From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
For demonstrating how a robust legislative framework can serve as an instrument for national development, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has said the House of Representatives will partner with the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China on national development.
The collaboration which would be fostered through the China-Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group, according to Abbas, aims to explore various areas for collaboration and cooperation, focusing on sectors such as trade, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange.
The Speaker also said by learning from China’s experience in leveraging its legislature for national advancement, Nigerians can better position themselves to address the challenges facing the own country.
Speaking during the reception for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja, Abbas acknowledged the deepening relationship between Nigeria and China, a partnership he said, was built on mutual respect and shared aspirations.
Abbas noted that Nigeria and China have enjoyed fruitful cooperation across various sectors, including trade, education, health care, and infrastructure development.
He stated that the support that China has extended towards Nigeria’s infrastructural projects has been invaluable, adding that initiatives such as the construction of railways and roads have not only enhanced connectivity within Nigeria, but have also fostered economic growth and job creation.
Abbas said: “The recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held a few weeks ago stands as a beacon of hope for our continued collaboration. The agreements reached during this forum with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signify a renewed commitment to strengthening our bilateral ties. These agreements will pave the way for further investments in critical areas such as energy production and technology transfer – areas that are vital for Nigeria’s sustainable development. The National Assembly would deploy the necessary legislative framework to support the implementation of these agreements.
“The National People’s Congress (NPC) has demonstrated how a robust legislative framework can serve as an instrument for national development. By fostering a collaborative relationship with this esteemed body, we can exchange ideas and best practices that will enhance our own legislative processes. The success story of China is not merely one of economic prowess; it is also a testament to the power of effective governance and legislative action in driving national progress.
“In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the House of Representatives will be actively engaging through our China-Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group. This initiative aims to explore various areas for collaboration and cooperation, focusing on sectors such as trade, technology transfer, infrastructure development, and cultural exchange. By learning from China’s experience in leveraging its legislature for national advancement, we can better position ourselves to address the challenges facing our own country.”
While reaffirming the commitment to enhancing cooperation between Nigeria and China, Abbas further said it was imperative that both parliaments work hand-in-hand to address common challenges, while seizing opportunities for growth that benefit both nations.
Earlier, Abbas said the occasion not only marked a momentous achievement for China, but also served as an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable progress that China, a great nation, has made over the decades.
Abbas also said since its founding in 1949, China has undergone transformative changes that have propelled it into a position of global prominence.
“The strides made in economic development, technological innovation, and social progress are nothing short of extraordinary. From being a largely agrarian society to becoming the second-largest economy in the world. Indeed, China’s journey is a testament to resilience and visionary leadership.
“Today’s gathering reminds us of the greatness of China as a fast-developing giant nation, a global change-maker, prominent for its intensifying influence in the globalized world. It is a celebration of China’s enormous contributions to the socio-economic development of the world and its worthy accomplishments in global high-tech advancement. We are therefore proud to rejoice and associate with the People’s Republic of China at this fascinating period of national commemorative ceremonies,” Abbas stated.
In his remarks, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, expressed appreciation to those who have been caring for and supporting China’s modernization and China-Nigeria friendship over the years.
Yu said it was a great honour to serve as the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, saying that over the past one month, brief as it may seem, he already fell in love with Nigeria, a land of warmth.
“I first came to know Nigeria through the Super Eagles, the Nigeria National football team, which won the gold medal in 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. At that time, I was a university student and I never dreamed that I could become China’s Ambassador to this great country, yet here I am. I look forward to working with people from all walks of life to promote our bilateral relations to a new height,” Yu said.
Yu further said over the past 75 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese nation has forged ahead in unity and has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing upright to becoming prosperous and growing in strength.
“Especially over the past decade, the CPC has rallied and led the entire Chinese nation to win the largest battle against poverty in human history. Each year, an average of 10 million people were lifted out of poverty, which is equivalent to the population of a medium-sized country. At present, nearly 100 million Chinese people in total have shaken off poverty. China has accomplished the historic mission of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
“Over the past 75 years, China has witnessed profound and transformative changes. The living standards of Chinese people have grown from bare subsistence to moderate prosperity, while China has moved from weakness and poverty to strength and prosperity, achieving the twin miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability in human history. Between 2013 and 2023, China contributed over 30 percent on average to global economic growth, making it the largest driving force for the world economy.
“At present, the Chinese people have embarked on the new journey toward the Second Centenary Goal, which is, by 2049, to build our country into a great modern socialist country in all respects that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, and to pursue the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization,” Yu also said.
Yu further said since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971, China and Nigeria have been enjoying a long-standing friendship, with strengthened high-level engagements, consolidated political mutual trust, deepened people-to-people exchanges, and fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation.
“China-Nigeria high-level relations always stand at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation. Nigeria remains China’s largest project contracting market, the second largest export market, third largest trading partner, and a major investment destination in Africa. In 2023, bilateral trade between our two countries reached $22.5 billion. Our practical cooperation has achieved fruitful results in areas such as infrastructure, investment, trade, agriculture and green economy, covering projects for the aviation, on the land and in the sea. The projects have brought tangible benefits to both Chinese and Nigerian people, and provided concrete support for Nigeria’s social and economic development,” the Chinese Envoy stated.