Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with the People’s Republic of China in important sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, and education.
Sanwo-Olu made the commitment at the 75th-anniversary celebration which took place on Monday at Lekki, Lagos.
In the person of his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the governor lauded China as a valued friend and partner whose collaboration had opened up new opportunities in the sub-Saharan area.
The governor emphasised how Lagos State and China have worked well together to promote major infrastructural developments in the state.
He included the Lagos-Ibadan railway, Lekki Deep Seaport, and Lekki Free Trade Zone as examples of successful projects that resulted from this collaboration.
He said that the cooperation had enhanced economic capacities, created jobs, and improved the quality of life for thousands of Nigerians.
Sanwo-Olu also praised the Chinese community in Lagos for fostering cultural diversity and strengthening the bonds amongst the people of the state.
He noted that the growth of Chinese language schools, cultural centres, and businesses, had contributed to the state’s vibrant diversity.
China has undergone an “extraordinary” transition over the past 75 years, according to the governor, overcoming obstacles to emerge as a global leader in manufacturing, technology, and economic growth.
He hailed China’s story as a symbol of resilience, vision, and commitment, and looked forward to continued cooperation and a brighter future between Lagos state and China.
Earlier in her welcome address, Ms Yan Yuping, Consul-General of the PRC in Lagos, reiterated the Chinese Consulate’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Lagos State, building on the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Nigeria.
She highlighted the Consulate’s goals of exploring new fields of cooperation, promoting friendly exchanges, and working towards a shared future.
Yuping reflected on China’s progress over the past 75 years, rising from a “latecomer to modernisation” to a “driving force of global modernisation,” becoming the world’s second-largest economy and eliminating absolute poverty.
She noted the growth in China-Nigeria bilateral trade and vibrant exchanges in various fields, solidifying public support for the partnership.
Yuping underlined the significance of standing together, hand in hand, to steer the future of China-Africa solidarity and collaboration in order to ensure a bright future for future generations.
The chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Nigeria-China relations, Jaafaru Yakubu, on his part, stated that Nigeria was prepared and eager to adopt Chinese creative ideas in order to create a nation that would work for everyone.
He stressed that the collaboration between both nations had strengthened the bond between China and Africa.
“We acknowledge the invaluable contribution of Chinese entrepreneurs which has rekindled our engagement, and our friendship has always been on mutual respect and recommendation.
“This has brought bilateral support at multilateral levels,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlight of the event was the launch of the special China-Nigeria Friendship Publication, a special Promotional Video.
Also, there was the 75th Anniversary of the New China Photo Exhibition and the Presentation of the China-Nigeria Friendship Contribution Award.
NAN
