Nation
Minister Urges Signing Of MoU On Tourism Promotion With China
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has appealed for the signing of two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and China on tourism promotion.
The minister made the appeal yesterday in Abuja when the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Chui Jian Chun paid him a courtesy visit.
According to the minister, the two MoU between both countries are on the Facilitation of Group Travels by Chinese Tourists to Nigeria and Travel Facilitation through the Approved Destination Status (ADS).
“Though the two MoU date back to 2019, they have not been signed.
“It is important that our two countries work together to negotiate and sign these MoU to promote tourism between them,’’ he said.
Mohammed said that the relations between Nigeria and China span about five decades and the visit by the Envoy would further strengthen the very cordial relations.
On the deep cooperation between both countries in the area of culture and tourism, Mohammed said Nigeria and China established Cultural Centres in Abuja and Beijing respectively.
He said in spite financial constraints which led to a temporary closure of Nigeria centre in Beijing, the country had enjoyed cultural exchanges and training from the Chinese Government.
“In tourism, Nigeria and China signed a bilateral Agreement in 2002 to encourage cooperation in the field of tourism between both countries.
“The Agreement focused mainly on exchange programmes, human capacity building, joint marketing and investment.
“Though some of our officers have received short training on tourism in China and online, the dearth of skilled manpower in the tourism sector here has made it imperative for us to seek more advance capacity building.
“We also seek scholarship programme in Tourism Statistics and Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), tourism development, product development, etc., from the Chinese government,’’ he said.
Outside bilateral cooperation on culture and tourism, Mohammed said China had been a worthy ally of Nigeria in the building and upgrading of infrastructure, especially in roads, railways, power and aviation.
Mohammed appealed to the Envoy to use his good offices to fast-track the evaluation and approval process of a 500-million-dollar loan being sought from the China Export-Import Bank for three major projects.
The projects, according to the minister included the digitisation of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and the construction of a headquarters complex and transmission network for Integrated Television Services (ITS).
He said the loan was also to be used for the construction of an ultra-modern Media City in Ikorodu, Lagos state.
For his part, the Chinese Ambassador recalled that his country and Nigeria celebrated 50-year anniversary of robust, healthy and beneficial bilateral relations in 2021.
He said he was willing to consolidate and build more on cordial relations between the two countries, particularly in the areas of culture and tourism.
The Envoy, therefore, presented a document to the minister on his strategy to further strengthen the cordial relations between both countries which he termed “Growth, Development, Progress document’’.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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