Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said this at a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian.

He demanded that the inhuman treatment on Nigerians in China must be addressed forthwith.

The Speaker went ahead to confront the Ambassador with the protest video of the incidence where a Nigerian was seen challenging Chinese officials over the maltreatment.

He said viral media reports/videos from Beijing showed Nigerians being forced out of their houses and hotels, rounded up and their passports seized by the Chinese police.

The viral videos also showed some Nigerians were being forced into another 14-day quarantine after the initial 14- day they spent for same purpose over the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

The Speaker said there should be an official explanation for treating Nigerians in such a manner.

While asking the Chinese Ambassador if he has taken up the issue with his home country, the Speaker said: “If the diplomatic relationships between our two countries are for the mutual benefits of our citizens, then there must be respect for our citizens, and we should not compromise it.

“As a government, we will not allow Chinese or other nationals to be maltreated just as we will not allow Nigerians to be maltreated in other countries.

“The way you treat your citizens, we expect that’s how you’ll treat others. We will not tolerate our citizens breaking your laws but the crime of one citizen cannot be used to stigmatize the whole country.

“It appears that’s what happened in this case. You can’t use one brush to smear the whole wall. Whatever the reason, it cannot be used and taken out on the entire community in China”.

Ambassador Pingjian said though he has not been officially informed about the details of the incident, he promised to take it up with the home government.

“We take our relationship with Nigeria very seriously. Until we receive a full report from back home, I cannot act but I can assure you it is not a policy issue.

“We treat everyone equally but during the implementation of the COVID-19 measures in China, it is possible for some incidents; all I do is to take it back home, today I will, ” he said.

The Speaker said the House will expect a feedback from the Ambassador as soon as possible, saying: “We are glad you are looking into it but we are hoping to have it at least by Tuesday.

“It is better we nip it in the bud so that it doesn’t escalate to another level. So, by Tuesday, if you have the information to give us, if steps have been taken, let’s talk about it and let’s see the way forward.”

The Speaker also sought to understand the specific mandate of the Chinese medical team that arrived Nigeria on Wednesday and if they are on quarantine.

The Ambassador said the Chinese medical personnel are in full quarantine and ready to observe all protocols as stipulated by Nigeria.

“They are on 100 percent quarantine. The NCDC has been there twice; they have to follow the protocol. They are here to deliver medical supplies and on advisory role only, that is a prevention working group on COVID-19. They will do nothing like practicing as doctors,” he said.

The meeting had in attendance the Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu and Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Toby Okechukwu.

The post We’ll not allow China maltreat Nigerians, Gbajabiamila tells Ambassador appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Xiaohong, who led a delegation to the EFCC Headquarters, September 8, 2017 said, “We have heard a lot about your efforts in the fight against corruption and commend you for your doggedness in ensuring that you kick corruption out of Nigeria.”

While expressing his delight to be involved with the anti-graft agency’s efforts, he added that, “We want to cooperate with the EFCC to explore and promote anti-corruption agenda, as we are aware of your achievements”.

Ibrahim Magu, acting EFCC Chairman, who received the delegation, expressed his readiness to partner with the China, in the fight against corruption, stressing that the anti-graft agency was opened to international collaborations. He described the visit as “a gateway” for expanding the operations of the EFCC.

“We are committed and willing to cooperate with you and we seek your assistance, particularly in the area of capacity building, training of personnel, and combating advance fee fraud, internet fraud, and theft of petroleum products,” Magu said.

Magu intimated the delegation that the partnership with the China in fighting corruption in Nigeria, will also extend to the oil and gas industry, as “we have noticed that Chinese citizens are getting involved in oil theft.”

He noted that “some of them have been caught in the act and are currently facing trial”, thus calling on the delegation to “collaborate with us so we can check such vices, as this will help both countries”.

Magu also used the opportunity to seek for assistance in “identifying and recovering proceeds of corruption stashed away in China”, stressing that Nigeria and China, “need to have synergy so that even when China has any problem in their embassy here in Nigeria, the EFCC will swiftly tackle the issue without waiting for protocols, because ‘delay is dangerous’”.

