By Wang Ke, People’s Daily
This summer, China’s cultural and tourism market has seen continued growth, with large crowds visiting attractions across the country. Beneath the surface of this activity, however, a quiet transformation is underway: travel behaviors and mindsets are changing.
Spontaneous, last-minute trips are increasingly giving way to meticulously planned itineraries. The trend of flocking to overcrowded hotspots is waning, replaced by a growing interest in discovering lesser-known destinations. This shift, referred to by netizens as “smart tourism,” not only characterizes this summer’s travel patterns but also signals a broader change in consumer attitudes.
At its core, “smart tourism” is enabled by digital technology. With digital platforms now deeply integrated into cultural and tourism services, travelers benefit from more sophisticated tools, ranging from itinerary planning and price comparisons to service recommendations.
These innovations have significantly shortened the decision-making cycle while enhancing planning quality. Real-time information, such as weather forecasts, crowd density, and hotel reviews, allows travelers to make informed, efficient decisions, creating a more predictable and organized travel experience.
Platform data indicates a noticeable increase in early bookings this summer, with “early-bird” orders rising more than 30 percent year on year. The trend illustrates how digital tools are empowering more precise and deliberate travel planning.
“Smart tourism” also reflects a shift toward rational and experience-driven spending. Travelers today are more focused on value and quality. They are willing to invest in meaningful, high-quality experiences while avoiding unnecessary expenditures. This summer, the market saw growth in bookings, travel distances, and trip durations, with spending increasingly concentrated on activities that enhance the overall experience.
For instance, data from car rental services giant CAR Inc. show that cross-city car rentals rose by 400 percent year on year, reaching record highs. Long-distance rentals exceeding 800 kilometers accounted for more than 30 percent of total bookings, up nearly 40 percent from last year. Many county-level destinations have emerged as new highlights for road trips, underscoring the principle behind smart tourism: prioritizing enriching experiences and maximizing value.
This evolution is driven by the alignment of supply and demand. On the demand side, a more mature consumer base is moving away from rushed, checklist-style tourism in favor of personalized and immersive journeys.
On the supply side, local governments and tourism providers are responding with innovative offerings. The Palace Museum has launched digital immersive programs to bring relics to life; Suzhou in east China’s Jiangsu province has extended the evening hours for its classical gardens to enrich nighttime offerings; Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region has introduced multi-day passes for scenic sites to reduce travel costs. These innovations have not only broadened access to high-quality tourism products but also injected fresh vitality into the market.
China’s cultural and tourism industry is transitioning from rapid expansion to quality-driven development. As the market enters a phase of stock competition, refinement and service differentiation are becoming critical. “Smart tourism” is more than just a shift in travel habits but a new consumer ethos of rationality and confidence, while driving the industry toward more personalized, high-end, and service-oriented offerings.
Author: Online Editor
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The rise of ‘smart tourism’ in China reflects evolving travel preferences
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China accelerates internalization of its standards
By Kong Dechen
Amid the mountains of Indonesia’s Java Island, a sleek silver-and-red bullet train glides along the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway. Once a three-hour journey, the trip now takes as little as 40 minutes, a change locals notice daily.
As the first high-speed railway in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, the Jakarta-Bandung line is a flagship project of China-Indonesia practical cooperation that aligns China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Indonesia’s vision of Global Maritime Fulcrum, and its entire technical standards draw on Chinese specifications.
Delivering the project required overcoming the tropical climate and complex terrain. Joint Chinese-Indonesian engineering teams made dozens of localized adjustments to ensure the seamless application of China’s high-speed rail standards across the entire system, component sets, and industrial chain.
The project created 51,000 local jobs during construction and now provides 1,500 stable positions in operation, catalyzing new commercial districts around station areas and injecting fresh economic momentum into the region.
Thousands of miles away, at the China-Zambia Agriculture Standardization Cooperation Demonstration Zone, farmers are adopting standardized practices introduced by Chinese experts.
“In the past, we farmed by instinct. Now we apply fertilizer based on precise data,” said local farmer Charles. Since adopting these standards, marigold oil yields have risen by 15 percent, doubling his family’s annual income.
