The Government of the Peoples Republic of China, yesterday, launched the Hausa and English editions of Up and Out of Poverty book in Abuja.
The launching organized by Foreign Language Press of the Mosuro Publisher, China, expresses Chinese thoughtful initiative to share the book’s contents with other non-mandarin readers through the English and Hausa translations.
The book was written in 1988 by the President of People’s Republic of China, President Xi Jinping.
The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, stated that Nigeria has come a long way in its relationship with China, which started since 1971, the year China was elected member of the United Nations.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the SGF, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Shinkafi, the SGF stated that China and Nigeria have many things in common. According to him, they are the most populous and first economies in their respective continents as well as having very rich cultures.
Expressing gratitude to the Chinese Ambassador, Mr. Cui Jian Chun, for the important role in translation of the book to Hausa language.
He said: “It is not by chance that this translation happened because Nigeria has population of over 200 million and out of this, about eighty million are living below the poverty line. Most of this population are Hausa speakers in the Northern part of Nigeria, Northwest and North-East to be precise.
“When you talk about development financing, apart from regular institutions like International Monetary Fund and World bank, China is the largest bilateral lender to Nigeria and Nigeria is one of the top five development destination in Africa.
“When you look at household equipment, construction companies, machineries and textiles in Nigeria, you must see a Chinese product that shows the relationship between the two countries.”
In his remarks, the Vice Minister of the central Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr. Hu Helping, highlighted that only through openness, communication and by maintaining an economic and cultural relationship with the outer world on a regular basis will development be achieved.
Huping said that China was ready to work with members of the international community on building a better world, and to pursue an open strategy on mutual benefits and win, win cooperation for communal coexistence and mutual learning among different countries.
Also speaking, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, represented by Mrs. Celina Gaza Oluwafemi, stated that even the FCT have villagers in the outskirts of the capital city living in poverty.
“For us at the Federal Capital, we have been partnering with the Chinese Embassy in so many ways. The recent one is the ongoing Abuja rail. We will love the Chinese Embassy to partner with us in the area of agricultural empowerment as well as the small kiosk business initiative.”
The Chairman, Nigeria/China relations committee, National Assembly House of Representatives, Hon Jafaru Yakubu, stated that the book Up and Out of Poverty, which contains an innovative concept of poverty eradication using China’s experience and journey through economic struggles, is aptly authored by President XI Jinping, who has contributed significantly to the success story of China.
As the President of China, President Jinping has shown commitment to poverty eradication through his various economic reform policies that have so far yielded positive results.
Speaking further, he noted that “it is therefore, heartwarming that the government of China has taken the thoughtful initiative to share the book’s contents with other non-mandarin readers through the English and Hausa translations.
“The Hausa language is the most widely spoken language on the West African coast. It is spoken as a first language by a large number of people in the sub-region and as a second language by some 25 million people. In fact, it is a major language spoken in the northern part of Nigeria.
“Therefore, I have no doubt that the book would contribute in no small measure to Nigeria’s efforts toward poverty eradication.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to convey my best wishes for the personal well-being of President Jinping and the continued progress and prosperity of the People’s Republic of China.”
Also in attendance was the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Cui Jian Chun and the President, China international communications group, Hon Du Zhan Yuan.