The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and China’s Hunan Province have committed to strengthening cooperation in urban development, education, tourism, and environmental management as part of efforts to elevate China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, made this known while receiving a delegation from Hunan Province on behalf of the FCTA.
Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Austine Elemue in a statement quoted her to have described the collaboration as the type that would foster innovation, effective problem-solving, and mutual growth.
“This partnership will allow us to pool resources and expertise together, creat opportunities for innovation and enhanced capabilities that would be difficult to achieve individually,” Mahmoud stated.
She also expressed appreciation for the warm reception given to FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike during his recent visit to China saying she is optimistic about the outcomes of the collaboration.
Dr. Mahmoud highlighted the significant infrastructural improvements in the FCT under the current administration, noting that there are multiple areas for potential collaboration to further enhance the city’s development.
According to her; “This can lead to greater innovation, more effective problem-solving, and enhanced capabilities that would be difficult to achieve alone.
“In other words, partnerships foster mutual benefit, strengthen individual and collective efforts, and promote growth and resilience”.
While appreciating the delegation for the warm reception extended to FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, and his delegation during his recent visit to China, she expressed confidence that there would be a better outcome.
Mahmoud further said; “I also want to appreciate the dedication from China as a follow up visit. You have followed us since FCT delegation left China and it is left to us to look at more possible areas of collaboration.
“As you have noted the changes in the infrastructural development of FCT, people that were here before this administration, they know how FCT was and how FCT is looking now. So there are several areas we can collaborate”.
Earlier, vice chairman of the Hunan Provincial Political Consultative Conference and leader of the delegation, Lai Mingyong, noted that Abuja as the capital and political-cultural centre of Nigeria is an international city filled with modern atmosphere.
“This young city is renowned for its unique urban planning, beautiful architectural style, and well-developed infrastructure. It has grown into a modern metropolis with great achievements in terms of infrastructure”.
Mingyong, used the occasion to invite the FCT Administration to the China-Africa Economy and Trade Expo initiated by the President, Mr. Xi Jinping, hoping that new chapters would be developed during the Expo.
It would be recall that on September 3, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was in China for the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and a state visit at the Great Hall of the people of Beijing.
The leaders of the two nations had announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relation to a comprehensive strategic partnership.