As President Bola Tinubu visits China for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting, a former Coordinator of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDO), Guangdong Province, China, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, has urged him to prioritises trade, investment and welfare of Nigerians living in China in his engagements to ensure both countries benefit from their bilateral relations.
He also identified other areas that require the President’s attention including education, employment , and plight of Nigerians detained for suspected offences.
Mbisiogu, who briefed newsmen in Lagos ahead of the visit, said it is important the President discusses these key issues considering how strategic China is to Nigeria’s efforts at developing its infrastructure and growing its economy.
He further commended the Chinese authorities for providing conducive atmosphere for Nigerians citizens residents in China to do their business.
The Board of Trustees, BoT, member of NIDO in China, however, urged Tinubu to plead with Chinese authorities to allow Nigerians who attended school in China to secure employment and remain after their studies.
He specified that Chinese authorities have ensured that there are no immigration issues with Nigerians living or visiting the country.
He explained that Nigeria isn’t recognized as an English-speaking nation in China unlike Kenya and South Africa, noting such a situation should be addressed.
He said:”Our President’s visit to China is coming at a very auspicious time given the efforts of the Tinubu administration in fixing the economy. However, as stakeholder, may I bring some key areas the President should also consider in his engagements during the visit. A lot of Nigerians are schooling in China and some wish to remain and work in the country after their studies. So, they want the President to help out this area so they can realise their dreams in the country. Another issue of note is that countries like South Africa and Kenya are categorized as English-speaking countries while Nigeria didn’t make that category. This hasn’t helped Nigerians in any way, so our people are pleading that Nigeria is included in its rightful place. We are an English-speaking nation.
“Another issue that Nigerians in China need the President’s intervention is the aspect of Nigerians who are detained for several offences in China.