According to Cao Lili, director of the sub-Institute of standardization theory and strategy of the China National Institute of Standardization, Chinese experts worked across Zambian farms to co-develop more than 30 agricultural standards tailored to local conditions – what she calls a “golden key” to improving agricultural efficiency and productivity.
Beyond exporting products, China is increasingly sharing rules and methods: standards are becoming a form of “soft infrastructure” connecting China and global markets. From 2021 to 2025, China has led the formation of 1,079 international standards and advanced mutual recognition for over 500 standards. It has assumed 26 new secretariats of international standardization bodies in sectors such as advanced equipment and smart manufacturing. In emerging fields including new energy vehicles, advanced power systems, and aerospace, China has submitted 880 new proposals for international standards and led the formulation of 532 international standards, expanding the reach of Chinese standards.
Unified technical specifications have also supported trade in major product categories such as photovoltaics, new energy vehicles, and household appliances, noted Xiao Han, director general of the Standards Innovative Management Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation.
“For example, the China-led international standard for nano-silicon-based anode materials in lithium-ion batteries established key performance indicators for the first time, promoting collaboration and integration along the industrial chain.
Driven by the digital economy and rapid technological innovation, emerging industries increasingly rely on China-led international standards as common technical frameworks that strengthen development foundations and enable cross-border collaboration.
“For example, China spearheaded the world’s first international standard for elderly care robots, establishing reference benchmarks for design, manufacturing, testing, and certification. This standard will guide the high-quality growth of the global elderly care robot industry, benefiting elderly populations worldwide,” Xiao noted.
In recent years, China has reinforced the systems and mechanisms underpinning high-level opening up. According to Cao, standard internationalization is both a core element of institutional opening up and a strategic path for China’s participation in global governance.
“First, alignment with widely accepted international rules reduces the costs associated with technical barriers to trade, consistent with the WTO’s principle of preventing standards from becoming trade barriers,” Cao explained.
“Second, it deepens China’s integration with partners in technology, industry, and markets, enabling regional value chains based on mutual recognition of standards and supporting the dual circulation of domestic and international economies,” Cao said, adding that finally, it operationalizes the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits in global governance, fostering an open, stable, and prosperous world economy. -
UK-Based Governance Report Lists Zamfara, Kwara, Benue Among Nigeria’s Poorest Managed States
A new governance performance review has ranked Zamfara, Kwara, and Benue as the worst-performing states in Nigeria between 2023 and 2025.
The ranking was contained in a midterm report released on Monday in London by the Good Governance Rating Index (GGRI), a UK-based organisation that tracks and evaluates leadership quality, service delivery and accountability in developing democracies.
According to the report, the three states, under the leadership of Governors Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, and Hyacinth Alia of Benue, performed abysmally across major governance indicators such as health, education, infrastructure, economic opportunities, transparency, and security.
GGRI said its findings were based on data gathered from official government reports, independent audits, field surveys, and citizen feedback mechanisms between May 2023 and August 2025.
“The performance of Zamfara, Kwara, and Benue falls well below the national average across all measurable indicators. These states have consistently demonstrated weak leadership, poor policy choices, and a lack of transparency that have compounded the hardships of their citizens,” the report stated.
Zamfara ranked bottom overall, with GGRI citing the deepening insecurity crisis in the state, where armed banditry and mass abductions continue to thrive.
According to the organisation, “Zamfara has no clear developmental agenda despite the governor’s rich manifesto at inception. Corruption and the activities of government agents and non-state actors have continued to fuel insecurity even with billions regularly allocated as security votes. The state’s infrastructure is collapsing, workers’ welfare remains poor, and the vast revenues received from the Federation Account are not translating into meaningful development.”
The report further noted that “Zamfara’s education sector is in ruins, with over 60 percent of school-age children in rural areas either out of school or attending poorly equipped classrooms. Health facilities are chronically underfunded, and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest in the country. Instead of institutional reforms, the government has prioritised political patronage, worsening the plight of ordinary citizens.”
Kwara, under Governor AbdulRazaq, ranked second-worst. GGRI observed that despite heavy rhetoric on reforms, the state’s economy and social indicators have stagnated.
