Economy

Osun Emerges New Investment Hub for China

By Web News 330

By ‎Funmi Ojo

A delegation of Chinese investors from mainland China and Hong Kong has commended the Osun State Government for rapid and impressive infrastructural development across the state, which has positioned Osun as an emerging hub for industrialisation and economic growth.

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‎The investors, which cut across sectors, including food and water processing, mining, electric vehicles and agro-equipment manufacturing, gave the commendation during a dinner hosted in their honour at the Government House, Osogbo.

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‎Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the team leader and Chief Executive Officer of Yuanfar International, Ms. Nancy Chi, said the scale of ongoing road and urban infrastructure projects in Osun was already changing the perception of the state among Chinese business communities.

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‎Ms. Chi noted that while Chinese investors traditionally favoured Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, Osun was fast gaining prominence as a viable investment destination due to improved infrastructure, peace and deliberate government support for investors.

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‎She disclosed that members of the delegation were interested in establishing operations within the Osun Free Trade Zone and other parts of the state, adding that the Hong Kong government, through its investment agency, would soon invite Governor Ademola Adeleke for an official visit, with a reciprocal visit to Osun planned for 2026.

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‎Also addressing the gathering, the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adesuyi Haastrup, revealed that the investors were considering Ilesa and other parts of Osun for the establishment of industrial plants, including proposals for a China Town, a computer village and solar-powered tricycle manufacturing facilities.

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‎In his remarks, Governor Adeleke thanked the Chinese delegation for their positive appraisal of his administration, reiterating his government’s resolve to close Osun’s long-standing infrastructure gap and create a business-friendly environment.

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‎The Governor further announced that accreditation had been secured for the study of the Chinese language at the University of Ilesa, describing the move as part of deliberate efforts to deepen economic ties with Asia.

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Foreign

Hong Kong Commences Investigation into Complex Fire

By Web News 198

Authorities have begun investigating what sparked the disastrous blaze, including the presence of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the structures as part of construction work.

Hong Kong firefighters were scouring scorched high-rises Thursday for over 250 people listed as missing, a day after the financial hub’s worst blaze in decades killed at least 55 in an apartment complex.

Over 24 hours after fire broke out in the eight-building housing estate with 2,000 units, flames were still visible in some windows as crews sprayed water on the blackened exteriors.

Authorities have begun investigating what sparked the disastrous blaze, including the presence of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the structures as part of construction work.

Hong Kong’s anti-corruption body said it has launched a probe into renovation work at a housing complex, hours after police said they arrested three men on suspicion of negligently leaving foam packaging at the fire site.

The intense flames in four of the eight apartment blocks were finally extinguished and the fires in three others were under control, officials said Thursday afternoon. One building was not affected.

Multiple residents of Wang Fuk Court, located in Hong Kong’s northern district of Tai Po, told AFP that they did not hear any fire alarm and had to go door-to-door to alert neighbours to the danger.

“The fire spread so quickly. I saw one hose trying to save several buildings, and I felt it was far too slow,” said a man surnamed Suen.

“Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbours, telling them to leave — that’s what the situation was like,” added.

Crowds moved by the tragedy gathered near the complex to organise aid for displaced residents and firefighters, part of a spontaneous effort in a city that has some of the world’s most densely populated and tallest residential blocks.

“It’s truly touching. The spirit of Hong Kong people is that when one is in trouble, everyone lends support… It shows that Hong Kong people are full of love,” said Stone Ngai, 38, one of the organisers of an impromptu aid station.

But the toll continues to increase and fire service officials told reporters that 51 victims lost their lives at the scene, while four died in hospital.

Hong Kong authorities will immediately inspect all housing estates undergoing major works following the disaster, the city’s leader John Lee said.

Channelstv / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Sport

Outbursts after Messi Stays on Bench in Hong Kong But Plays in Japan

By Web News 507

Lionel Messi played in a Japan friendly after missing a match in Hong Kong, leaving Chinese fans seething and sparking conspiracy theories.

State media outlet Global Times accused Messi and his club Inter Miami of “political motives” with the aim to “embarrass” Hong Kong.

Messi remained on the bench throughout Sunday’s match in the Chinese Special Administrative Region, citing injury.

He played in Tokyo on Wednesday, leading some fans to question his condition.

