ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- President Bola Tinubu, has reaffirmed his readiness to take tough decisions necessary for Nigeria’s development.
Tinubu during a meeting with Nigerians living in China on Friday in Beijing, acknowledged the difficulty in achieving national consensus on some issues but emphasized his commitment to moving the nation forward.
Tinubu, who was concluding his official engagements in China, described the visit as “very good and successful.”
Addressing the Nigerian community, including the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) China, at the China World Hotel, the President highlighted the importance of discipline and national service, using China’s disciplined society as a model for Nigerians.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu urged, “What is uppermost in my mind is for you to continue representing Nigeria as good citizens.
“And I urge you all to be good ambassadors of our nation in China. We will always celebrate our diversity. We cherish it, but this diversity is our commitment to serve. If it is about service, we must be good citizens.”
He stressed that without discipline and commitment, Nigeria could not build a respected nation, saying, “I cannot tell you more, except from the embassy, that China is a very disciplined society, and we have to be disciplined too.
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“Without discipline and commitment, we cannot build a nation that is respected everywhere in the world.”
Highlighting China’s infrastructure achievements, Tinubu assured Nigerians in the diaspora that Nigeria’s Bank of Industry was prepared to collaborate with them to explore opportunities at home.
He emphasized the need for reforms to foster growth, including tough decisions regarding fuel prices.
“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“?, he said
Addressing the applause from the audience, Tinubu mentioned a key takeaway from his visit to China was the commitment to replicating China’s infrastructure at 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,” he added.
President Tinubu also acknowledged the challenges leaders face in achieving national consensus but reaffirmed his focus and readiness to make hard decisions.
“We are focused, and I have a very good team,” he said.
During the event, Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, commended Tinubu for his dedication to strengthening Nigeria-China relations, particularly in trade, investment, and people-to-people collaboration.
Barnabas also requested the President’s support in advocating for Nigeria to be officially recognized as a native English-speaking nation in China, which would open up educational and job opportunities for Nigerians.
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He explained, “Presently, over 70 per cent of available international jobs in China are reserved for native English speakers. In 2016, the local authorities listed South Africa as a native English-speaking nation.
“We believe Nigeria has a chance to receive similar recognition due to the fact that English language is our official language.”
Barnabas concluded by pledging NIDO China’s continued support for Tinubu’s administration and efforts to elevate Nigeria’s global standing.