The Chinese Government has pledged to support Nigeria eradicate absolute poverty in rural communities through the introduction of a unique grass technology.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jianchun, made this known during the opening of the Moon Festival and National Day Celebration, which is part of the China-Nigeria Cultural Week in Abuja.
Mr Cui said the “Juncao”, which is a form of dryland grass technology used by the rural poor to grow both rice and mushrooms and to feed animals, has helped millions of people in their industries.
“I am working hard to bring this technology to Nigeria,” he said.
Cui said if China, with 1.4 billion people, which in 2012 had over 128,000 and 832 impoverished villages and counties respectively, could eradicate poverty by over 98.9 percent through the efforts of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Nigeria can do the same.
“In Nigeria, we have huge, abundant natural and human resources, I think we can share what we have done,” he said.
He observed that since young people could learn new things in a rapidly changing world, the government was planning to take many young Nigerians to visit China specifically to see the rural areas and how poverty was eradicated.
He expressed hope that with poverty and insecurity addressed in Nigeria, the country could be restored to greatness.
Also, speaking the President of the China Chamber of Commerce, Ye Shuijin advocated for more cultural exchange and understanding between Nigeria and China.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information, Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, commended China for its youth oriented programmes which would contribute to lifting 100m people out of poverty in Nigeria in 10 years.
She added that China and Nigeria celebration of national day on same day of October 1 is a testament to the great relationship between both countries.
The DG of the Nigerian Centre for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Olusegun Runsewe, commended China for exhibiting friendship with Nigeria through scholarships, skills transfer and infrastructure development.
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