Nigeria vs. China: Decoupling data on global poverty rankings by Remmy Nweke | WeekendDigits@ITREALMS

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The global landscape of macroeconomic development is fundamentally a story of shifting trajectories, resource governance, and institutional engineering. When analyzing how transition from widespread economic vulnerability to structural resilience, historical data often reveals stark, illuminating contrasts.

A critical piece of visual video evidence currently circulating in public policy circles, offers an empirical window into one of the most dramatic socioeconomic reversals in modern history. The data tracks the absolute headcount of individuals living in extreme poverty globally across a multi-decade timeline.

NNPCL footprint enters Japan, China with LNG supply - ITREALMS

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In line with its strategic vision to be a dynamic and reliable global energy supplier of choice, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has commenced shipment of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) cargoes to Japan and China on Delivered Ex-Ship (DES) basis.

NNPC Ltd achieved the milestone through the collaboration of two of its Downstream subsidiaries – NNPC LNG Ltd and NNPC Shipping Ltd – which delivered its first DES LNG cargo from the 174,000m³ LNG vessel Grazyna Gesicka at Futtsu, Japan, on 27th June, 2024.

China says 15-man medical team’ll not treat Nigerian COVID-19 patients - ITREALMS

 ITREALMS: 

The Republic of China has explained that its 15-man medical team in the country would not treat any Nigerian COVID-19 patient whilst on this mission, reports ITREALMS.

China through its Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), whose subsidiary the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (‘CCECC’) said is supporting Nigeria in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic that is adversely affecting livelihoods and economies across the world by making available necessary medical equipment and health consumables.

Although the team, ITREALMS gathered has commenced immediately their 14-day mandatory quarantine exercise since arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Wednesday evening, 8 April 2020, the items required by the Nigerian Government will be handed over by CCECC to relevant authorities.

Confirming this to ITREALMS in a press statement by the Managing Director, CCECC Nigeria, Mr. Michael Jiang, noted that 12 of medical mission are experienced medical professionals with expertise in infectious disease, respiratory illness, intensive care, cardiology, neurology, general surgery and anesthesiology.

Equally, he said, members of the team have relevant experience in the prevention and diagnosis of the COVID-19.

He revealed that the primary purpose of the working team is to escort the medical supply, provide guidance for their usage and distribution.

“They will also provide CCECC employees with critical and necessary healthcare assistance where necessary. They are also coming with adequate PPE and medical items for the employees. In addition, under the directive of Chinese Embassy and in response to the Nigeria Government’s request, the working team may also share with Nigerian medical teams effective methods on how to contain the COVID-19 and provide advice on the use of relevant medical equipment. The team is not coming to treat Covid-19 patients in Nigeria,” Jiang explained.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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FG places travel bans travel on China, USA, UK, Germany, 9 others

ITREALMS:

THE Federal Government (FG) has issued a travel ban on 13 countries over the spread of the Coronavirus, otherwise known as CoVID19, with effect from Saturday, March 21, 2020, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this development, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said Tuesday after a closed-door meeting with the Presidential Task Force Committee on COVID-19 in Abuja, that the ban affected some 13 countries including China, Iran, South Korea, Germany, Italy, USA, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, France, and Japan.

He also said the committee after a meeting concluded that all officials in the Ministries, Department, and Agencies, comprising parastatals to stop all forms of travels out of the country for whatever reasons.

“At the conclusion of the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Task Force on the control of COVID-19, the committee has reached some decisions.

“We have decided to advise that all officials in the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies including parastatals, that government has banned all forms of travels out of the country for whatever reasons.

“Whether for meetings, bi-lateral, multilateral, conferences, seminars, workshops and any form of other ceremonies. And this ban will remain in place until further notice and until the situation of pandemic nature of the COVID-19 stops.

FG warned that “By this notice, any prior approval to travel abroad on official assignment during this period is accordingly resisted.”

As said by Mustapha, the committee equally urged for scaling up the nation’s health emergency system to the highest level and put in measures to curb further spread of the disease.

The committee headed by the SGF also advised the citizens strongly in their own interest to cancel or postpone all non-essential travel abroad including business and vacation trips.

“This is especially so, especially when it comes to the countries known to be seriously affected by the COVID-19.

