The China Cultural Centre in Abuja, in partnership with Drum Majors for Peace,on Saturday, December 21, organized a grand event to celebrate China-Nigeria friendship with the theme “Good partners of China and Africa, A New Year Gala Celebrating China-Nigeria Friendship with Open Hearts and Shared Joy”.
The event which was held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja, was aimed at promoting the remarkable friendship between the two nations in 2024 and to celebrate the 2025 New Year in advance.
The high point of the event was the presentation of awards to notable personalities, particularly the China-Nigeria Promoter Award to Mr. Zheng Xiaopeng, the Chairman and CEO of Africa China News.
Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of CCCNIG in his opening speech, highlighted the significance of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral relations.
“In order to implement the consensus reached at the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, the Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Centre have organised a variety of cultural exchange activities. Through these activities, we have enhanced our Nigerian friends’ understanding of Chinese culture and also deepened our understanding of Nigerian culture”, the counselor said.
Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, while delivering her speech at the event, emphasized on the significance of cultural collaboration in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between China and Nigeria.
“Being the minister that sits on top of culture, tourism and creative industry, it is very important for me to see how we can key-in to the bilateral relationship that the Nigerian government has already set with the Chinese government”, the Honourable Minister said and continued.
“We want to see how we can turn our culture into value that will add growth to this nation. I am looking forward to coming to China so that we can explore all the different, different ways we can expand this partnership process that we are going through”, she declared.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Drum Majors for Peace, Mr. Nsikan Paul stated that the gathering was a celebration of unity, harmony and an unweavery partnership between China and Africa, particularly Nigeria.
“It is a testament of what we can achieve when hearts are opened and hands are joined across borders to build a world rooted in peace, tolerance and inclusivity”, he declared.
The celebration attracted distinguished personalities from both countries, such as; Mr. Yang Jianxing, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy and Director of CCCNIG in Nigeria, Mr. Nsikan Paul, Executive Director of Drum Majors for Peace, Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mr. Zang Zhichen, President, China General Chamber of Commerce and Chairman CCECC Nigeria Ltd, Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria-China Relations, Mr. Cui Guangzhen, DG, China General Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Zheng Xiaopeng, Chairman and CEO, Africa China News, among others.
