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China’s path demonstrates strong vibrancy of socialism: Leader of German Communist Party
By Hua Fang, People’s Daily
“I’m really impressed by how fast China has developed,” said Patrik Kobele, chairman of the German Communist Party, in a recent interview with People’s Daily.
Kobele has visited China twice, and yet those two trips brought him totally different feelings. In the early 1990s, he came to China for the very first time, when he visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. Then in 2018, he arrived in China for activities hosted by the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of German philosopher Karl Marx and paid visits to Beijing and Shenzhen.
“When I visited Beijing in 2018, I found that except scenic areas like the Great Wall, everything was quite different from what I saw nearly 30 years ago. I could hardly recognize the streets I had been to before,” Kobele recalled.
In the 1990s, bicycles were the most common means of transportation in Beijing; while in 2018, automobiles dominated the roads of the city, and many of them were new energy vehicles (NEVs), according to Kobele.
“Interestingly, bikes didn’t simply disappeared; shared bikes equipped with advanced positioning system have been developed and put into use,” he said, noting that both shared bikes and NEVs represent green means of transportation.
The Shougang Park, a cultural and sports complex transformed from the former production premises of Chinese steelmaker Shougang Group, was one of the places Kobele could recognize when he revisited Beijing in 2018.
“At that time, a Chinese comrade told me that for the purpose of improving the environment, the Shougang Group moved its facilities out of Beijing, and its former production site in the city would be changed into a park,” Kobele said.
As he read news reports on the Beijing Winter Olympics in February, Kobele was pleasantly surprised to find that the raw material silos at the former premises of Shougang Group had been turned into the office of the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (BOCOG), the clean coal workshop became training base for ice sports, the Big Air Shougang ski jump was built beside the cooling tower, and the industrial park was transformed into an ice and snow park full of vitality.
“This is absolutely an amazing idea. The successful conclusion of the Beijing Winter Olympics has proven that the transformation could truly stand the test of practice,” he noted.
Kobele believes that the Beijing Winter Olympics is a remarkable achievement made by China in promoting the development of the Olympic Games on the basis of strict epidemic prevention and control measures.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic ran riot across the world, athletes from various countries and regions were able to gather together in China and finish competitions safely and smoothly, in which China’s effective anti-pandemic measures played a crucial role, according to Kobele.
By successfully hosting the Beijing Winter Olympics, the Chinese people have shown the world a spirit characterized by pursuit of peace, solidarity and cooperation, which is completely different from certain countries’ overemphasis on individualism, competition and confrontation, he pointed out.
Such a spirit is also manifested in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and other initiatives and concepts proposed by China, according to Kobele.
He believes that the BRI represents an open, inclusive, pragmatic and effective form of international cooperation and is aimed at providing more countries and regions with better opportunities for development.
Kobele has read carefully “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China”, a three-volume collection of speeches and writings by Chinese President Xi Jinping. From what he saw and heard in China, he felt strongly that the CPC has won support from the Chinese people, according to him.
“At the Shenzhen Bay Venture Plaza in Shenzhen, I visited a CPC service center, a large open space with a café and a library where people can report their problems to Party organization. Besides, people can learn theories about the CPC via an interactive screen at the plaza,” Kobele recalled, adding that Marxism has been more widely disseminated in China and more deeply rooted in the Chinese people’s hearts.
China’s path demonstrates the strong vibrancy of socialism; and the CPC has embarked on a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits China’s national conditions by combining the basic principles of Marxism and China’s realities, said Kobele, who noted that several hundred million Chinese people have shaken off absolute poverty under the leadership of the CPC.
The German Communist Party sincerely hopes that the CPC will make even greater achievements in leading the Chinese people along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and expects deeper exchanges and cooperation between the two political parties, according to him.
Although the two political parties are different in size, they share similar ideals and beliefs and always follow the four principles guiding inter-party relations, namely independence, equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, Kobele noted, adding that the German Communist Party sincerely hopes to continue drawing progressive ideas and inspiration from its exchanges with the CPC.
“I’m confident that China will certainly grow into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious by the middle of the 21st century. I really look forward to that day,” Kobele said.
News
Rivers Crisis: Niger Delta monarchs ask Tinubu to fire Wike or call him to order