“Secondly, we urge anyone returning to Nigeria from any country to strictly self-isolate for 14 days. And that all people returning from countries with high community transmission rate, especially countries that have recorded a thousand cumulative cases and above would be actively isolated for 14 days by the health authorities,” he said.

The nation’s chief scribe said that the Nigerian government was also in support of measures taken by the government of other countries, particularly high burden countries who have urged their citizens to stay home and avoid non-essential travels.

*Uboshe Uboshe with additional reports from NAN

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Nokia, China's OPPO sign patent license agreement - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Nokia has signed a patent license agreement with OPPO, reports ITREALMS.

Under the agreement, OPPO will make payments to Nokia for a multi-year license period.

"OPPO is one of the leaders in the smartphone industry and we are pleased to welcome them as a Nokia licensee," said Maria Varsellona, Nokia Chief Legal Officer and President of Nokia Technologies. "This agreement further validates our global licensing program."

The terms of the agreement remain confidential between the parties.

However, ITREALMS gathered that Nokia creates the technology to connect the world, powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, and serves communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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FG to partner China on developing animation industry

ITREALMS:

The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed interest in partnering with China to develop the country’s animation industry, reports ITRealms.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave this indication in Abuja, Thursday, while receiving a delegation of Television Production and Animation Companies from China in his office, saying it’s a call for a meaningful partnership.

He described animation as the fastest growing genre of the film industry, saying animation will thrive in Nigeria, especially if it is rooted in the culture and tradition of the people.

"Animation today has grown into a multi-billion-dollar business and notably in China, France and some other countries and we have in abundance in Nigeria abundant talent and also content.

"What we need is a meaningful partnership between these companies and Nigeria to develop our animation technology and our animation culture to a level that it will not only be impactful and meaningful, but will also be another vehicle through which we can promote the culture of Nigeria and its diversity," he said.

Mohammed expressed the optimism that animation will open another vista of opportunity for the talented youths in Nigeria because of the abundance of interesting stories in the country, and stressed the need for technology transfer from China in order to make the desired impact.

"We have the content, we have the stories, what we need is the technology. So we want to partner with you in a manner that we can encourage our very young and talented artists, film-makers and producers. But the content of the animation, for it to be meaningful to us and to the younger ones, must be rooted in the culture and history of our people," the Minister said.

He said with Nigeria's remarkable progress in the ease of doing business and the various positive economic indices being recorded, the country is now the preferred destination for investors, with a guaranteed on investment.

Alhaji Mohammed advised the companies to take advantage of the various policies put in place by the government, such as a three-year tax holiday for companies that have been classified to enjoy pioneer status, and invest in Nigeria in view of the country's huge population, talent and availability of content.

Earlier, Mr. Chen Huanan, the leader of the delegation and the Director of Culture and Tradition in the Chinese Ministry of Culture, said the delegation is in Nigeria to seek areas of cooperation with their counterparts in the country.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Pix: Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), flanked by the Vice President, Startime, Ms. Guo Zigi (right), and the Director of Culture and Tradition in the Chinese Ministry of Culture, Mr.  Chen Huanan, during a courtesy visit to the Minister by a delegation of Television Production and Animation Companies from China in Abuja on Thursday.

Nigeria, China infrastructure partnership to boost tourism - Minister

ITRealms:

 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the partnership between Nigeria and China in the area of infrastructural development as a catalyst for domestic tourism in the African nation, reports ITRealms.

These remarks were made in Abuja on Thursday when he received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pinson, on a courtesy visit.

"I think China is a good example of how domestic tourism can propel and trigger the economy. But for domestic tourism to prosper of course you also need improved infrastructure. This is why we are so glad that China is collaborating with Nigeria in the area of infrastructure such as roads, power and railways," he said.

Alhaji Mohammed expressed delight at the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, which he described as mutual and sincere, saying China remains one of the strategic partners of Nigeria because of its genuine commitment and passion towards the country.

He said the cultural ties between the two countries can further be strengthened especially in the areas of film and cinematography, and he reiterated his earlier request for the screening of Nigerian movies in China.

