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Shettima to represent Tinubu at 3rd belt, road forum in China

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On Sunday, Vice President Kashim Shettima left Nigeria to attend the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in Beijing, China, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. The forum is scheduled to take place from October 16 to 18. This information was disclosed by Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

Nkwocha stated that Shettima would be joining leaders from more than 130 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America to discuss the theme, “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.” During the forum, the Vice President is expected to leverage the platform to attract investors for additional development projects in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the Vice President will hold bilateral meetings with leaders from other nations to advance Nigeria’s trade and investment relationships in line with the economic development agenda of the Tinubu administration.

Nkwocha highlighted that the 2023 edition of the BRI Forum marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which was initiated by China’s President, Xi Jinping, in 2013. This initiative seeks international collaboration to promote infrastructure investments across Asia, Africa, and Europe through land and maritime routes.

He also noted that in 2018, Nigeria, represented by former President Muhammadu Buhari, entered into a Belt and Road cooperation agreement with China. This partnership is expected to benefit Nigeria in various areas, including infrastructure investments like ports, skyscrapers, railroads, roads, bridges, airports, dams, and coal-fired power stations.

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The delegation accompanying the Vice President to the forum includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Transportation, Sa’idu Alkali, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, and the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Michael Ohiani.

Additionally, as part of the Tinubu administration’s food security and diversification policy, Vice President Shettima will travel from China to the United States of America (USA). While in the US as a special guest, Shettima will deliver a keynote address at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Food Prize-facilitated Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, set to commence on October 24th, 2023.

He will join other African international leaders and heads of state who have previously delivered keynote addresses at the Borlaug Dialogue. This includes former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, World Food Prize Laureates, Ghana President John Kufuor, AfDB President Akinwunmi Adeshina, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and others.

During this visit, Shettima will highlight the agricultural and food sector reforms being implemented by the Tinubu administration in Nigeria. He will engage with various stakeholders, partners, and potential investors to explore opportunities for investments in Nigeria. Multiple meetings and engagements are scheduled for the Vice President, who is expected to return to Nigeria after fulfilling his commitments in the US.

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JUST IN: Former President Goodluck Jonathan Visits Rivers State, Meets Gov Fubara

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan has arrived in Rivers State to ceremonially flag off the Original Trans-Kalabari Road project.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, welcomed the former president on Monday.

The Trans-Kalabari Road is a major infrastructure initiative designed to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth in the Kalabari region.

Governor Fubara recently stated that the Trans-Kalabari Road will be a transformative project, enhancing accessibility and boosting economic activities in the area.

The project is anticipated to improve transportation, facilitate trade, and promote socio-economic development for the communities along its route.

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Jonathan has previously commended the vision and commitment of the Rivers State government under Governor Fubara’s leadership.

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Ondo guber: 261,703 PVCs remain uncollected — INEC

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that over 261,703 Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in Ondo State ahead of the November 16 governorship election.

Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, revealed during a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure that out of 1,991,344 registered voters in the state, 1,729,641 have collected their PVCs.

She mentioned that all 210 centers for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise have been identified, listed, and published on the INEC website.

Babalola also noted that 18 political parties would participate in the November 16 gubernatorial election.

Prof. Kunle Ajayi, the INEC National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, urged stakeholders to mobilize prospective registrants for the upcoming CVR ahead of the governorship election. He appealed to representatives of media houses, civil society organizations, political parties, security agencies, and People Living with Disabilities to help sensitize prospective registrants to register early, avoid double registration, and discourage underage registration.

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Ajayi recalled that the last CVR exercise ended in July 2022, before the 2023 general elections. The new CVR exercise will run from Monday, May 27, to Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily, including weekends.

He emphasized that this period would allow young people who have reached the voting age of 18 and other eligible voters who missed previous CVR exercises to register.

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Peter Obi visits victims of Kano mosque explosion

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, visited victims of the Kano mosque attack who are receiving treatment at Murtala Mohammed Hospital on Sunday.

Obi explained that his visit aimed to show solidarity with the injured, offer support, and wish them a speedy recovery. He also took the opportunity to thank and encourage the hospital management.

Additionally, Obi extended his condolences to the Government of Kano State, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the people of Kano over the tragic incident.

A 38-year-old man, Shafi’u Abubakar, ignited a petrol bomb, setting a mosque in Laraba Abasawa, Gezawa Local Government Area, on fire during early morning prayers. The Kano State Police Command confirmed on Friday that the death toll from the mosque explosion had risen to fifteen.

In a post on his X handle on Monday, Obi emphasized the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding in society, noting that the incident was a stark reminder of these values.

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“Yesterday, Sunday the 19th, as a follow-up to my earlier condolence message regarding those who lost their lives in the horrific and devastating terror attack on May 16, 2024, in the Gezawa local government area of Kano State during the morning prayer session, I visited Murtala Mohammed Hospital in Kano to sympathize with those injured and receiving treatment at the hospital.

The visit was to physically show solidarity with the wounded, offer support, and wish them a speedy recovery, as well as to thank and encourage the management of the hospital.

Most importantly, it was to send a message to the victims that we stand together in condemnation of any senseless act of violence and killing in our country.

Once again, I sincerely send my condolences to the Government of Kano State, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the people of Kano over this very sad incident. I extend my thoughts and prayers, especially to the families of the victims.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding in our society to create a safer and more harmonious community for all.

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For the deceased, may Almighty Allah forgive their sins and grant them eternal rest,” Obi stated.

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