President Bola Tinubu says he is ready to make hard decisions to move Nigeria forward, even if it’s not easy to achieve national consensus.
News About Nigeria reports that this was disclosed in a statement by the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday.
President Tinubu described his trip to China as “very good and successful,” while addressing efforts to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and finance.
Tinubu stated that one key takeaway from his visit to China is the commitment to replicate China’s infrastructure back home.
He urged members of the Nigerian in Diaspora Organisation in China (NIDO China) to be good ambassadors, celebrating diversity while committing to national service and discipline.
Tinubu noted China’s disciplined society as an example for Nigerians, saying the need for hard decisions to achieve meaningful development.
He assured Nigerians in the Diaspora that the Bank of Industry is prepared to collaborate with them to leverage opportunities back home.
According to the statement, “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.”
He said, “We are focused, and I have a very good team.”
Dr. Oche Barnabas, President of NIDO China, commended Tinubu for strengthening Nigeria-China relations and pledged support for Nigeria’s 4D initiative.
Barnabas requested Tinubu’s assistance in advocating for Nigeria to be recognised as a native English-speaking nation, opening up job and educational opportunities.
“Your Excellency, I wish to indulge your kind attention and use this rare opportunity to share a key challenge on behalf of the Nigerian community in China. Due to the peculiar nature of this country, the Nigerian community is mainly composed of students, expatriates, and businessmen.
“Our desire is that Nigeria is officially recognised as a native English-speaking nation in China. We believe your esteemed engagements with the high-level authorities can assist us in establishing this status.
“Presently, over 70% 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 and we are also blessed with Professor Wole Soyinka who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
“We believe the enhancement of our status will open more opportunities to allow more Nigerians to study and work in China, thereby increasing diaspora remittance to Nigeria,” he said.