He said the screening of Nollywood movies in China will reciprocate Nigeria's gesture towards Chinese movies, which are shown in Nigeria, in addition to being a deliberate strategy to ensure better understanding between the two countries while also creating a market for Nigerian films in China.

Alhaji Mohammed underscored the critical role which discipline played in the Chinese cultural revolution and said Nigeria will key into it to further enrich its National Re-orientation Programme "Change Begins With Me."

"One of the major strength of China today is discipline, it's ethics and respect for values and this is exactly what we are trying to achieve through our 'Change Begins With Me' Campaign," he said. 

The Minister said even in the area of media and entertainment, China is closely linked with Nigeria through the partnership between the Nigerian Television Authority and Star Times, and acknowledged that China also offered a loan of $500 million to revamp and upgrade the broadcasting industry in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria said culture and people-to-people relations are part of the ten priority areas which China is exploring to foster relations with Nigeria.

He said China has opened discussion with the Minister towards the building of Nigerian China Cultural Centre in Nigeria to further promote the cultural ties, which will boost communication and understanding between the two countries.

"What we wish to do with Nigeria we have outlined in the four cardinal framework and we have the bilateral document with this esteemed ministry. So, cultural activities, personnel exchanges, skills training and capacity building we wish to have firm foundation in these fields and we wish we could do more in these fields with Nigeria," he said.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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From Left: Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjon; Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba and Liaison Officer, Mr Lawal Sale during a courtesy by the Chinese Ambassador to the Minister of Information & Culture in Abuja on Thursday

MIC confirms request for N13.1m from NBC, says not personal loan for Lai Mohameed

ITRealms:

The Ministry of Information and Culture (MIC) has confirmed requesting for a loan of N13,120,470.00 million from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to cover a five-man delegation to Beijing, China for a conference on Tourism for Development, reports ITRealms.

MIC also insisted that the loan is not a personal loan for the Honourable Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

A press statement signed by Director of Press (DoP) and Protocols at MIC, Dama N.P.D. and made available to ITRealms, said their attention has been drawn to a letter endorsed by (DoP) to the Ag. Director General, NBC, said the loan is to cover tickets and travel expenses of a five-member delegation being led by the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture to Beijing, China.

Dama alleged that the internal memo was mischievously leaked to the social media by staff of National Broadcasting Commission.

According to Dama, the loan being requested is for the Ministry to meet up its obligations to enable the Minister and members of his delegation attend the Conference on Tourism for Development in China, that is, meant to benefit the country.

“The loan is not meant for the Honourable Minister alone as personal expenses, but for the expenses of all members of the delegation … but for the entire five members of the delegation to cover for tickets, travel allowances and other incidentals,” Dama said.

The conference, Dama said, is being organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation in conjunction with the Government of the People’s Republic of China, under the overall theme “Tourism for Peace and Development,” will feature amongst others discussions on major issues for sustainable development including the contribution of Tourism to poverty reduction and peace.

Dama further said the Conference will also feature discussion on major issues that have direct bearing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), poverty alleviation through Tourism and the linkage between Tourism peace at the National and International levels.

In addition, Dama said, China on this occasion as chair of G20 will also host the 7^th T20 Ministers meeting under the theme “Sustainable Tourism, An Effective Tool for Inclusive Development.''

The Conference, the DoP pointed out, is a veritable platform to develop synergy and partnership with players in the global Tourism Industry which will go a long way in boosting our drive to diversify the Nigerian economy.

“It is also important to note that the Minister and his delegation were to have discussion in China with Set Top Box Manufacturers, who are meant to establish manufacturing factories in Nigeria for these boxes for our digital broadcasting processes, rather than the current situation in which the boxes are being imported.  This is meant to conserve our foreign exchange and to also create avenue for job creation for our citizens,” Dama said.

The DoP emphasized that the Conference is an all important gathering that will benefit Nigeria, contribute towards diversification of its revenue base and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“Again, it is not unusual for an agency under the Ministry to assist in order to carry out government functions.  Moreover, the request was discussed with the Ag. Director General NBC, who agreed to assist with the loan before the letter was written.  It is therefore shocking to find out that an internal memorandum from the Ministry could be leaked out to the social media by saboteurs in order to embarrass the government,” Dama said, maintaining that no multiple letters were written to government agencies as alleged.

