President Bola Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja today (Sunday, September 15) two weeks after his official visit to China and stopover in the United Kingdom, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoting a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The President left Abuja for Beijing, China, on Aug.29.
“He started his official visit on Tuesday, Sept.2, with a meeting with President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People,” the Presidency explained.
“During bilateral meeting with President Jinping, five Memoranda of understanding were signed between Nigeria and China.”
Among the MOUs signed is the Cooperation Plan between Nigeria and China, aimed at promoting the Belt and Road Initiative, peaceful application of nuclear energy, and cooperation on human resource development under the Global Development Initiative.
Others are on Media Exchange and Cooperation between China Media Group and the Nigerian Television Authority.
He said Nigeria also signed an MoU with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to build the 68 km Lagos Green rail line, designed to run from the Lekki Free Zone to the Marina and connect with the Blue Line.
“A memorandum of understanding for the 1 billion dollars iron ore-to-steel project planned for Kogi State was also signed between Chart and Capstone Integrated Limited of Nigeria and Sinomach-He of China.
“Before attending the opening of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, President Tinubu visited two Chinese companies: Huawei and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
“At FOCAC, President Tinubu, as chairman of ECOWAS, delivered a paper on global peace, stressing multilateralism and cooperation as essential ingredients for international peace,” the Presidential aide said.
He said the President capped his visit to China with a meeting with representatives of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation, China chapter.
“During which he spoke on the necessity of the reforms being implemented by his government in Nigeria and hoped that they would lead the country to a destination of good roads, constant power, and good schools, like in China.
“President Tinubu left Beijing for London, where he spent some days. On Thursday, he met with King Charles III, where he discussed issues related to climate change and action,” Onanuga said. (NAN)
