NEWS
China Upgrades Cooperation with Africa–Official
China says it has upgraded the China-Africa Economic and Trade Forum and China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Month to the China-Africa Economic and Trade Forum in the framework of China-Africa Cooperation Forum.
Zhang Yangbin, Deputy Secretary-General, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said this during the opening ceremony of 2024 China-Africa Economic, Trade and Cultural Forum in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province.
The Forum with the theme: “Exchanges and Mutual Learning, People-to-People Bond and Win-Win Cooperation” attracted 400 guests from 40 countries and regions.
It aims to deepen China-Africa traditional friendship, expand China-Africa cooperation on the path to modernisation.
Zhang said that the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation formed basis to draw the new blueprint for China-Africa cooperation.
“This year, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Forum and the China-Africa Cultural Cooperation and Exchange Month were upgraded to the China-Africa Economic and Trade Forum and included in the framework of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.
“It is expected that the participants will further deepen friendship and seek opportunities on this platform, and make suggestions for China and Africa to jointly promote modernisation.
“The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries stands ready to work with friends from all over the world.
“This is to build more bridges and bonds to promote the hearts, emotions and strength of the Chinese and African peoples”, Zhang said,
In his keynote, Rahmantala Osman, Permanent Representative of African Union Delegation to China, said China’s investment in Africa played key role in promoting Africa’s modernisation process.
According to him, it is hoped that Africa and China will further strengthen cooperation in education, social security, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industry, and digitalisation to lead the “global south” to prosperity.
In his remarks, Roger Emmanuel, Acting-Director, Embassy of Congo Brazzaville, said Africa to had the most developing countries.
Emmanuel, also the African co-Chair of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum, described China as the world’s largest developing country, saying the friendly relations between Africa and China are a model of win-win cooperation.
“It is hoped that the two sides will deepen mutual trust, share development opportunities and work together to build a better future for Africa and China,” Emmanuel said.
Godius Kahyarara, Permanent Secretary, Tanzanian Ministry of Transport, conveyed Tanzanian President Suluhu Hassan’s appreciation for Africa-China cooperation and congratulations on the success of the forum.
According to him, Tanzania and China have always been each other’s most reliable and trustworthy partners.
Kahyarara said: “This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Tanzania and China. We sincerely hope that the friendship between the two countries will last forever.”
South African Ambassador to China, Siyabonga Cwele, said that the bilateral relationship between South Africa and China has been growing due to deep political mutual trust.
“It is hoped both sides further strengthen economic cooperation, deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, pool powerful forces of the African and Chinese peoples to jointly move towards modernisation ”, Shengwen said.
The Forum was hosted by Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government and organised by Jinhua Municipal People’s Government and Zhejiang Normal University.
It featured display of achievements of the 2024 China-Africa Cultural Silk Road Exchange Month among others.
Highpoint of the event was inauguration of the China-Africa ‘Jinhua’ Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Park.
There was also the signing of the first batch of enterprises settled in Yiwu China-Africa building and Zhejiang-African cooperation projects amounting to about 47.9 billion Yuan. (NAN)
NEWS
NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)
NEWS
Corps Member Donates Delivery Kits to Pregnant Women in Katsina
A Corps member serving in Katsina State, Blessing Ene-Ameh, has distributed free delivery kits to 50 pregnant women in Mani town, Mani Local Government Area of the state
The corps member distributed the delivery kits to the expectant mothers in Mani on Friday as part of her personal Community Development Service (CDS)project.
Eneh-Ameh said that she visited a hospital in the area during one of her group CDS programmes and observed that the hygiene of women in the antenatal and children’s wards was not too good.
The corps member also stated that she had noticed that the turn up of pregnant women for antenatal care was very low.
She said, ”This attracted my attention to the need to educate pregnant women on its importance.
“There is also the need for them to keep themselves and their surroundings very neat to avoid infections for themselves and their babies.
“The aim was also to educate them on the importance of planning for the future of the baby.
”They also need to be staying clean to reduce the risk of contracting infections and other diseases by both the mothers and children, as well as the community in general.
“The training will empower the women to be able to handle and bring up children for the family,” Eneh-Ameh explained.
The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim, commended the corps member for her ingenuity and magnanimity to carry out the project.
Represented by the Local Government Inspector, Alhaji Abdulrazak Ismail-Tsiga, the coordinator urged the corps members serving in the state and other parts of the country to emulate her. (NAN)
NEWS
FUSHO Ag VC Promises Collaboration with Lydia Memorial Hospital
By David Torough, Abuja
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah has promised a stronger collaboration with the Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo for better health services to the people.
Prof. Abah stated this when he received a team of management of the hospital led by the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr.
Mark Ogbodo on Thursday in his office on a courtesy visit.The Vice Chancellor expressed his profound gratitude and thanked the management of the hospital for the visit and described the CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Ogbodo as a long time friend who has a quest for excellence.
On his part, Dr Mark Ogbodo, who is a FUHSO Ambassador and the Immediate Past Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association, Benue State Branch as well as the Immediate Past Secretary of the Association of the Nigerian Authors, Benue State Chapter said that the visit was to congratulate Prof.
Abah on his recent well deserved feat as the FUSHO Acting Vice Chancellor.Dr. Ogbodo who described Prof. Abah as a great achiever and mentor to many and whose achievements are commendable, presented to him, on behalf of the Hospital, an Award of Excellence, in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions to academic and medical excellence in Nigeria, examplary leadership prowess and in appreciation of his countless courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital.
He added that the Hospital’s vision is to ensure a complete state of well-being of patients and promote healthy medical practices in all forms with the mission to provide affordable and easily accessible excellent healthcare services through God’s gifted hands in the purest forms is also poised to deliver the best healthcare services to the people.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the University’s Bursar, Librarian, Registrar and other members of the university management.