The organisation stated that “poverty is deepening in Kwara, while economic activities remain largely stagnant. The state capital and surrounding towns are plagued with dirty streets and environmental decay, symptomatic of corruption and ineptitude in governance. Infrastructure continues to crumble, with Ilorin suffering from bad roads, unreliable water supply, and inadequate public housing.”
It added that “the education sector has deteriorated, with many schools lacking qualified teachers and learning materials. Health outcomes are similarly poor, with rural health centres understaffed and ill-equipped. Governor AbdulRazaq has mastered the art of lofty promises and public relations, but the reality is that his citizens are not feeling the impact of government on their daily lives.”
Benue State, led by Governor Alia, ranked third-worst, with GGRI warning that insecurity, poverty and governance failures have combined to push the state deeper into crisis.
“Benue has witnessed a collapse in rural infrastructure, with primary schools in many local government areas reduced to ghost structures and hospitals either abandoned or non-functional,” the report noted.
It added that “the governor has shown little willingness to confront insecurity, leaving thousands of internally displaced persons without hope of resettlement. Poverty levels are climbing, economic activities are stagnant, and corruption among state officials is rife. The surroundings in both rural and urban centres are dirty and neglected, with no major infrastructure projects to inspire confidence. What exists is the entrenchment of despair and a government adrift without a clear development agenda.”
GGRI warned that the poor performance of Zamfara, Kwara, and Benue carries national implications, particularly for Nigeria’s human development index and overall democratic consolidation.
“The tragedy is not only that citizens are being denied the dividends of democracy, but also that these failures erode public trust in governance. If unchecked, the long-term consequence will be the deepening of poverty, instability, and disillusionment,” the report stated.
The organisation called on the federal government, civil society, and international partners to intensify oversight and support for reforms in these states.
It recommended urgent interventions in the education and health sectors, stronger accountability frameworks for public expenditure, and targeted security strategies tailored to each state’s challenges.
GGRI further urged citizens in the affected states to demand accountability from their leaders rather than accept excuses.
“Governors are elected to lead, not to explain away failures. The people of Zamfara, Kwara, and Benue must insist on good governance as a right, not a favour,” it concluded.
The Good Governance Rating Index is widely regarded as an independent evaluator of governance quality across Africa. Its reports are often used by donor agencies, development institutions, and investment partners as reference for engagement strategies.
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CAEXPO ushers in a new chapter of China-ASEAN cooperation
By Wang Donghui, Zhang Yunhe, People’s Daily
The 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) has marked a significant milestone in advancing China-ASEAN relations, with high-tech collaboration emerging as a new driver of regional integration and economic growth. The event showcased breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), fostered innovation and entrepreneurship, and reinforced the expo’s role as a strategic platform for deepening cooperation.
CAEXPO’s achievements highlighted the steady momentum in China-ASEAN trade and investment relations. Through broader participation and increasingly pragmatic initiatives, both sides are forging new paths toward mutually beneficial, win-win cooperation.
Innovation is a central theme at this year’s expo. From AI-powered event services to displays of humanoid robots, drones, and other cutting-edge technologies, the expo provided a vivid snapshot of the region’s digital transformation.
Notably, the event featured several firsts: the debut of a dedicated AI pavilion, the launch of an AI agent, and the inaugural China-ASEAN ministerial roundtable meeting on AI. These developments signal growing regional alignment on the future of intelligent technologies.
Sugon, a leading Chinese enterprise in information infrastructure, used the AI pavilion to showcase advances in intelligent computing, cloud services, and big data. The AI pavilion at CAEXPO provides a valuable platform for technology demonstration and business collaboration, said vice president of the company Wei Zhenguo.
Thanousone Phonamat, chairman and CEO of Lao company ALO Technology Sole Co. Ltd., emphasized the potential for deeper engagement: “We look forward to drawing on China’s advanced AI capabilities to co-develop a smart, digital future.”
The prospects for cooperation in strategic emerging sectors such as AI, fintech, big data, and cloud computing are rapidly emerging. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn observed that China’s progress in these domains positions the region to jointly set benchmarks for digital ecosystems and shape future global standards.
