‘I have a very good team’ – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has lauded his official visit to China, describing it as highly successful.
Addressing members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) and the Nigerian community in China at the China World Hotel, Beijing, the President shared details of his engagements, which focused on strengthening cooperation between Nigeria and China in various sectors.
Speaking on the achievements of his visit, Tinubu said discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang centered around key areas like infrastructure development, trade, finance, energy, green economy, and mining.
His participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) further solidified these ties.
“I have a very good team,” Tinubu said, highlighting the importance of collaboration and teamwork in achieving national goals.
He urged Nigerians in China to be good ambassadors of their country, emphasizing discipline, commitment to national service, and the need to follow local laws.
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“We must exploit our diversity and be ready to do everything required of us within the laws of the communities that we live in and reflect a good image of our country,” the President stated.
Leveraging Opportunities for Nigeria’s Development
President Tinubu assured the diaspora community that Nigeria’s Bank of Industry is prepared to collaborate with them in order to capitalise on opportunities back home.
He acknowledged the bold and unprecedented reforms currently underway in Nigeria, citing the recent increase in fuel prices as part of necessary steps to improve the nation’s infrastructure and economy.
Tinubu expressed admiration for China’s constant electricity, clean water supply, and high-quality schools, and pledged to replicate similar developments in Nigeria.
“We must make our teaching innovative and allow businesses of all kinds and sizes to flourish,” he stated, adding that hard decisions are needed for meaningful progress.
The President also stressed that while it may be difficult to reach a national consensus on major issues, his administration remains focused on making decisions that will lead Nigeria toward development. “We are focused, and I have a very good team,” he reiterated.
NIDO’s Plea for Nigeria to be Recognised as a Native English-Speaking Country
During the meeting, Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, commended President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening relations between Nigeria and China, particularly in trade and investment.
He also expressed NIDO’s support for Nigeria’s 4Ds initiative, introduced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.
Barnabas requested Tinubu’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be officially recognized as a native English-speaking nation by Chinese authorities. This status, he explained, would open up job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in China, similar to the recognition granted to South Africa in 2016.
“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,” Barnabas said.
President Tinubu, in response, acknowledged the importance of such initiatives and promised that his administration would continue to push for Nigeria’s growth on the global stage.
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