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Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Bakut Bakut and Directing Officer, Embassy of China in Nigeria, Mr. Wu, right, sign the agreement for their countries
By Anthony Maliki
Nigeria and China have pioneered a synergy in Africa that would provide for the general well-being of its peoples through the publication of a Nigeria edition of China’s Contemporary World Magazine.
The magazine-which is not only powerful and popular in China but around the world-would provide robust and in-depth write-ups and analysis on various issues for the betterment of both countries and Africa.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, (NIPCR), Dr. Bakut Bakut and the Directing Officer, Embassy of China in Nigeria, Mr. Wu signed the partnership in Abuja Thursday on behalf of their countries.
The ceremony was witnessed by China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador CUI Jianchun and management members from the Institute.
Providing diverse issues from peaceful coexistence, harmony in integration, diversity and development among others, the publication which shall be quarterly, would have 60 per cent Chinese and 40 per cent Nigeria contributors. It will have a format of a journal.
The first edition is expected in September.
Though the contributors would be experts and intellectuals in their fields, the publication would appeal to all sectors and strata of the society.
Speaking after the signing formalities, Ambassador Jianchun expressed delight that Nigeria is pioneering this venture in Africa describing the event as impactful.
“We are taking the lead and are proud of that. Some countries try to get this ceremony but Beijing gave me the opportunity, so I hope that the we can do things together,” the envoy stressed.
According to him, since he assumed duty in Nigeria just over a year ago, he has been trying to do his best to do things for the two countries from people-to-people and is very proud “some trees now got flowers and some that have gotten flowers, have got fruits.”
Ambassador Jianchun noted that both China and Nigeria have security challenges but with China’s long-aged harmony, there could be symphony for Nigeria.
“My idea is to share Chinese harmony. All nations, big, small, rich and poor, all try to achieve harmony but China has 5000 years history of non-disruption, that means we have Chinese way of harmony,” he pointed out.
He said the signing of the agreement is a very good example of how cooperation between the Institute and magazine can provide idea, approach and solution to Nigeria, African and developing countries.
Dr. Bakut in his speech, appreciated Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari by creating an environment upon which the China-Nigeria relationship has been fashioned and cooperation endured with very robust relationship particularly in the areas of human prosperity, development and economic growth.
He also thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Geoffrey Onyeama who made it possible by approving the partnership with Contemporary World Magazine for the Nigerian version.
Dr. Bakut pointed out that international relations, development, lots of issues, enlightenment, education and both countries would learn from each other through the magazine.
Besides, he said the collaboration is geared towards the dissemination of broader context of peace across the African continent and the world in general.
