By Dr. Austin Maho
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation otherwise known has FOCAC, has become a focal point in Sino-Africa relations.
The reason is obvious, FOCAC since its formation in 2000 has boosted plurilateral cooperation and collaboration and committed the largest financial commitment by a single country to the development of infrastructure in African countries. It has become an avenue for the cross fertilization of common developmental ideas, problems sharing and solving.
FOCAC in all remification is a cross-continental solidarity and economic forum devoted to advancing the bonds of friendships between China and Africa. It is a counterpoise to western styled development institutions that has not really worked for African countries.
The upcoming September summit in Beijing, like others before it will convene senior African and Chinese representatives to discuss the future direction of Sino-African cooperation. The summit themed: “Joining hands to advance modernisation and build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future” will have leaders of African member states, representatives of relevant African regional and other organisations, as well as international organisations, in attendance.
Nigeria as one of the largest nations in Africa in terms of economy and population must be fully represented in the upcoming summit. The importance of Nigeria’s presence is further underscored by the need to give the renewed hope agenda of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration a boost, considering the current downtown of the Nigeria economy.
The presence of the Nigerian president at the summit will enable him weigh his options and seek the assistance of the FOCAC platform to further drive his developmental agenda through new investments, especially in agriculture, project financing, healthcare, new energy, security, among others.
Happily, China pays high premium on its relations with Nigeria. Few weeks ago the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Chen Xiaodong visited the Nigerian president at the presidential villa in Abuja where he extended an invitation by President Xi Jinping for a state visit, while also commending President Tinubu for his strategic vision and playing leading roles in ECOWAS and Africa.
“You are an important leader and a strategist in Africa. We believe that your meeting with President Jinping will open up more discussions and opportunities for Nigeria and Africa,’’ the Chinese Envoy said.
It is hoped that president Tinubu would seize this opportunity, for as he rightly noted during the meeting, “ A relationship that has lasted over 50 years must be nourished, nurtured, and promoted. Our mutual commitment to the values of labour, understanding, and development is very important. I am very happy that President Xi Jinping is paying attention to Africa as a whole and our developmental needs,’’ While commending President Xi Jinping for consistently strengthening relations with Nigeria and Africa.
“I commend what President Xi Jinping is doing in Africa, helping with capital mobilization for projects that positively impact the lives and livelihoods of our people in Africa.
“The infrastructure need of Africa is monumental, particularly that of Nigeria. You have good technology that you can transfer. You have a good opportunity to make an indelible mark on Nigeria. We have a very vibrant youth population, well-educated, and ready to learn. Skill development programme and transfer of knowledge is extremely important,’’ President Tinubu added.
Clearly President Tinubu understands the needs of Nigeria and the role China can play in delivering on the core objectives of his renewed hope agenda.
It is on this basis that it is imperative for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to pay his first official visit to China and participate in the summit of the heads of state and government of the 54 member states of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) slated to hold in Beijing from September 4-6.
Dr. Maho is an international affairs analyst, a public affairs commentator and publisher Daybreak Nigeria