Some 38,000 fans at the Hong Kong Stadium booed and demanded refunds when Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham addressed the crowd at the end of Sunday’s match. They had paid up to HK$4,880 (£494; $624) to watch the 36-year-old Argentine superstar.

Just last year, Messi received a rock star welcome in Beijing when he played for his country in a friendly against Australia. Some 68,000 fans paid up to $680 for the chance to see him in action. He is also a spokesperson for big Chinese brands such as Huawei, Chery, Tencent, Mengniu, Chishui River Wine and J&T Express.

Kevin Yeung, Hong Kong’s secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said government officials were repeatedly told that Messi would play. But with 10 minutes left in the match, they were informed that a hamstring adductor injury would prevent him from playing.

“We immediately requested them to explore other remedies, such as Messi appearing on the field to interact with his fans and receiving the trophy,” Yeung said.

“Unfortunately, as you all see, this did not work out.”

The territory’s chief executive John Lee said he was extremely disappointed by Messi’s absence and called for an explanation from match organisers.

Other officials like Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip also reacted with fury, claiming that “Hong Kong people hate Messi, Inter-Miami, and the black hand behind them” for the “deliberate and calculated snub”.

“Messi should never be allowed to return to Hong Kong. His lies and hypocrisy are disgusting,” she added.

Match organiser Tatler Asia said in a statement that Messi had been contracted to play, unless injured. It added that it was withdrawing its application for a HK$16m government grant. The match had been designated as a major sporting event, which enabled the organisers to tap government funding.

On the same day as the Japan friendly, Messi said on the Chinese social media network Weibo that he “regretted” being unable to play in Hong Kong due to a “swollen and painful” groin injury. “I hope that one day we will have the opportunity to come back and give our best to our fans and friends in Hong Kong,” he added.

The post has attracted some 142,000 comments. While some were supportive, many reacted angrily, with some calling the Argentine a “conman” and “garbage”. Others accused the Argentine of only wanting to make money off Chinese fans while pandering to the Japanese.

“No need to apologise, just don’t come to China again. Just because you play football well does not mean you are a good person,” one netizen said.

BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Foreign

Flood Ravages Hong Kong, China Following Record Rains

By Web News 402

Hong Kong and Southern Chinese cities are battling widespread flooding as the region endures some of its heaviest rainfall on record.

On Friday, streets and subway stations were underwater in Hong Kong as officials shut schools and workplaces.

The weather bureau said the downpour, which began on Thursday, is the biggest to hit the city in nearly 140 years.

Emergency services said more than 100 people had been taken to hospital and several rescues had taken place.

Pictures from the city on Thursday night showed the torrential rain turning streets into raging rivers, flooding shopping centres and public transport.

Videos on social media showed people climbing onto cars and other elevated platforms to escape the waters, which have risen several metres-high in some areas, blocking off subway entrances.

The city’s cross harbour tunnel, a key route connecting the main island to the Kowloon peninsula in its north, was inundated. The rain also triggered landslides in Hong Kong’s mountainous areas – blocking some highways.

By Friday afternoon, the downpours had somewhat eased with authorities downgrading the rainstorm from a “black” warning to “amber” alert. But they warned showers were expected to persist until Saturday.

On Thursday, authorities had issued the black warning, which is triggered when rainfall exceeds 70mm an hour. The Hong Kong Observatory later that night reported an hourly rainfall of 158.1 millimetres, the highest since records began in 1884.

On Thursday night, Shenzhen discharged water from its reservoirs after issuing a notice to Hong Kong, an action that raised questions from Hong Kong locals online as to whether this exacerbated their city’s flooding.

But Hong Kong’s security chief, Chris Tang said on Friday the discharge had no impact on the city’s floods and the action was safe for both Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

China’s meteorological administration expects extreme rainfall to continue in the country’s southwestern region on Friday and Saturday.

BBC / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Foreign

Largest National Security Trial underway in Hong Kong

By Web News 383

The trial for the largest national security case in Hong Kong has begun, with some 47 people accused of “subversion” for holding an unofficial primary election.

They include some of the city’s most prominent pro-democracy figures, such as activists, Joshua Wong and Benny Tai.

Most of them have been detained for the past two years on security grounds.

Critics say the city’s controversial national security law is used as a tool to crush dissent.

But Chinese and Hong Kong authorities maintain it is needed to curb unrest.

