President Bola Tinubu wrapped up his official visit to China with a meeting with Nigerians living in the country, describing his trip as “very good and successful.”
The President addressed members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel, Beijing, emphasizing the progress made during his engagements.
“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,” the President stated.
President Tinubu reflected on his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, which focused on strengthening cooperation in infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, green economy, and mining. He noted that China’s disciplined society was a model Nigerians could learn from.
“I cannot tell you more, except from the embassy, that China is a very disciplined society and we have to be disciplined too. Without discipline and commitment, we cannot build a nation that is respected everywhere in the world,” Tinubu said.
The President urged Nigerians in China to contribute to the country’s image and development through hard work and respect for the law. “We must exploit our diversity and be ready to do everything required of us within the laws of the communities that we live in and reflect a good image of our country,” he added.
Highlighting the impact of investments in China’s economy, Tinubu also assured Nigerians in the diaspora that Nigeria’s Bank of Industry is prepared to collaborate with them to leverage opportunities at home.
“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 take hard decisions to pave the way for a country that is blessed and so talented?” the President said.
He praised the talents of Nigerians in China, saying, “So many of you are so talented, speaking very fluent Mandarin. It is what you contribute and tell them at home that will reflect in the attitude of our people. The more you want everything free, it will become more expensive and long-delayed to achieve meaningful development.”
To applause, Tinubu promised to replicate China’s infrastructure back 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 hand to build our nation. Mine is to provide the leadership, and I am committed to doing just that,” he said.
While acknowledging the challenges of leadership, President Tinubu emphasized his commitment to moving Nigeria forward. “We are focused, and I have a very good team,” he added.