IBI, a first-time exhibitor, presented its progress in digitalizing procurement and logistics services. Wang Yu, president of Nedoodoo, IBI’s digital platform for new energy trade, emphasized long-term commitment: “We aim to deepen ASEAN cooperation in digital infrastructure and elevate regional digital transformation.”
According to Wei Zhaohui, secretary-general of CAEXPO Secretariat, the expo is advancing China-ASEAN trade and economic cooperation from “traditional lanes” into “new tracks” driven by digital intelligence.
Beyond high-tech, agricultural cooperation also drew strong interest. The agricultural section featured 178 geographical indication products and 76 new ASEAN agricultural offerings, fostering active commercial exchanges and cross-border linkages.
Since the establishment of the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, bilateral trade and investment have reached unprecedented levels. According to China’s General Administration of Customs, trade between China and ASEAN increased to nearly 7 trillion yuan in 2024 – up from over 870 billion yuan in 2004, when the first China-ASEAN Expo was held, marking nine consecutive years of growth.
Cross-border trade in goods and services continues to thrive. For instance, new energy vehicles manufactured by SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors and Liuzhou Wuling Motors based in China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, are now present in markets such as Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnamese-grown mesona plants can reach Chinese processing facilities from Chongzuo within a day, underscoring the efficiency of cross-border logistics.
“ASEAN-China cooperation has consistently expanded, from traditional trade to investment, digital economy, and green development,” said Lin Chuqin, chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Yu Xubo, chairman of China General Technology (Group) Holding Co., Ltd., reaffirmed the company’s strategic focus on ASEAN. The group has delivered nearly 300 aid projects in the region and completed more than 50 engineering projects in the past decade, with contracts exceeding $6 billion.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to support green infrastructure upgrades and deepen cooperation in advanced equipment such as medical imaging and machine tools, contributing to the modernization of ASEAN’s industrial system,” Yu said.
CAEXPO has become a vital platform for economic engagement and a bridge connecting the peoples of China and ASEAN. The number of trips between the Chinese mainland and member states of ASEAN exceeded 25.24 million in the first eight months of 2025, up 11.2 percent year on year. These growing people-to-people exchanges are strengthening mutual understanding and reinforcing the foundations of long-term partnership. -
Why is China targeting asteroids?
By Wu Weiren
The solar system is home not only to the eight major planets but also to an immense number of
smaller celestial bodies – asteroids and comets – varying in size, shape, and orbital characteristics.
Among them, asteroids are defined as solar-orbiting objects smaller than planets and dwarf
planets, typically inactive in releasing gas or dust. These bodies, numbering in the billions, are
often referred to as "living fossils" of the solar system's formation and evolution. Asteroids with a
perihelion distance of less than 1.3 astronomical units (AU) are categorized as near-Earth asteroids
(NEAs).
NEAs represent one of the most significant potential threats to Earth. The United Nations has
ranked asteroid impacts among the top 20 existential threats to humanity. The prevailing scientific
consensus holds that an asteroid approximately 10 kilometers in diameter was responsible for the
mass extinction event 66 million years ago, which eradicated roughly 75 percent of Earth's
species, including the dinosaurs. More recent examples include the 1908 Tunguska event, which
flattened over 2,000 square kilometers of Siberian forest, and the 2013 Chelyabinsk incident, in
which a meteor explosion injured approximately 1,500 people and damaged some 3,000 buildings.
While the likelihood of such catastrophic events remains low, their potential consequences are
profound. As of March 2025, 38,171 near-Earth objects had been identified, comprising 38,048
near-Earth asteroids and 123 near-Earth comets. However, due to the technical challenges of
detection, only about 1 percent of near-Earth asteroids are currently catalogued. Early in 2025,
asteroid 2024 YR4 briefly showed a 3.1 percent probability of Earth impact, triggering global
concern.
How should we respond to these "uninvited guests"?
At the third International Deep Space Exploration Conference, held recently in Hefei of Anhui
province, Chinese scientists presented their vision for asteroid exploration, planetary defense, and
resource utilization, while extending an open invitation for international cooperation.
