Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yu Dunhai, has called on developed countries to take responsibility for the climate challenges they have caused in developing nations.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Taking New Opportunities for China-Nigeria Cooperation in Deepening Reform in the New Era” on Thursday, Yu emphasized the need for these countries to address the international climate injustices they have created.
Yu highlighted the unfairness of developed nations shifting the burden of climate change and other industrialization-related challenges onto developing countries. He urged for a more equitable approach to global development issues.
Reflecting on China’s own development, Yu stated that China had risen to become one of the world’s top economies by adopting a people-centered approach, lifting 800 million citizens out of poverty over the past 70 years. He credited China’s openness to global exchange of ideas as a major factor in its growth and highlighted that the nation has maintained peaceful relations globally, without engaging in war during this period.
Yu also reinforced the strong partnership between China and Nigeria, expressing optimism about continued cooperation between the two countries.
Professor Sheriff Ibrahim, Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja, echoed Yu’s sentiments. He recommended that Nigeria must take a deliberate approach to development, emphasizing that the country has many strong policies in place but requires discipline from both leaders and citizens to implement them.
Professor Bibi Farouk of the University of Abuja lamented Nigeria’s underdeveloped infrastructure, attributing it to a lack of commitment from the nation’s leadership. He suggested that Nigeria should focus on technological growth within its partnership with China and open its markets to fully benefit from Chinese innovation.