Some traditional rulers from the Niger Delta have called on President Bola Tinubu to either dismiss the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, or rein him in to prevent further unrest in Rivers State.
HRM King Dodo II of Bilabiri Kingdom, Bayelsa State, and HRH King-Jerry Prebor of the Meinbutus Federal Communities, Warri, Delta State, made the appeal amid tensions in the oil-rich state and the recent bombing of the Trans-Niger pipeline in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
King Prebor, speaking with Vanguard over the phone, urged the president to act swiftly, warning that the situation could escalate. “Given the current events in Rivers State and the likely outcome, I implore President Tinubu, Wike’s employer, to fire him now or call him to order before things get out of hand,” he said.
Similarly, King Dodo II emphasized the need for urgent intervention, cautioning that Wike’s actions could strain the president’s relationship with the people of Rivers State. “On the present situation in the Niger Delta, particularly Rivers State, the president should call his minister to order. The president should take the matter of Rivers State as a serious issue and act fast on it. He should not become the enemy of the Rivers people because of Wike’s selfish desire,” he stated.
Their concerns come as political tensions and security challenges continue to mount in the region.
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Northern CAN flays ethnic, religious divisions in north

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has condemned the persistent ethnic and religious divisions in the North, urging a shift in mindset for regional progress.
Speaking at a dinner in Kaduna attended by CAN chairmen, secretaries, and Christian leaders from across the region, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, lamented that these divisions had hindered development and peaceful coexistence. He emphasized the need for a new era of love, respect, and partnership to overcome these challenges.
“It is disheartening when people perceive us as divided and intolerant. We must usher in a new phase, one of love, respect, and partnership. Our region is blessed, but divisions have cost us dearly. It’s time for a shift in mindset,” Hayab stated.
He reaffirmed CAN’s commitment to unity and addressing obstacles to progress while maintaining its role in advocating for truth with love and understanding. “We will remain a voice for Northern Christians, defenders of truth, and speakers of truth to power. However, we will do so in a way that fosters peace and unity,” he added.
Leader of the Northern CAN Women’s Wing, Ambassador Elizabeth Azizi, commended Hayab’s leadership, describing him as a capable and visionary leader. Several other Christian leaders also paid tribute to him during the event.
Among those present were the Secretary General of Northern CAN, Bishop Mohammed Naga (Borno State); the Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Dr. Barr. Grace Kaka (Bauchi State); and the Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith, Rev. Godwin Adole (Sokoto State). Others included the Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy, Rev. Emeka Obianyor; the Director of Youth, Women, and Education, Rev. Fr. Prof. Ngbea Gabriel (Benue State); and the Northern CAN Vice Chairman, Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson, who also chairs CAN North Central Zone.
Former ECWA General Secretary Worldwide, Rev. Yunusa Madu; President of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum and Seat of God Ministries, Kaduna, Bishop Ademola Idowu Tinuoye; and many other Christian leaders were also in attendance.
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Ebonyi governor Nwifuru suspends three commissioners

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended three members of his cabinet for alleged absenteeism. The affected commissioners—Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development)—were suspended for one month for failing to attend the state executive council meeting held on Monday, March 17, without permission.
Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, disclosed the decision while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting. He stated that Governor Nwifuru had previously warned against absenteeism and laxity among public officials. As a consequence, the suspended commissioners will forfeit all privileges attached to their offices during the suspension period.
Additionally, the governor urged contractors handling state projects to accelerate work in line with contractual agreements, warning that legal action would be taken against any firm failing to meet deadlines.
In another development, the state executive council approved several projects to enhance infrastructure at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Afikpo. These include the construction of staff quarters, a female hostel, and a health clinic. Okpor noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda by improving the living and working conditions for corps members and staff.
The council also approved N40 million for the Ministry of Water Resources to construct a central water store, emphasizing the need to safeguard the ministry’s equipment and consumables.
The council recognized the achievements of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Faculty of Law team, which won the 33rd Christof Heyns African Moot Court Competition in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2024. The victorious team, comprising Michael Agu-Ebeke, Ibor Nwamaka, and their guardian, Dr. (Mrs) Chioma Iteshi, was inducted into the prestigious Ebonyi State Honour Awardees.
Governor Nwifuru commended the team for their exceptional performance, noting that they became the first Nigerian law faculty to win the competition in 33 years. Each awardee received a N5 million cash prize.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education, urging Ebonyi State University and other institutions to prioritize practical-based research to produce graduates equipped to solve contemporary challenges.
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