By Becky Adi
Former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (GCFR) has expressed happiness for the role his administration played in establishing diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria while thanking succeeding governments for expanding the areas of agreements over the years to what it is today.
The former head of state spoke as a special guest at the forum “China-Nigeria relations at 50: reflections and the way forward, as part of activities to celebrate hchina Nigeria at 50.
Going back memory lane General Yakubu Gowon recalled the role played by Nigeria to ensure the admittance of China into the United Nation which he said earned Nigeria a state visit to China in 1974. “ it was a most successful visit that firmly established the bilateral relationship between our two countries. It included a rare state visit to Chairman Mao at his home by the Nigerian delegation lead by me, my wife Victoria, the foreign Minister Dr. Aripo, the Permanent Secretary and Nigeria first Ambassador to China, His Excellency, Aminu Sanusi. We ended the visit signing a number of agreements in agriculture, trade and communications etc. succeeding generations/governments expanded the areas of agreement to what it is today” He said.
He expressed delight being a part of the of China-Nigeria relations and congratulated the Chinese leadership for the monumental progress the country has made in the last fifty years.
Nigeria and China should complement each other—NIPC Chairman
In a remark by Hon. Babangida Nguroje , Chairman governing council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), said Nigeria and China share numerous similarities like independence date, a huge population and abundant natural resources across and as such should complement each other.
He called on both countries to compliment efforts and drive inclusiveness, noting that it was pertinent that China ignites its big brother role to Nigeria and drive the economic and industrial revolution needed for the largest black nation.
“ Nigeria needs China to bring on board beneficial and impactful investments that will support the women and the large numbers of youths in Nigeria. Because any nation that invests in women and youth will turn around the fortune of the country and further improve the lives of its community” he said.
He noted that the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) has for more than 11 years visited China on yearly visits on investment drives “These visits strategically positioned Nigeria to the Chinese investing community. We need to work together with relevant agencies in Nigeria and China to harness more mutually beneficial investment forums that will be impactful to our growth and development”
He observed that China was a top investor in Africa and in particular Nigeria, which is its number one FDI interest.
Others areas he listed in the growing economic relationships between the two countries included growing trade volume of imports and exports . “China is Number 1 importer to Nigeria (US$12bn as at 2019) and number 9 exporter from Nigeria (US$1.6bn as at 2019)” among other economic cooperation agreement including which is the currency swap agreement of 2018, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the N2.1 trillion (about $5.792 billion) 3050 megawatts (MW) Mambilla hydropower project, amongst others.
He said that the government shall continue to work very closely with the right Chinese bodies in the country to deliver the desired set targets for our Nigerians.
China’s trade volume with Nigeria has increased 1900 times since 1971
Also speaking at the event the Charge de Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Zhao Yong, disclosed that China’s trade with Africa has hit $208.7 billion with foreign direct investment totaling $49.1 billion.
According to Yong, the trade volume between China and Nigeria reached $19.27 billion in 2019, which was 1900 times that of 1971 when the diplomatic relationship was established. Yong said: “Despite the adverse effects of the Covid-19, the bilateral trade volume from January to October of 2020 increased by 0.7% year on year, which was 14% higher than the trade growth rate between China and Africa as a whole. “Nigeria surpassed Angola and South Africa respectively to become China’s second largest trading partners and largest export market in Africa.
At the same time, Nigeria is China’s major investment destination in Africa. The local Chinese are rushing to help their Nigerian brothers and sisters; the total value of materials and funds donated by the local Chinese companies and nationals amounted to N3 billion.
“At the same time, Nigeria is China’s major investment destination in Africa. The Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone and Lekki Free Zone have attracted a large number of Chinese companies to invest and operate their businesses. The infrastructure projects built jointly by the two countries, such as roads, ports and airport terminals, can be seen everywhere in Nigeria.
“China is ready to make joint efforts with Nigeria to further strengthen the anti-pandemic cooperation until the pandemic is completely defeated; deepen the Belt and Road cooperation; speed up the construction of key projects so as to help Nigeria accelerate the process of industrialization; explore the cooperation in the areas of digital economy and green” He said.
Speaking in a similar vain, the President of China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Mr. YE Shuijin said Chinese companies in Nigeria have giving direct employment to over 1 million Nigeria citizens, while the volume of investments in Nigeria is now in the region of 20 billion USD, he called on the Nigeria government to create the enabling environment for more Chinese investments into the country.
