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China – Nigeria United to Counter Covid-19

By Jolayemi Joseph, Chinenye Chijioke
The Honourable Minister, Trade and Investment Hon. Otunba Niyi Adebayo met with representatives from China General Chamber of Commerce Nigeria, who presented the Ministry with protective clothing and thermometer units, as a show of support in the fight against Covid-19.
The Minister assured them that they will be used to ensure the protection of staff. He stated that he is pleased with the efforts of many of Chinese companies in Nigeria and is encouraging them to continue to invest in Nigeria.
Also Engr. Zhang Wenfeng the Vice President of China General Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (CGCCN) representing 160 member companies and staff to make this donation to Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade And Investment. Donative items are 20,000 Disposable surgical masks, 500 Disposable medical protective suites, 1 No Infra-red Thermal Imaging Thermometer unit.
He stated, “As we all know, the fight against the global pandemic of COVID-19, which continues to take so many lives, threaten livelihoods and challenge the very fabric of societies, requires enhanced cooperation and worldwide solidarity. We are facing a common pervasive and invisible enemy, it is important that we all remain united to save our shared humanity, because this virus is a no respecter of borders.”
It’s inspiring that Chinese support has tremendously strengthened Nigeria’s effort in combating COVID-19.
Continued in his statement he said, “Apart from today’s donation to support locals, all member companies have been called upon to combine their strength with their social responsibilities in working together with the all tiers of the Government and communities to overcome the difficulties. Till today, in FCTA, LAGOS, KANO, OGUN, NASSARAWA, KOGI, ONDO and EDO States, approximately hundreds of times of donations have been made, and such kinds of donations will still be going on in various states, until the pandemic is thoroughly overcome.
With the Government’s high efficiency, the medical staff’s professionalism and the people’s unity, we have felt the determination of the Federal Government in doing its best to protect the livelihood of the people in the country and people’s life will return back to normal in the near future. By then, we believe Nigeria will attract more investment and trade with its excellent business environment.
Finally, I’d like to welcome all of you to pay a visit to the two major ongoing projects in Nigeria of China Harbour Engineering Company, which is my company having been operating more than 26 years in Nigeria. One is Lekki Deep Sea Port which is mainly invested by China Harbour Engineering Company. The total investment is about 1.05billion US Dollars. The project started last year and the construction period is 27 months. The other one is Keffi-Makurdi Road Project which is funded by China EXIM Bank and Federal Government.”
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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