“We only wrote to NBC after discussing with the Ag. DG.  Payments were to be effected if the fund were loaned out based on extant financial regulations.  There is nothing wrong with the request of the Ministry to meet up with an important assignment meant to benefit the country,” Dama claimed.

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Shittu leads Nigeria delegation to China, as NIGCOMSAT wins Belarus heart

ITRealms

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Thursday led the Nigerian delegations to attend international conference on space technology in Belarus, China, even as Nigerian Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) would use the opportunity to consummate its deal with Belarus Sat, reports ITRealms.

The delegation is also expected to work on improving the nation's cyber space and the telecommunications sector. 

Confirming this, the Special Assistant on Media to Communications Minister, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, said this coincided with the award of a Carrier Spectrum Management (CSM) contract to one of the agencies in the Ministry, NIGCOMSAT by the Republic of Belarus. 

Aside from attending the conference, Barrister Shittu would also pay a working visit to the town of Fxichang, where he is expected to meet with leading telecommunications' players in China.

The Minister is equally scheduled to attend the launch of Belitersat1 satellite in the country which would afford him the opportunity to sell Nigeria's vast potentials in the sector to investors at the forum.

Oluwadamilare further confirmed to ITRealms that Shittu would return to Beijing on Saturday, where he is expected to parley with other stakeholders in the telecommunications industry. 

Barrister Shittu had his assumption of office expressed his determination in making the telecommunications sector a cash cow for the nation's economy in view of its untapped potentials.

Meanwhile, NIGCOMSAT has become the first company in the African continent to tender and won the bid to provide a Carrier Spectrum Management (CSM) and In- Orbit Test (IoT) services for Belintersat-1 which belongs to the Republic of Belarus. 

The award is expected to boost the company's drive to extend its products and services, thus making it a leading company in the satellite business the world over.

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China, Europe, US agree to provide observation data to developing countries

ITRealms:

The 12^th session of the inter-governmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) ended in the city of Mexico city at the weekend with renewal of pledges by the trio of China, Europe and the United States to provide critical earth observation data to developing countries, reports ITRealms.

Highlight of the session made available to ITRealms by the Senior External Relations Manager, Group on Earth Observations, Robert J. Samors, stated that the three countries have renewed commitment to GEONETCast, an initiative of these countries to this effect.

Samors also quoted the South Africa´s Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, pointed out that the responsibility before African leaders is to ensure the targets of the global goals for Sustainable Development are met.

“We should not take science for granted. We need to provide adequate funding for scientific research and global collaboration,” Pandor said.

Chinese Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Jianlin Cao, noted that the promotion of open access data, knowledge and information has become imperative.

“… Data sharing is key for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). As Co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific region, we will implement more activities to enforce GEO cooperation with other countries, such as capacity-building, data sharing, eco-environment, disaster monitoring and climate change observing,” the minister assured.

ITRealms recalls that the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is comprised of some 100 member states, including the European Commission, and 92 Participating Organizations, whereas GEO strives to improve the world’s observation systems and provide policy makers and scientists with accurate and useful data that could be used to make informed decisions.

GEO’s primary focus is to develop a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) to enhance the ability of end-users to discover and access Earth observation data and convert it to useable and useful information.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +ITRealms DSA  +Nnenna Nwakanma +Open Data Center Alliance 
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China has forerunner ability on future technologies - Gambardella

ITRealms:

 

The President of ChinaEU, Luigi Gambardella, has expressed confidence in China’s ability to become a forerunner of technologies of the future, ITRealms reports.

He explained that based on recent estimations, the creation of Industry 4.0, a concept originally conceived by Germany and now integrated by many European countries, could generate 500 EU billion, about N112.8 trillion of value added per year to the European manufacturing industry and create more than 6 million jobs across the EU. Pointing out that the objective would be negated if each nation alone develops its own Industry 4.0 strategy without considering what the other countries are doing.

“The 5G revolution, to be successful, must be global. To be credible, 5G needs a critical mass and this can only be achieved if standards are truly global. International cooperation is a priority and is required in three areas: spectrum, standards, and timing” he said.

