The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, has emphasized that Nigeria’s pursuit of poverty eradication necessitates a deliberate and systematic investment in key areas such as education, food security, housing, and public safety. This counsel coincides with President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of his cabinet members, tasked with supporting his renewed commitment to the campaign manifesto.
Jianchun’s remarks were delivered on Monday in Abuja during the launch of the Hausa translation of the book “Up and Out of Poverty,” authored by Chinese President Xi Jinping. He underscored the numerous parallels between China and Nigeria, suggesting that Nigeria could glean valuable insights from the book. Originally penned in 1988, the book reflects the present president’s insights into tackling poverty and was employed as a blueprint for lifting millions out of extreme poverty between 2012 and 2022.
Highlighting the essence of poverty alleviation, Jianchun identified two fundamental necessities: sustenance and clothing, alongside three essential guarantees: compulsory education, basic healthcare, and secure housing. He urged Nigeria to address its educational sector, stressing that a nation’s progress hinges on education and that reducing the number of dropouts is pivotal.
Jianchun emphasized the need for Nigeria to surmount its healthcare challenges as part of its poverty reduction strategy. He underscored China’s approach of bolstering the economy as a pivotal factor in poverty elimination, urging Nigeria to leverage its inherent strengths and natural resources to generate employment opportunities for its populace.
Additionally, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, spoke at the book launch, highlighting the relevance of the event considering Nigeria’s widespread poverty, particularly affecting around 80 million people living below the poverty line in the northern regions. Akume believed that the availability of the Hausa translation of the book would enable Nigerians to benefit from China’s growth and development.
Akume’s representative, Aliyu Shinkafi, noted that the timing of the book launch was significant, reflecting the shared concerns of both countries. The Hausa version of the book was chosen deliberately, given that Nigeria’s population exceeds 200 million, with a substantial portion living in poverty, especially in the North West and North East regions.
