By John Okeke
It was a day full of celebration for the Chinese Community in Abuja which marked the Mid-Autumn festival and Chinese National Day “China-Nigeria Cultural Week” Launching Ceremony .
The event organised by Chinese Embassy in Abuja witnessed the presentation of the Oct.1st China-Nigeria Friendship Awards to 50 Chinese employees who perfomed optimally in local Chinese companies in Nigeria.
Among the dignitaries at the event are, Dr. Adaora Ifeoma Anyanwutaku Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, who represented the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
Speaking at the event , the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, said the two countries have a good cooperation adding that the both countries also share similarities.
He said, “Over the last 50 years, Nigeria and China stand shoulder to shoulder, offer mutual support, cherish their friendship cooperation, respect each other’s core interest and major concerns, therefore made tremendous achievement in all fields which has greatly benefited our two peoples.
“Both China and Nigeria are great countries with long history and rich culture, the bilateral relationship will be further improved and the traditional friendship will be further strengthened through co-hosting “China-Nigeria Cultural week.’
“As the largest developing country and the most populous country as well in the world and in Africa respectively, China and Nigeria have lots of similarities, even our national day is on the same day– October 1st.
“So, we have every reason to jointly celebrate our upcoming national day , and we are proud to say “our culture our pride.
“Furthermore, since this year witnesses 50th Anniversary of bilateral relations, the Chinese Embassy would like to present “Oct 1st China -Nigeria Friendship Award” to 50 Nigerian employees of Chinese companies in Nigeria for their outstanding performance and contribution to strengthening diplomatic ties between both countries”.
Also, speaking , the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Adaora Anyanwutaku, lauded the 50 year’s diplomatic relationship between both countries.
According to Anyanwutaku, “the five decades of co-operation has since witnessed several cultural activities and exchange in the spheres of arts, music, dance, exhibition, cultural administration, training and capacity building if cultural officers and, recently, the development of cultural industries centres in Nigeria amongst others.”
The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said Chinese has done a lot to Nigerian people.
” Chinese has shown true virtue and love to Nigerian people.”
He also assured China that Nigeria is ready for continued robust cooperation to cement the existing relationship.
The President of China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, Mr. Ye Shuijin, said China and Nigeria in the past fifty years have a lot to share in common .
Shuijin who said he has been in Nigeria for the past 16 years said the both countries have a robust cooperation.
There were colorful performance and display of Nigerian cultural dance .
Also, a Video Presentation “Mid-Autumn Festival:A Moonmoment to Remember” was shown during the event.
