By Othuke Evroh
The China Cultural Centre in Abuja, in collaboration with Drum Majors for Peace, organized a grand event celebrating China-Nigeria friendship, with the theme “Good partners of China and Africa …A New Year Gala Celebrating China-Nigeria Friendship with Open Hearts and Shared Joy”.
The event which took place on Saturday, December 21, at the China Cultural Centre, was aimed at celebrating the 2025 New Year and the exceptional friendship between the two nations in 2024.
The celebration was graced by distinguished personalities from both countries including; Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of CCCNIG in Nigeria, Mr. Zang Zhichen, President, China General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman CCECC Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Nsikan Paul, Executive Director of Drum Majors for Peace, Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mr. Cui Guangzhen, DG, China General Chamber of Commerce, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations and Mr. Zheng Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO, Africa China News.
Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of CCCNIG in Nigeria delivered the opening speech, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral relations.
“We are holding this New Year’s event today to celebrate the extraordinary 2024, to welcome the hopeful 2025 and to celebrate the friendship between us”, he said.
“In order to implement the consensus reached at the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, the Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Centre have organised a variety of cultural exchange activities. Through these activities, we have enhanced our Nigerian friends’ understanding of Chinese culture and also deepened our understanding of Nigerian culture”, the counselor declared.
Mr. Nsikan Paul, Executive Director of Drum Majors for Peace while delivering his remark at the event, stated that the gathering was a celebration of unity, harmony and an unweavery partnership between China and Africa, particularly Nigeria.
“It is a testament of what we can achieve when hearts are opened and hands are joined across borders to build a world rooted in peace, tolerance and inclusivity”, he said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa also spoke at the event, emphasizing on Nigeria-China relationship since 1971 and the significance of cultural diplomacy in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation.
“Being the minister that sits on top of culture, tourism and creative industry, it is very important for me to see how we can key-in to the bilateral relationship that the Nigerian government has already set with the Chinese government”, the Honourable Minister declared.
The minister also noted that: “when you talk of culture, nobody does it better than the Chinese and for us in Nigeria, culture is a real estate, culture is a lot of wealth. We want to see how we can turn our culture into value that will add growth to this nation. I am looking forward to coming to China so that we can explore all the different ways we can expand this partnership process that we are going through. It is better days ahead”, she said.
The event also featured several cultural performances, showcasing the rich endowment of both countries.