Xiaohong was accompanied by ZHOU Pingjian, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria and other top officials of the CPC.

The post China lauds EFCC on corruption fight, seeks collaboration appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Saraki, according to a statement from his Media Office, in Abuja, stated this when he hosted the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian in his office.

The Senate President lauded the excellent relationship between Nigeria and China and said there was need to take it further in more mutually beneficial ways.

He noted that Nigeria has demographic similarities with China and expressed hope that both countries will be able to resolve any outstanding issue towards deepening their relationship.

He said there was ample room for Chinese investors to invest in the textile industry in the northern part of the country towards reviving commercial activities there.

He also called for better parliamentary co-operation between the National Assembly and the Peoples Assembly of China through the exchange of ideas on parliamentary best practices.

Saraki said: “We can further deepen the relationship between us and be able to put behind us some of the long outstanding issues and then break into new areas that we all wish for. I think there is no doubt today that Nigeria as a country – both as a government and a people – that we really treasure the importance of a relationship with China.

“I want to reemphasize that as we look at the present government’s policies and direction, we believe that there is a great role for your country to play. There is a lot that we can do together to build trust,” he said.

In a related development, Saraki has pledged the co-operation and support of the Senate for all financial institutions offering non-interest based financial services in Nigeria. He said that non-interest financial services would be most appreciated in this country especially now that the economy is in recession.

Dr. Saraki, while addressing the Chairman of of the Board Of Directors of Jaiz Bank Plc, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab and members of the management team who visited him in his office also stated that the recently passed Public Procurement law by the Senate was aimed at stimulating the Nigerian economy, especially now that the economy of the country is in recession.

The Senate President said the National Assembly will ensure a level playing ground for all banks operating in Nigeria, especially in the area of ensuring that same laws regulating all banking institutions apply to those offering the non-interest financial services.

“I commend Jaiz bank and your dogged determination in ensuring that the services of non interest bank has taken root in Nigeria. Our duty and responsibility is to ensure that your bank and other financial institutions offering non interest services have a fair playing ground with other banking and financial institutions in the country.

“The Senate is reviewing some economic laws and it is our duty that the right laws are created for the smooth operations of all banks and financial institutions”, Saraki said.

While Pingjian lauded Nigeria for its great strides and pledged to further deepen diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, Dr Mutallab said the visit was to intimate lawmakers on the proposed changes in tax laws and the need to specially cater for non-interest finance by ensuring a level playing field.

Follow Us

“

The post Saraki identifies areas where Nigeria needs China’s co-operation appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Speaking with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian, at the presentation of Letters of Credence ceremony at the State House, President Buhari commended the readiness of the Chinese public and private sectors to invest in Nigeria, especially in areas that directly improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

“We really appreciate the efforts of the Chinese government and its people in supporting Nigeria’s development by always seeking to improve our bilateral relations.

“We are also happy that China is working with Nigeria as partners in progress. We will work hard to always meet the counterpart funding for all the agreements reached during my visit to China in April, as we look forward to stronger ties,” the President said.

President Buhari also noted that the relationship between Nigerian and China had over the years bolstered the country’s economy through technology and skills transfer in areas like rail, road and energy constructions.

The President said Nigeria was ready to receive prospective investors from China who had signified interest in the country.

Earlier, the Chinese ambassador said he had been inundated with so many requests by investors from his country who had been “falling over one another” to explore business opportunities in Nigeria.

Pingjian said the investors had been attracted by the “remarkable and audacious” change process that President Buhari’s administration implemented in safeguarding security, fighting corruption and restoring integrity and sanctity in all public sector transactions.

President Buhari also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Warner Senfter; Ambassador of the State of Israel, Guy Feldman and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Jens-Petter Kjemprud.

Follow Us

The post Nigeria ready to provide counterpart funding for infrastructure development, Buhari tells China appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.