By Waziri Isa Adam
In his determination to promote bilateral and mutual relations between his country and Nigeria, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjian, has, in collaboration with China Alumni Association of Nigeria, initiated, nominated and awarded his country’s “2019 October 1st Awards for outstanding Nigerian Advocates of Nigeria – China relations,” to 48 distinguished Nigerians in the academia, government and private sectors.
The same Ambassador initiated, two years ago, fully sponsored training of Nigerian students in different Chinese Universities and yearly awards of Scholarship to other best students in Nigerian Universities, beneficiaries of which include some 48 students of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The 48 outstanding Nigerian advocates of the China – Nigeria relations who benefitted from the recent award, included the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Garba, the Institution’s Director of Directorate of University Advancement, Prof. Adamu Ahmed and 46 others.
In his short speech, penultimate week at the Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Pingjian said the 48 awardees were selected for the award in view of their contributions in enhancing and promoting the highly blossoming relations between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.
On the wisdom of the choice or restriction of the number of the beneficiaries to 48, the Ambassador said the number symbolizes 48 years of robust and successful cultivation of mutually beneficial diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Commenting on the award, one of the beneficiaries, Professor Adamu Ahmed thanked the Ambassador for considering them worthy of such a historic award.
Professor Ahmed assured the Ambassador that as patriotic and discerning Nigerians in the academia who are very aware of the enormous benefits that Nigeria and its citizens stand to achieve, if relations between the two countries is properly nurtured, and considering the strategic role of China in global politics, economy, peace and security, they will continue to educate the nation on the need to sustain such a high impact relationship for the benefit of all.