President Bola Tinubu has declared his administration’s readiness to replicate China’s infrastructure in Nigeria.
Tinubu, who described his visit to China as “very good and successful”, stated that one key takeaway from his stay is the commitment to reproducing China’s infrastructure in Nigeria.
The president participated at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in China.
Addressing members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel in Beijing on Friday, September 6, 2024, the president said: “We want our children to be in good schools, not tattered huts and dilapidated buildings. We must make our teaching innovative and allow businesses of all kinds and sizes to flourish.
“One economic action leads to another, and it is in your hands to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that.”
Tinubu also emphasised the importance of discipline and commitment to national service, citing China’s disciplined society as an example for Nigerians to follow.
He noted that while it is not always easy for a leader to reach a national consensus on issues, he is ready to make the hard decisions to move Nigeria forward.
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“We are focused, and I have a very good team,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.
In his remarks, the President of NIDO China, Dr. Oche Barnabas, commended Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations, particularly in trade, investment, and people-to-people collaboration.
Barnabas requested Tinubu’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be officially recognised as a native English-speaking nation, which he said would open up job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in China.
He said: “Your Excellency, I wish to indulge your kind attention and use this rare opportunity to share a key challenge on behalf of the Nigerian community in China. Due to the peculiar nature of this country, the Nigerian community is mainly composed of students, expatriates, and businessmen.
“Our desire is that Nigeria is officially recognised as a native English-speaking nation in China. We believe your esteemed engagements with the high-level authorities can assist us in establishing this status.
“Presently, over 70 per cent of available international jobs in China are reserved for native English speakers. In 2016, the local authorities listed South Africa as a native English-speaking nation.
“We believe Nigeria has a chance to receive similar recognition due to the fact that English language is our official language and we are also blessed with Professor Wole Soyinka who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
“We believe the enhancement of our status will open more opportunities to allow more Nigerians to study and work in China, thereby increasing diaspora remittance to Nigeria.”
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