*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu engages Nigerians resident in China, assuring the citizens that a key takeaway from his visit to the Asian country is his avowed commitment to replicate China鈥檚 quality infrastructure back home in Nigeria

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Friday, September 6, 2024, rounded off his official engagements in Beijing, China, with a meeting with Nigerians living in the Asian country.

Tinubu described his recent visit to China as “very good and successful”, says The Presidency.

Earlier, the Nigerian leader had addressed members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel in the country.

Speaking at engagement with Nigerians resident in China, President Tinubu emphasised his efforts at strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy and mining during his discussions with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and his participation in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential Spokesman, Friday stated President Tinubu said: “What is uppermost in my mind is for you to continue representing Nigeria as good citizens, and I urge you all to be good ambassadors of our nation in China.

“We will always celebrate our diversity. We cherish it, but this diversity is our commitment to serve.

“If it is about service, we must be good citizens.”

The President also emphasised the importance of discipline and commitment to national service, citing China鈥檚 disciplined society as an example for Nigerians to follow.

Nigerians can emulate China in discipline, commitment to national ideals, says President

Stressing the strategic importance of discipline and commitment in building a progressive country and economy, President Tinubu stated: “I cannot tell you more, except from the embassy, that China is a very disciplined society and we have to be disciplined, too. “Without discipline and commitment, we cannot build a nation that is respected everywhere in the world,” stated he.

The President further noted: “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.”

How BoI can support you to leverage opportunities in Nigeria

Highlighting the visible impact of investments in China’s economy, President Tinubu assured Nigerians in the Diaspora that the West African country’s Bank of Industry (BoI) is prepared to collaborate with them to leverage opportunities back home.

He further said: “Nigeria is going through reforms, and we are taking very bold and unprecedented decisions.

“For example, you might have been hearing from home in the last few days about fuel prices.”

The President stated: “But, can we help it? Can we develop good roads like you have here? You see electricity being constant in quantity and quality. “You see water supply, constant and running, and you see their good schools.

“And we say we want to hand over a banner without stain to our children?”

He asked: “What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?

“So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin.”

“It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people.

The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development.”

The statement also noted that President Tinubu, to the applause of the audience, affirmed one key takeaway from his visit to China is the commitment to replicate China鈥檚 infrastructure back home.

He 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.”

The President noted that while it is not always easy for a leader to have a national consensus on ….

We are focused, and I have a very good team,” President Tinubu added.

In his remarks, Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening Nigeria-China relations, particularly in trade, investment, and people-to-people collaboration.

Dr. Barnabas expressed NIDO China’s support for Nigeria’s 4Ds initiative, launched by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, earlier in the year.

The NIDO China Chief also pledged that the organisation is eager to drive the initiative forward within the Diaspora community.

He requested President Tinubu鈥檚 assistance in advocacy for Nigeria to be officially recognised as a native English-speaking nation, which would open up job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in China.

”Your Excellency, I wish to indulge your kind attention and use this rare opportunity to share a key challenge on behalf of the Nigeria community in China.

“Due to the peculiar nature of this country, the Nigerian community is mainly composed of students, expatriates, and businessmen,” he stated.

Barnabas further stated: ”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.”

The President of NIDO China said: “Presently, over 70 percent 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.”

He noted: ”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.”

The President of NIDO China pledged that the organisation would continue to contribute their expertise and resources to support President Tinubu鈥檚 administration, and efforts at elevating Nigeria鈥檚 global standing.

Kindly Share This Story