Gambardella was quoted in a press statement sighted by ITRealms as saying, “China and Europe can have a leading role in setting the vision and the international standards of 5G and I hope to see the finalization of a EU-China joint agreement on 5G common research and development at the end of September, during the visit of Commissioner Oettinger in Beijing.”

ChinaEU is a business-led International Association aimed at intensifying joint research and business cooperation and mutual investments in Internet, Telecom and Hi-tech between China and Europe. ChinaEU provides a platform for constructive dialogue among industry leaders and top-level representatives of European Institutions and the Chinese Government. 

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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Obama’s trip motivated by Beijing’s Africa ties

 ITRealms

China, a dominant power in Asian economy, has said that the just concluded President Barack Obama’s visit to Africa was motivated by America’s concern over Beijing’s expanding ties on the continent, ITRealms reports.

Beijing’s state media said America "obviously lacks a consistent Africa policy” and sees China as a competitor rather than designing “a constructive power to bring welfare to the land," ITRealms reports a recent publication in the English-language Global Times.

"The U.S. used to be a dominant power in Africa, a change of position has touched the nerves of the U.S," the report said.

According to Xinhua citing Les EchosFrance, the United States’ $7 billion about N1.39 trillion Power Africa project to provide 50 million Africans with electricity had made little progress since it was unveiled in June 2013.

But a senior White House official, ITRealms learnt, said that the United States is building on "decades of development relationships" in Africa, where it has supported public health, food security and, especially now, the empowerment of Africans to create their own growth, their own job creation."
As for the United States' relationship with Africa, he said, "We're not just in it for a set of natural resources; we're here to build African capacity. And that type of partnership over the long run I think does distinguish the United States. It's something that we bring uniquely to bear." 

The Asian powerhouse, ITRealms gathered, has doubled its financing commitments to Africa at each of the last three forum meetings and it’s expected to bolster them with "another impressive line of credit," according to a report from African Growth Initiative, a project of the Brookings Institution in Washington. China's commitments rose from $billion in 2006 to $10 billion about N1.98 trillion in 2009 and $20 billion about N3.97trillion in 2012. It extended its credit line to Africa by another $10 billion last year. 

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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2015 Fastest Ford Mustang, boost 2,200 orders already

ITRealms

Ford Motor Company has received  more than 2,200 orders for the 2015 all-new fastest accelerating high-volume Ford Mustang 5.0-litre, ever offered in Europe with V8 sprints (0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.8 seconds, ITRealms reports.

The sixth generation Mustang ITRealms gathered was unveiled on December 5, 2013, in Dearborn, Michigan, New York, Los Angeles, California; Barcelona, Spain, Shanghai, China; and Sydney, Australia.

ITRealms learnt that the 2015 Mustang features a new Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) system, developed specifically for the new model.

The Mustang ITRealms also gathered has attractive features which, differentiates it from the fifth generation Mustang 2005-2014. Notable of these features are widened body by 1.5 inches, 1.4 inches lower body, trapezoidal grille, and a 2.75-inch lower decklid, as well as new colors.

The passenger volume is increased to 84.5 cubic feet, and there are three engines: 2.3 L EcoBoost 310 hp four-cylinder, 3.7 L 300 hp V6, or 5.0 L Coyote 435 hp V8, with either a Getrag six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

With these features, ITRealms gathered that more than 2,200 customers in Europe have ordered the new Mustang fastback and convertible, which are set to reach dealerships in continental Europe from July and the U.K. from October.

ITRealms learnt that Hermann Salenbauch, Mustang vehicle line director, also confirmed the fast accelerating high-volume of the car. “The new Ford Mustang will be wickedly fast off the line and throw you back in your seat with a thrilling engine soundtrack”, he said.

“But Mustang isn’t just fast in a straight line. The ride and handling will be a revelation for European drivers.” He added.

The all-new Ford Mustang’s high performance engines ITRealms learnt are supported by a standard performance pack that delivers up rated brakes and cooling for high-speed driving. With her sophisticated chassis, body structure, and advanced technology, as learnt, it also helps optimize driving dynamics to deliver the sporty experience Ford Mustang customers demand.

ITRealms gathered that Ford Motor Company is a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, with Michigan manufactures distributing automobiles across six continents and has now made the Mustang available in Nigeria through its Ford dealerships centres.

Daniel Nsolibe/GEE

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