Chinese President Xi Jinping says China will use the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Nigeria to promote strategic partnership to new heights.
President Xi stated this in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.
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The Chinese leader said he attached great importance to the development of China-Nigeria relations, and assured President Buhari that his country would spare no effort in strengthening existing relations.
A statement issued Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, noted that Jinping described Nigeria as an important strategic partner of China in Africa and pacesetter of China-Africa cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria yesterday awarded 50 Nigerians with its newly launched October-1st awards of China-Nigeria friendship in recognition of their contributions to advancing Nigeria-China relationship.
The awards were bestowed on school teachers, journalists and government officials, among others, as part of efforts to encourage young Nigerians to contribute to fostering the tenets of the friendship between both countries.
Top on the list of recipients are the permanent secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs Ifeoma Anyanwutaku; chairman, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secondary Educational Board, Dr Yahaya Mohammed, and the head of Liaison and Protocol at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Lawal Sale.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Cui Jianchun, said the choice of 50 recipients and the title of the awards was inspired in view of the five-decades-long relationship, as well as the celebration of independence by both countries on October 1.