The China National Space Administration has in recent years launched a series of feasibility
studies and preliminary programs focused on NEA detection and defense, including a formal
proposal to build a national a near-Earth object defense system. Chinese scientists have outlined a
comprehensive two-pronged strategy: first, the development of an integrated early warning system
that leverages both ground-based and space-based monitoring assets; and second, the
establishment of mitigation capabilities centered on kinetic impactors, supplemented by additional
technologies and supported by a mission response library to ensure that each credible threat can be
addressed with a pre-planned, executable solution.
China aims to conduct its first asteroid deflection demonstration mission around 2027. This kinetic
impact test has three primary objectives: to alter the trajectory of the target asteroid; to observe the
impact in detail, including velocity and energy transfer; and to monitor post-impact changes to
assess the operation's success.
The mission involves targeting a small asteroid approximately 10 million kilometers from Earth,
aiming to change its velocity by 3 to 5 centimeters per second, sufficient to alter its trajectory. The
selected target poses no risk of Earth impact for at least the next century.
From the standpoint of planetary defense and the long-term survival of humanity, developing
asteroid mitigation capabilities is a global imperative. As a responsible major player in space,
China is committed to contributing its expertise and resources to the establishment of an
international asteroid detection and defense system.Beyond defense, asteroid exploration and resource utilization also hold immense promise.
Asteroids contain significant reserves of iron, nickel, platinum-group metals, and water ice. They
are broadly classified into metallic, carbonaceous, and silicate types. The exploitation of asteroid
resources – long pursued by leading spacefaring nations – holds transformative economic potential.
According to authoritative estimates, over 700 of the roughly 1,000 asteroids studied in detail are
each valued at more than $100 trillion. Over the next 30 years, the projected economic value of
main-belt asteroid resources may exceed $700 quintillion.
This field is not only a strategic pillar of deep-space exploration but also a foundational
component of the emerging extraterrestrial resource economy. With ongoing advances in nuclear
space propulsion, quantum technologies, and embodied intelligence, the development of asteroid
resource is expected to become increasingly intelligent, cost-effective, and commercially viable.
In the future, a large-scale industrial chain centered on asteroid exploitation is likely to emerge,
becoming an integral part of the deep-space economy.
(Wu Weiren is the chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, and the director and chief
scientist of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory.) -
Why NUPENG and PENGASSAN Must Stop Terrorising Nigerians
By Kunle Ayo
Recent actions by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) in the oil and gas sector reveal a desperate attempt by certain actors to exploit Nigerians’ sensibilities, perpetuating lawlessness, economic sabotage, and threats to national security for the benefit of a few at the expense of the broader population.
It is an affront to Nigerians’ intelligence that NUPENG and PENGASSAN, historically complicit in the deliberate and egregious degeneration of the oil and gas sector, have long acted as enablers of self-interest. These unions have been directly implicated in decades of inflicting untold hardship on ordinary Nigerians through their neglect, complicity, and collaboration with enemies of the state. Their sudden posturing as defenders of workers’ rights—when their actions have contributed to the suffering of millions—is both hypocritical and insulting.
The recent decision by NUPENG and PENGASSAN to embark on strike action aligns with their persistent assault on the foundation of Nigeria’s economy, which President Tinubu’s administration is working tirelessly to revive. This calculated move seeks to drag the nation back to the dark days of fuel scarcity, economic instability, and national embarrassment, orchestrated by a handful of Nigerians and their foreign collaborators, with NUPENG and PENGASSAN as willing participants.
To call their actions detrimental to Nigeria’s social and economic progress is an understatement. The negative impact on social services is immense, as their strikes have led to the shutdown of thermal power plants, threatening to plunge the nation into physical and economic darkness. This cripples economic and social activities, placing millions of households and small businesses at a severe disadvantage.
NUPENG and PENGASSAN have made no secret of their self-serving intentions, prioritizing a culture of impunity, primitive wealth accumulation, monopoly, and destructive behavior over patriotism.
Their actions consistently place personal gain above the needs of the nation and its citizens, undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence, independence, and economic growth.
