President Bola Tinubu told Nigerians living in China that his administration would deliver good governance and promised to replicate all the good things China has achieved for its people.
He spoke Friday, September 6, in Beijing at a meeting with representatives of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel.
The meeting was President Tinubu’s last official engagement before departing the country for London, United Kingdom via Dubai.
President Tinubu described his official visit to China as “very good and successful.”
He spoke about his efforts to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy and mining during his bilateral discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
President Tinubu also led the Nigerian team to participate in the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“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.
“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?
“What is the critical part to get us there if we cannot make 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 President said.
To the applause of the audience, President Tinubu stated that one key takeaway from his visit to China is the commitment to replicate China’s infrastructure back home.
“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 stated.
The President noted that while it is not always easy for a leader to have a national consensus on issues, he is ready to take the hard decisions to move the nation forward.
“We are focused, and I have a very good team,” President Tinubu said.
Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, requested President Tinubu’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be officially recognized by China as a native English-speaking nation.
He said this would open up job and educational opportunities for Nigerians in China.
