***Urges China to Increase Aid Flows to Nigeria
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has appealed to the Chinese government to increase aid flows to Africa and particularly to Nigeria.
Akpabio made the appeal on Tuesday while playing host to a Chinese delegation led by the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress(NPC) of China, Zhang Qingwei.
Akpabio described Qingwei's first ever visit to Africa as a historic occasion that resonated with promise and possibility.
The Senate President told Qingwei: "While China's trade relations with Africa have continued to grow, I want to seize the opportunity offered by your visit to call on the Chinese government to increase aid flows to Nigeria.
"This is particularly important as the pledge of the Chinese government to Africa in the 2024 FOCAC (Forum on China and Africa Cooperation) showed a declining trend compared to the US$60 billion pledged in 2015.
"As we gaze into the horizon of possibilities, let us aspire to build a partnership that not only strengthens our economies but also enriches our cultural and social bonds.
"Let us roll up our sleeves and work on projects that will elevate the lives of our citizens and contribute to the collective modernization of our nations.
"Together, we can craft a legacy of cooperation that will echo through generations. Nigeria is a land of limitless opportunities—an expansive terrain filled with immense potential, rich resources, and a vibrant tapestry of culture.
"Your Excellency, let China join us in transforming Nigeria into not merely a market but a thriving hub of innovation, creativity, and boundless opportunity."
Akpabio noted that the recent diplomatic exchanges between our Nigeria and China had borne fruit, yielding significant trade growth and numerous Memoranda of Understanding that illuminated the path for future partnerships and joint ventures.
Akpabio also called for stronger momentum in parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
"I believe that cooperation between our legislatures is an essential part of our bilateral relations. I intend to see stronger momentum in exchanges and cooperation between our two Parliaments.
"I therefore urge you to continue helping to improve diplomatic and trade relations between Nigeria and China, especially by promoting democratic relations through the Parliament just as you have been doing to the executive, because the parliament remains the fulcrum of our representative democracy.
"Nigeria has much to learn from China, especially its political uniqueness and unicameral National People’s Congress, the highest legislative body in the world with about 3,000 membership and we are prepared to do so, just as China can also learn from our bicameral national parliamentary practice.
"We can begin this mutually beneficial relationship by establishing the Nigeria/China Parliamentary Friendship Group to continue exchanging ideas on how we can assist our both parliamentary institutions," Akpabio said.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Zhang Qingwei said his visit was to implement the "important consensus" reached by the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who visited China in September.
He said the visit was to "consolidate China/Nigeria friendship and mutual trust, enhance exchanges between legislature and to step up communications and exchanges between the two countries in various areas so as to elevate bilateral relations to a new height."
Qingwei said as a good friend of Nigeria, China sincerely hoped Nigeria would achieve greater progress on the part of development and reforms.