Under the guise of unionism and workers’ rights, NUPENG and PENGASSAN have chosen to inflict undue hardship on Nigerians, rejecting platforms for constructive dialogue. Their concerns are not genuine but rather mischievous, selfish, and treasonable, opting for self-help tactics that bring untold suffering to citizens and residents instead of pursuing collaborative solutions.
The federal government’s efforts to facilitate peaceful resolutions to these disputes have been rebuffed by NUPENG and PENGASSAN, who instead escalate their campaign to promote economic instability. Blinded by self-interest, they have failed to grasp the broader implications of their actions and refused to work toward solutions that benefit Nigerians.
Nigerians are neither fools nor gullible enough to fall for their deceptive tactics. The unions’ attempt to sell a false narrative about mass layoffs at Dangote Refinery is a fraud, mirroring their own duplicity. Their efforts to mislead Nigerians for selfish ends have failed. These misguided actors, driven by corrupt motives, remain insensitive to the decades of suffering caused by oil subsidy profiteers.
For years, NUPENG and PENGASSAN remained silent during fuel scarcity crises, ignoring the plight of Nigerians who were reduced to economic servitude in one of the world’s richest oil-producing nations. Yet, they now claim to champion workers’ rights at a time when fuel prices are stabilizing, the forex market is steady, the naira is strengthening against the dollar, and inflation is declining. They suddenly find fault when fuel is widely available, governors can pay salaries and pensions, and viable competition thrives in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum sector, attracting foreign investment due to economic stability.
How can any sincere labour union, concerned with the welfare of its members and the nation’s economic viability, remain silent when massive fraud is perpetrated by a few citizens in collaboration with foreign actors? Billions of dollars in Nigerian funds have been laundered under fictitious pretexts by union officials, and the fraudulent fuel subsidy scheme, orchestrated through a corrupt Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has caused immense harm.
Yet, NUPENG and PENGASSAN now claim to fight for workers’ rights with a fabricated narrative.
NUPENG and PENGASSAN should be well aware of labor laws and their applications. They cannot claim ignorance that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) does not compel staff of private universities to unionize, nor does the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) force workers at private transport companies like GUO or God is Good Motors to join its union.Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) does not mandate teachers in private schools to become members. Union membership is an individual’s private and exclusive right, not a mandatory or national obligation. How many times have NUPENG and PENGASSAN gone on strike to address the failures of Nigeria’s refineries despite billions spent, or to end the fuel subsidy scam?
NUPENG and PENGASSAN have no right to interfere in the internal administration of Dangote Refinery or any other private corporate entity. Their consistent role as saboteurs, aimed at derailing national progress, reveals them as stooges of sedition and terrorism. In a foolish attempt to serve their paymasters, they have declared war on the common man, making a mockery of themselves.
How does halting crude oil and gas supplies serve justice if workers are laid off?Can self-help and blackmail assist affected staff or benefit ordinary Nigerians? Dialogue and legal avenues, not reckless actions, are the appropriate means to resolve disputes. Ironically, the processes NUPENG and PENGASSAN oppose are the very ones that have brought relief, alleviated suffering, and restored hope. These processes have stabilized fuel costs, promoted deregulation, reduced foreign interference in the oil and gas sector, and delivered numerous benefits.
We must echo the voice of Hon. Dr. Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the Federal House of Representatives, who rightly declared this affront against Dangote Refinery as an attack on national security, the economy, and the common man. NUPENG and PENGASSAN must cease acting as tools of saboteurs to derail Nigeria’s progress. They must stop making a caricature of themselves, as times have changed, and a new era of accountability has begun.
The Dangote Refinery has come to stay, driving Nigeria’s economic independence and progress through its transformative impact on the oil and gas sector. Nigerians stand united in resolute support of this vital enterprise, rejecting the sabotage of self-serving actors posing as trade unionists. With the people’s backing, Dangote Refinery will prevail against these economic adversaries, securing a future of stability and prosperity.
*Ayo writes from Lagos
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Nigeria @65: Aondoakaaa urges Nigerians to keep hope alive
A former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaaa, SAN has congratulated Nigerians on the 65th Independence Day Celebration of the country.
