China tasks Nigeria on comprehensive investment in security, agriculture

…pledges support for Nigeria on humanitarian affairs, poverty reduction

The Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai has underscored the need for Nigerian authorities to enable comprehensive investment in food security, agriculture, industrialisation, education, security and developmental stability in the bid to tackle endemic poverty in the country.

The Chinese Envoy gave the charge on Thursday during an interactive session with the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sununu and Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, who expressed the resolve of the People’s Republic of China to partner with Nigeria in the area of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, who observed that both countries share a lot in common in terms of population, saying China has about 1.4 billion people as of last year, affirmed that China has suffered issues of hunger in times past, but the country has achieved much in addressing the challenges.

The Ambassador highlighted China’s experience in lifting millions of people out of poverty in the last decade and expressed his country’s willingness to share expertise with Nigeria.

He said addressing poverty requires comprehensive investment in food security, agriculture, industrialisation, education, security and developmental stability.

The Ambassador assured that the Chinese Embassy is ready to partner with the Ministry to achieve common goals.

In his remarks, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, while discussing potential areas of collaboration on poverty reduction and humanitarian affairs between Nigeria and China, acknowledged the good intentions of the Chinese government in partnering with the Ministry and expressed Nigeria’s eagerness to learn from China’s experiences.

He highlighted the humanitarian challenges in Nigeria, which include: acute malnutrition in children, internally displaced persons, refugees, and climate change, among others.

Sununu stated areas of collaboration to include Durable Solutions, Partnering in Skill to Wealth Training Programs, capacity building for the Ministry’s staff, particularly frontline workers, on poverty reduction and prompt response in humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yakubu Kofarmata, applauded the proposed partnership with the Ministry in the area of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, as well as capacity training for the Staff of the Ministry.

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