Netizens have taken to social media to ridicule President Bola Tinubu’s planned trip to China billed for next week.
The netizens made the derogatory caricatures of the trip in a whatsapp platform, the National Conference.
A netizen ~Onorievaagnes@gmail, mocking the trip wrote; ” My fear is that these Chinese people are seizing everything from Nigeria. From aircrafts to houses. Now, the number one dey carry him leg go there. I hope they won’t seize our president?
Another netizen, ~Stephen Okodudu in his criticism wrote; ”President Tinubu should sit down in Nigeria and stop wasting scarce resources looking for what is not looking for him. Running to China to do what? Its just another huge waste of time. He should read the Economic History of China and be guided, please. Chairman Mao did not have to be junketing everywhere to commence the economic miracle that is China today. President Tinubu campaigned for and wanted to be president. He should take off his babariga, don a fam dress, and lead Nigerians by example. Enough of this outdated, distracting, and pedestrian approach to governance. Nigeria and Nigerians have been hurting very badly since his inauguration as president on the 29th of May 2023. What was he thinking when he pronounced “subsidy is gone” and followed up by floating the Naira?
In his own write-up, Olufemi Adegbilulugbe wrote; ”Our President has lost it!
Meanwhile, the Presidency yesterday gave an insight into what Nigeria stands to gain from the President’s trip.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale told reporters at the State House that the high-profile trip will among other benefits, bolster economic ties and secure investments for the country.
Ngelale explained that the President will visit prominent Chinese corporations, including Huawei Technologies and the China Rail and Construction Corporation (CRCC) to fast-track the completion of the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos Kano high-speed rail line.
He also added that the President Tinubu will engage in strategic meetings with 10 chief executives of major Chinese corporations, boast assets totaling over $3 trillion across various sectors of the economy.
Ajuri listed the sectors as Information and Communication Technology (ICT); oil and gas; alluminum production; seaport construction; financial services and satellite technology development.
The Presidential aide said the visit is expected to yield immediate and long-term benefits for the local economy and Nigerians, underscoring the President’s commitment to economic growth and development.
Ngelale said: “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will depart for the People’s Republic of China, most specifically, Beijing, from the nation’s capital within the first week of September to engage in a series of meetings and activities with immediate and future benefit to the Nigerian economy and the Nigerian people.
“Mr. President, will conduct site visits to two major Chinese corporations; Huawei Technologies, as well as the China Rail and Construction Corporation, (CRCC). This is with a view to achieve one of Mr. President’s top agenda items, which is the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high speed rail line.
“Thereafter His Excellency, Mr. President, will meet 10 selected chief executive officers of 10 major Chinese corporations with assets under management totalling over $3 trillion across multiple sectors of the economy, including information and communications technology, refining oil and gas, alluminium production, seaport construction, harbour construction and dredging services, financial services, satellite technology development, as well as many other critical sectors.”
Ngelale added that President Tinubu, who is scheduled to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, would be signing several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening cooperation between the two nations.
The agreements will focus on key areas, including green economy, agriculture, satellite technology development, media enterprise development and promotion, blue economic development, and national planning cooperation.
The meeting will also provide a platform for Tinubu and Jinping to discuss matters of mutual interest, spanning economic cooperation, national, regional, and international security, and other pressing global issues.
Ngelale also said the President, as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government, will join other African leaders at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit and will deliver key remarks on behalf of the region, addressing critical matters of mutual interest between China and Africa.
The President will participate in the peace and security plenary, where he will share Nigeria’s perspective on regional and continental security challenges.
Ngelale added that the President would thereafter join the FOCAC Summit, where several African heads of state will be engaging Chinese leaders on various important matters.
He said: “At this FOCAC Summit, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his capacity as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will deliver remarks on behalf of the region and certainly would proceed to the high level peace and security plenary, where he will further deliver remarks on peace and security in the region and in Africa in his capacity as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This engagement is expected to yield tangible, immediate and future dividends for the sake of the Nigerian economy and for the benefit of the Nigerian people and the President is placing a premium on deliverables, ensuring that this is not a talk-shop, but that this is something that will yield results for our people, justifying any expenditure that is made during the course of this trip.”
metronetworknews with the nation report