In his goodwill message to celebrate Nigerians on the special occasion, Chief Aondoakaaa, a frontline 2027 governorship aspirant in Benue State called on Nigerians to keep their hope in the administration of President Bola Tinubu alive.
He called on Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu, stressing that with time, they will understand that the administration means well for the country.
According to him, October 1st is more than just a public holiday, noting that it’s a time for Nigerians everywhere to celebrate freedom, reflect on how far the nation has come, and look forward with hope.
Furthermore, Chief Kaase Aondoakaaa urged Nigerians to continue to grow together in unity and strength. He also urged them to keep the spirit of unity and love alive.
In his prayer for the nation, Chief Aondoakaaa prayed to God to make Nigeria’s future brighter than the past
He however implored Nigerians to continue to pray for all the leaders in the country as they are the ones God has chosen to lead.
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Dangote Refinery: CSOs kick against DAPPMAN, Labour Unions’ Strike Threat
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), National Coalition for Market Men, Women and Artisans (NACOMWA), and Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA) have expressed bitterness with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), as well as strike threats by PENGASSAN, TUC, and NUPENG, saying it represent nothing short of a direct assault on the Nigerian people.
The coalition, in a press statement during their rally to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly and NMDPRA in Abuja on Tuesday, signed by the President, Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON), Comrade Ibrahim Suleiman; National Chairman, Nigerian Interfaith Forum (NIF), Rev. Dr. Mathew Ayodele; National President, National Coalition for Market Men, Women & Artisans (NACOMWA), Comrade Boma Agbede, and Chairman, Petroleum Consumers Protection Alliance (PCPA), Barr. Yusuf Danladi, called on President Bola Tinubu to hold leaders of these unions responsible if there is a breakdown of law and order in this country and they should be immediately arrested for disobedience to court order.
The coalition said: “For decades, Nigerians have been held hostage by a cartel that thrives on import dependency, round-tripping, subsidy scams, and artificial scarcity. DAPPMAN, an organisation that should be a partner in progress, has chosen instead to undermine the Dangote Refinery and other indigenous refining initiatives because they fear competition, transparency, and efficiency.
“DAPPMAN’s opposition to Dangote Refinery’s emergence as a major force in local refining is not about policy, not about patriotism—it is about preserving their stranglehold over Nigerians. Their agenda is to keep fuel importation alive, so they can continue profiteering at the expense of ordinary citizens who are already battered by poverty, unemployment, and inflation.
“We are equally disturbed by reports that PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and the TUC are planning to embark on an industrial strike to back DAPPMAN’s destructive agenda. At a time when Nigerians are groaning under the weight of economic hardship—when families are choosing between food and school fees, when transportation costs already swallow meagre salaries—these labour unions want to compound the suffering by shutting down oil and gas operations.
“Let us be clear: this is not a strike for workers. It is a strike for cartels. This is not a fight for fairness. It is a fight against Nigeria’s independence in refining. History will not forgive any union that aligns with saboteurs against the very people they claim to represent.”
The coalition said they welcome with relief the ruling of the Federal High Court which barred PENGASSAN from stopping gas supply to Dangote Refinery, saying the judgment validates their position that the strike threats were not in the interest of workers or Nigerians, but a calculated move to sabotage Nigeria’s refining revolution.
They said the judiciary has spoken clearly that no union or cartel has the right to hold 200 million Nigerians hostage in pursuit of selfish interests, and called on security agencies to enforce this ruling decisively and ensure that no group undermines the court’s order.
They further stated that, “ASUU is the union of university lecturers in Nigeria, but it does not go after Covenant, Baze, Babcock, JABU, or Crescent universities to force their lecturers into membership. NURTW is the union of road transport workers, yet it does not force the drivers of God is Good, GUO, Ekeson, or Chisco into its ranks.
“NUT is the union of teachers in primary and secondary schools, yet it does not march into Chrisland, Grange, British International School, or Charterhouse to compel teachers to join.
“So why should Dangote Refinery, a private enterprise built with private sweat and risk, solving our collective refining crisis—be forced into the grip of PENGASSAN or any union that can shut it down at will?