BBC / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Feature

China to Reopen Borders with Hong Kong, Macau

By Web News 498

China says it will fully restore travel across its borders with Hong Kong and Macau next week, dropping Covid testing requirements and daily quotas after a lengthy pandemic separation.

The semi-autonomous cities have both stuck to Beijing’s zero-COVID strategy for nearly three years, splitting families, cutting off tourism and suffocating businesses.

The State Council’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said on Friday that all remaining restrictions would be dropped starting midnight on February 6, with group tours allowed to resume.

Limited travel across the border between Hong Kong and mainland China resumed in January after Beijing abruptly axed its isolationist policy.

Initially, only 60,000 people were allowed to cross each day in either direction and they were required to show a negative PCR test.

Hong Kong leader John Lee said on Friday that the partial reopening had been “orderly, safe and smooth”.

Hong Kong’s lengthy separation from its biggest source of growth inflicted a heavy toll, with some estimating it cost the financial hub $27 billion.

Mainlanders have long made up the vast majority of visitors to Hong Kong, with around 51 million arriving in 2018, nearly seven times the city’s population.

City officials are hoping an influx of visitors will revitalise the recession-hit economy, injecting cash into the once-vibrant tourism and retail sectors.

Unvaccinated overseas travellers will be allowed to visit Hong Kong starting Monday, but Lee said pre-arrival rapid antigen tests will still be required.

“As the full reopening of the border with mainland China will bring a large surge in travel, to ensure risks are manageable we will keep the testing requirement for overseas travellers for a period of observation,” he said.

The full relaunch of travel with the mainland comes a day after Lee rolled out a rebranding campaign to woo overseas tourists, pledging more than half a million free flights and “no isolation, no quarantine and no restrictions”.

Outdoor masking remains compulsory in Hong Kong, though Lee has said the policy could be scrapped after the winter flu surge.

AFP / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Health

Oyo NMA Chairman Calls for Calm as Nigeria Records 1st Case of Covid 19

By Web News 1167

The Chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Oyo State, Dr Akin Sodipo has urged members of the public to remain calm but maintain basic personal hygiene practices as the first case of COVID 19 also known as Coronavirus is recorded.

The case was of an Italian citizen who was in Nigeria for a brief business visit but fell ill and was taken to Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.

Dr Sodipo in an Interview with Radio Nigeria advised people to wash their hands with soap and water, use alcohol-based sanitizer, and avoid crowded places while people coughing or sneezing should stay indoors until they are better.

He urged medical practitioners and other health workers to be vigilant at this point and adopt safety measures such as wearing of face masks and gloves and prompt isolation of patients with symptoms of the disease to prevent spread.

Dr Sodipo assured residents that no case of COVID 19 has been confirmed in Oyo state but that the government was intensifying efforts to contain any outbreak of the virus.

Globally, more than eighty thousand people in about fifty countries have been infected while up to two thousand eight hundred have died.

Many countries are taking actions to prevent spread.

For instance, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Iraq have ordered schools closed while Saudi Arabia has halted travel to Mecca and Medina for this year’s Humrah.

Back home in Nigeria, a multi-sectoral Coronavirus preparedness group led by Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has activated its operations centre which will work closely with Lagos State health authorities to respond quickly to any case.

Anthonia Akanji

Foreign

Hong Kong Bookseller Gui Minhai Bags 10 Years Jail-Term

By Web News 698

A Hong Kong bookseller, Mr. Gui Minhai has been sentenced to 10 years in jail by a Chinese court has sentenced for “illegally providing intelligence overseas”.

Mr. Gui, who holds Swedish citizenship, has been in and out of Chinese detention since 2015 when he went missing during a holiday in Thailand.

He is known to have previously published books on the personal lives of Chinese Communist Party members.

In delivering its verdict, the Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court said Mr. Gui’s Chinese citizenship had been reinstated in 2018 and that China does not recognise dual citizenship.

Sweden’s foreign minister has called for Mr. Gui’s release, referring to him as a “citizen”.

The human rights group, Amnesty International also called for Mr. Gui to be released immediately, saying the charges were “completely unsubstantiated”.

Mr. Gui was one of five owners of a small bookstore in Hong Kong who went missing in 2015 but it later emerged that they had been taken to China.

Four were later freed, but Mr. Gui remained in Chinese detention.

BBC