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The Sixth Ambassador Lecture was held by the CAI
Time : 2021-03-04
Author : By Deng Yanting

 

 

On February 25, 2021, the Sixth Ambassador Lecture: Fifty Years of China-Nigeria Relations was simultaneously held online and offline by the CAI. H.E. Baba Ahmed Jidda, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to China was invited to give a keynote lecture at the CAI. The lecture stared with the opening address of Professor Li Xinfeng, Executive President of the CAI (Director of the IWAAS), and presided over by Professor Wang Xiaoming, Vice President of the CAI (Vice Director of the IWAAS). Mr. Lawal Bappah, Minister/Public Communication of Nigerian embassy in China also attended the lecture at the CAI. And the lecture was joined by more than 100 experts and scholars from Chinese and African universities and research institutions on the spot and online as well.

H.E. Baba Ahmed Jidda

H.E. Baba Ahmed Jidda elaborated in his lecture that as one of the dynamic driving forces to support African liberation and unity, Nigeria played an important role towards the launch of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was later reorganized as the African Union (AU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Thanks to its advantageous geographical location, convenient transportation facilities, huge domestic market, rich natural resources, diverse and inclusive traditional culture, sufficient skilled workers, stable political situation and many other advantages, Nigeria has made great achievements in economic and social development since independence, which has not only transformed the demographic dividends of being Africa's most populous country into the miracle of African largest economy, but also has consolidated its political influence regarding sub-regional integration in West Africa, the building of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and Africa’s engagement in international multilateral cooperation.

H.E. Baba Ahmed Jidda noted that history of Nigeria-China relations could be traced back to 1971, when the two countries established diplomatic relations upon the core values of mutual respect, equality and reciprocity initiated by H.E. Zhou Enlai, Chinese Prime Minister’s visit to Africa in the early 1960s. Despite the changing international situation, Nigeria-China relations have been experiencing since the debut an ever-growing development in terms of political trust, respect for each other's core interests, economic and technological cooperation, trade, capacity building and security cooperation. Projects such as Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge railway, Abuja light rail, Lekki industrial park and Chinese Cultural Center has undoubtedly become historical coordinates illustrating achievements of bilateral cooperation. The Eight Major Initiatives and buildings of a stronger China-Africa community with a shared future proposed by H.E. Chinese President Xi Jinping at the FOCAC 2018 Beijing Summit resonated with Nigerian top level design and plan actions. Driven by the signing of MoU on the BRI cooperation in 2018, China's sharing of development ideas, experience, plans and wisdom will further empower Nigeria to implement the Agenda 2050 and 2021-2025 Medium Term Development Plan. Amid COVID-19 pandemic, China's assistance to Nigeria in medical and other fields has positively contributed to guarantee Nigerian people with a healthier and safer life.

H.E. Baba Ahmed Jidda pointed out that against the backdrop of 50th anniversary of Nigeria-China relations, the congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi and visit of Chinese FM Wang will further consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations. With the support from the BRI and the upcoming FOCAC Dakar Summit, a more promising future of Nigeria-China relations could be expected.

Professor Li Xinfeng

In his opening address, Professor Li noted that the year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Nigeria diplomatic relations. By adhering to the tradition of choosing Africa as the first destination of each year’s international visits, a consistent practice of Chinese foreign ministers throughout decades, H.E Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China chose Nigeria as the first stop of his trip to Africa in this January, highlighting the great attention accorded by China on its friendship with Nigeria. In his congratulatory letter to Nigerian President H.E. Muhammadu Buhari on 50th anniversary of China-Nigeria relations, Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping pointed out that time honored bilateral friendship has borne fruitful achievements in the past five decades and will embrace more bright future under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). At this special time of celebrating the 50th anniversary of China-Nigeria relations and envisaging the bright future of bilateral partnership unveiled by the upcoming Dakar Summit of the FOCAC, the CAI has the honor to invite Nigerian Ambassador H.E. Baba Ahmed Jidda to give a lecture on the topic, and will continue to be dedicated to join hands with Nigerian counterparts to promote people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa.

Professor Wang Xiaoming

 

In Q&A, Professor Li Wengang, Director of Division of Ethnicity and Religion Studies, Professor Wu Chuanhua, Director of Editorial Office of Journal of China-Africa Studies, Dr. Deng Yanting, Deputy Director of Division of Security Studies, Professor Liu Naiya, Director of Division of Social-Cultural Studies, Professor Zhang Yongpeng, Special Researcher Wang Nan exchanged with Nigerian Ambassador on topics of vaccination in Nigeria, challenges of China-Nigeria relations, Nigeria’s engagement in climate change, Nigeria’s anti-terrorism campaign, single currency of the ECOWAS, sustainability of China-Nigeria cooperation projects, and Nigeria’s influence in African politics.

Professor Li Wengang

Professor Wu Chuanhua

Dr. Deng Yanting

Professor Zhang Yongpeng

Professor Liu Naiya

Special Researcher Wang Nan

After the keynote lecture and Q&A, Professor Li presented H.E. Baba Ahmed Jidda with souvenir and academic publications on behalf of the CAI.

Li Xinfeng presents souvenir and academic publications to the ambassador

The main venue

 

 

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