Laraba MUREY
The Federal Government has expressed interest in learning from China’s experience in fighting poverty, hunger, and displacement.
The decision was reached during a visit by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, to the Minister of State, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu.
A statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry, Rhoda Ishaku, highlighted Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges which include acute malnutrition in children, internally displaced persons, refugees, and climate change.
The Minister said possible areas of collaboration include durable solutions, skill-to-wealth training, capacity building for frontline workers, and prompt response to vulnerable populations.
“The Federal Government appreciates the good intentions of the Chinese government in partnering with us, and Nigeria is eager to learn from China’s experience,” Sununu was quoted as saying.
The statement added that Ambassador Dunhai noted that China, with its population of 1.4 billion, once faced hunger but successfully lifted millions out of poverty.
“Addressing poverty requires comprehensive investment in food security, agriculture, industrialisation, education, security and developmental stability,” Dunhai was quoted as saying, while assuring that the Chinese Embassy was ready to support Nigeria in achieving its goals.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, according to the statement, thanked the ambassador for the visit and his interest in training staff of the ministry in humanitarian and poverty reduction programmes.