“If any worker at Dangote Refinery is unhappy and feels the need for union protection, let them seek employment elsewhere or test their grievances in court. Nigerians cannot allow a situation where, after decades of suffering from fuel imports, one man builds a world-class refinery, and a union claims the power to cripple it at will.”
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Makinde Confident PDP Will Retain Power in Oyo, Reclaim Presidency in 2027
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will maintain its hold on power in the state beyond 2027 and reclaim the presidency in the next general elections.
Makinde spoke at the Oyo State PDP Congress held at the Basketball Arena of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan. He attributed the party’s growing strength to its commitment to internal democracy and the peaceful conduct of its congresses across the state.
Commending the smooth and rancour-free process from the ward to the state levels, the governor said the PDP’s unity and organization would secure its dominance in future polls.
“I want to congratulate all of us in advance because I believe, in this party, we won’t labour in vain,” Makinde said. “Those who are yet to benefit from this government will be reached soon. This exercise is to ensure that PDP remains in power in Oyo State beyond 2027.”
The governor charged the newly elected state executive members to work diligently to secure the party’s victory at all levels — from presidential to councillorship positions — in the 2027 elections.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Oyo State PDP Congress Electoral Panel, Senator Austin Akobundu, praised Makinde and other party stakeholders for their commitment to fostering unity and discipline within the party. He noted that the congress marked an important step in consolidating the PDP’s structure in the state.
Akobundu commended the delegates for their peaceful conduct and reaffirmed the party’s readiness to build on its achievements ahead of the 2027 polls.
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Presidency Says Jonathan’s ‘Disastrous Record’ Bars His Return in 2027
The Presidency has dismissed claims that former President Goodluck Jonathan plans to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that his “disastrous” record in office would be a major obstacle to any comeback bid.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga issued the statement on Monday in Abuja while reacting to comments by former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, who suggested that Jonathan would run under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Describing Gana’s remarks as “delusional,” Onanuga said Nigerians would not forget Jonathan’s “dismal” performance, insisting that he could not return after 12 years to defeat President Bola Tinubu.
“One recent statement that stands out in its absurdity is Prof. Jerry Gana’s claim that former President Goodluck Jonathan will contest the 2027 election under the discredited PDP that left behind 16 years of economic ruin,” Onanuga stated.
He added that Jonathan’s eligibility might still face legal scrutiny since he had already been sworn in twice as president. “The courts may have to rule on his eligibility,” he noted, warning the former leader not to be swayed by “sugar-coated” advice from PDP loyalists.
According to Onanuga, the same political class urging Jonathan to return would likely abandon him midway, just as they did in 2015. He said while Jonathan had the right to contest, Tinubu would welcome the challenge, trusting the judiciary to determine the legality of any such move.
The presidency also took a swipe at Jonathan’s record, accusing his administration of corruption and reckless economic management.
“We cannot forget how his regime, devoid of any clear economic agenda, ran the economy aground,” Onanuga said. “The downturn President Tinubu is working to reverse actually began under Jonathan. His government depleted foreign reserves and mismanaged oil revenues during a period of record-high crude prices.”
He alleged that Jonathan inherited $66 billion in reserves and excess crude savings in 2010 but left behind less than $32 billion in total by 2015. “By the end of 2014, the government was struggling to pay salaries, and at least 28 states owed workers huge arrears,” Onanuga added.
The statement further accused Jonathan’s government of large-scale corruption in fuel importation and security spending, citing ongoing court cases linked to former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).
In contrast, Onanuga praised Tinubu’s economic policies, saying his administration had stabilised the economy through bold reforms.
“In just over two years, President Tinubu has restored investor confidence. GDP grew by 4.23% in the second quarter of 2025, inflation dropped to 20.12% in August—the lowest in three years—and foreign reserves now stand at $42.03 billion,” he said.
He also credited Tinubu with improving infrastructure and tackling insecurity, arguing that Nigerians would base their 2027 decisions on performance, not nostalgia.
“President Jonathan and others are free to join the race,” Onanuga concluded. “But Nigerians will not forget who broke the economy—and they will not allow those responsible to return and ruin it again.”