influence public conversations. There is much for our young people to learn from his artistic journey and enduring impact.

“It might also interest you that kwara state was also part of Fela’s creative showcase during his lifetime.”

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2027: Ilorin West LG Boss Leads APC Mega Rally In Ubandawaki

Published

14 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Our Reporter

•••Says Ward stands with APC

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Executive Chairman of the Ilorin West Local Government, Mallam Shehu AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan, has led an All Progressives Congress (APC) mega rally in Ubandawaki Ward, reaffirming the commitment of party members and supporters to the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The rally attracted party leaders, grassroots mobilisers, youths, women, and other stakeholders who gathered to demonstrate their support for the party.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman Ladan declared that Ubandawaki Ward remains committed to the APC and its political leadership, expressing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the APC governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi-Salihu (SYD), alongside other party candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman emphasised the importance of unity, peaceful political engagement, and sustained grassroots mobilisation in strengthening the party’s structure ahead of the forthcoming elections, urging party faithful to remain united, engage constructively with residents, and work collectively towards the party’s political objectives.

Ladan also acknowledged the importance of Ubandawaki Ward in the political landscape of Ilorin West, encouraging party leaders and supporters to maintain cordial relationships, promote inclusive participation, and sustain engagement with the electorate. He stressed that a united party structure would help strengthen internal cooperation and effective grassroots coordination.

The mega rally renewed calls for unity, loyalty, and peaceful political participation among APC members and supporters, underscoring commitment by participants to mobilising support for the party’s candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, while promoting peace, development, and responsible democratic engagement across Ilorin West Local Government Area.

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KW-IRS Staff Threaten Strike Over Alleged Poor Remuneration

Published

6 days ago

October 21, 2026

Our Reporter

Mgt Accuses Union Of Dishing Out False Staff Remuneration Scale

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The staff of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) have lamented poor welfare conditions, rising living costs and stagnant salaries they have been subjected to, despite their contributions to the state’s revenue generation.

In a statement issued by the KWIRS chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), the workers lamented that their sacrifice and professionalism, which have helped to place Kwara State among the more self-reliant states in the country, have not been matched with corresponding improvement in their welfare.

The workers questioned the disparity between their contributions to the state’s revenue and their welfare, saying many of them are battling financial hardship.

“We block leakages. We are posted to hospitals and other MDAs to secure government revenue. We work under pressure day and night but we continue to struggle to meet basic needs due to poor salaries.”

The association further expressed concern that personnel costs had remained unchanged for years while other expenditure heads had continued to increase.

It also cited a salary negotiation agreement dated October 11, 2022, which reportedly stated that the adjustment would be implemented “as soon as it can be accommodated in the budget.”

According to the workers, nearly four years after the agreement, there had been no implementation or clear indication of when the adjustment would take effect, despite the rising cost of living.

The staff said expenses on school fees, house rent, transportation and food had increased significantly while their salaries remained unchanged. “We smile outside but the majority of us are bleeding inside. We cannot continue to generate wealth for the state while we wallow in abject poverty,” they declared.

Urging their colleagues to remain united and resolute in pursuing improved welfare, the association said the workers should not expect better conditions without collectively standing up for their interests.

It called on members to remain calm, vigilant and prayerful as a 14-day period beginning October 15, 2026, counts down, without specifying further details in the statement about the expected action at its conclusion.

Reacting to the KW-IRS staff allegations, the Management, while
reaffirm its commitment to professionalism, political neutrality and its statutory mandate, expressed dismay over public speculation on staff remuneration and attempts to politicise unverified internal administrative communications.

“Management is concerned by attempts to exploit unverified internal administrative communications for political purposes, create unnecessary tension and distract the Service from its responsibilities. KWIRS will not be distracted from its mandate by such narratives,” said the Management.

It added: “The isolated salary figures being circulated on social media do not represent the full remuneration structure or total emoluments of KWIRS staff. Staff compensation extends beyond regular monthly salaries and includes the following benefits, in accordance with applicable policies and approved arrangements:

“Annual and Performance-Related Bonuses: Annual, festive, and situational bonuses linked to revenue performance milestones and staff performance and situational economic palliatives are paid periodically to staff members

“Annual Leave Allowance: A separate annual payment in addition to regular monthly remuneration.
Staff Welfare and Operational Support: Structured measures designed to support staff welfare and professional development throughout their careers.

“Accordingly, assessing staff remuneration solely on selectively circulated salary figures presents an incomplete picture of the Service’s compensation and welfare structure.

“Management remains committed to staff welfare, motivation and professional development. The Service will continue to strengthen policies and operational processes that support staff well-being and performance, within government-approved resource allocations and applicable administrative frameworks. The Service remains one of the Government Institutions with the most recruitment requests and this is a testament of Management’s commitment to staff welfare.

“KWIRS urges members of the public, taxpayers and other stakeholders to disregard unverified and misleading narratives, verify information before sharing it, and rely on official Service communications for accurate information about its operations and staff policies.

“All stakeholders are encouraged to refrain from politicising internal administrative matters or spreading claims capable of undermining institutional harmony and public confidence.

“KWIRS remains focused on its statutory responsibilities and committed to mobilising revenue for the economic growth and sustainable development of Kwara State.”