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Issues in Nigeria-China Relations(AllAfrica.com English Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Lagos, Apr 30, 2006 (Daily Champion/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) --The importance of Nigeria's relations with China as two great nations can not be over emphasized neither should a sense of its over importance rob us of raising genuine objections where necessary. China-Nigeria relations has lasted for 35 years with Nigeria seemingly bearing the brunt. This is evident in trade relations, immigration matters, UN voting supports, diplomatic access and contacts, business freedom and even in matters of Chinese national interests like the status of Taiwan, China no doubts, enjoys greater and greater advantage in our relations. But, it is just every country's interest to seek mutual benefits, like balances in trade and other economic transactions. No one enjoys to be cheated for a long time! One thing I love dearly about China is their sense of patriotism and nationalism. Every Chinese owes it as a duty, not only to protect one another but to protect their nation. If there is something to learn from our relations with China, this is number one! In February 2006, the Nigerian Customs department informed the nation of the "extent of violation of Nigerian's import and export regulations by Chinese traders in various China towns" ..a case involving 30 trailer loads of contraband goods imported into the nation in mysterious circumstances. Part of the concern about activities like these would necessarily be national security apart from economic damages. How did it happen? How could foreigners import so much into a sovereign nation with a trace! Porous borders for foreigners is an invitation for certain dangers. This led to the closure of the affected markets and detention of key Chinese figures involved. This looked like a job well done by Nigerian Customs. As the issue was making news in most of the nations dailies, the Chinese Ambassador in Nigeria quickly moved in and succeeded in pulling the entire leadership of Nigeria's Upper house for a seminar. But both countries would celebrate together the "35th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Nigeria" and the venue was Chinese Embassy Premises in Abuja. Here began the high level talks and lobbying that gave China all it wanted. The next thing the news reported was "Senate probes closure of China Town" So who took the matter to the Senate? Chinese traders case is now on the floor of the Upper House!! Was it presented as a bill or complaint or petition? Some Nigerians in China could not believe what they were hearing.. Chinese traders who imported contraband could take their case so quickly to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; a feat distressed Nigerian citizens in China were yet to achieve. So, Chinese traders in Nigeria have now achieved a feat their Nigerian counterparts in China could not achieve no-thanks to disunity. How did the Chinese traders get to the nations upper Chamber to talk about China town closed shops and contraband goods? Meanwhile, in China the demise of many Nigerians has not been able to attract the attention of Chinese officials to the plights of our people. On 28 Dec 2005, Nigerians in China witnessed the sudden death of Chinedu Akidi who jumped to his death when China Police were raiding his residential area. Earlier two other Nigerians including Charles Mbigbo a School teacher, fell off high rise buildings, in a similar circumstance and broke his limbs. If a Chinese suffers the same fate or dies in Nigeria under similar circumstance as Akidi, it could severe our relations with the giant Asian nation. This is where our foreign policy looks beggarly. The death of a Nigerian is weightier issue than Chinese visa extension. Right? Yet we did not hear that these cases got to China's CPC, or other relevant Chinese authorities before it was discharged. These Nigerians are they criminals? Unlike the Chinese traders who sort lenience from the Senate, these Nigerians have become irreversibly victims of China Police cruelty. Death as we know, weighs more than immigration offences they were supposed to face in any circumstance. So how did Chinese traders get audience of the Upper House in Nigeria while weightier issues of loss of lives got no where in China? The answer is in the different ways our two Embassies see same things. So we should count our teeth with our tongue. But, the Daily Independent of January 3, 2006 has a useful revelation about how Chinese traders got to Nigerian Senate; According to the daily - "Officials of the Chinese Embassy in Abuja have begun talks with top Nigerian government officials over the closure of China Town, a shopping mall in Lagos." So it was through Chinese Embassy officials that the traders' case got to the Senate. The revelations continued "It was revealed that the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone "A", Ikeja, which raided China Town, acted on intelligence that the place had become a " haven for the sale of prohibited and substandard goods"!! Importation of contraband and fake products constitute a crime. Doesn't it? So why was the case in the Senate and not in the law court? Do Chinese Embassy officials know the enormity of the crime these traders committed? Many will say yes they know, they are learned Diplomats. So the lesson is that they were not going to let the traders and their country down. This is their primary assignment, not to become Judges over their own citizens in a foreign land. Nigerian Embassy officials seem to be in dire need of training in this wise. I hate crimes and criminals are offenders, but many Nigerians are continually seen as criminals even when they are victims. What are the roles of our diplomatic missions abroad? Awgwu Progressive Union was left to raise the whopping sum of 73,000 RMB to fly the remains of Akidi, home. They solicited for funds from other Nigerians. If Chinese Embassy officials could lobby Senate for the lives and businesses of their people, in difficult circumstances as mentioned in this piece, it then reveals areas we definitely need to improve on, in regards to service to our own people. In graphic manner, one can see clearly the steps taken by Chinese side; from the traders through Chinese Embassy to Nigeria Senate. But it is interesting to see how the Senate handles issues of foreign policy of our nation. In another report by Adetutu Folasade-Koyi, a Senior Correspondent, titled "Senate probes closure of China Town". Mr. Adetutu wrote - "Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs and Service (NCS), Jacob Buba, has cited alleged flagrant abuse of the nation's economic and fiscal policies by the Chinese as one of the major reasons China Town in Lagos State was closed down. But the Senate has waded in based on a petition by those affected by the closure, promising to make its report known soon..."Based on the information at our disposal, 30 trailer loads of textiles were carted away from there." Now, what would the Senate do with Chinese traders who imported contrabands? Will they deregulate the contrbands? Have they power to grant linience in such crimes and offences? What would the Senate do? Finally the Senate Committee on Finance came out with its findings a warning to the traders! According to the spokesman of the Customs Mr. Wale Adeniyi, the Senate Committee on Finance which also went on a fact-finding mission to the place pleaded on behalf of the Chinese and Nigerian traders in the market." So the Upper House pleaded on the behalf of law breakers and Customs closed the case and re-opened China market. Incredible! But I am now glad that my country could show such level of mercy and lenience to Chinese people in Nigeria. Chinese government is now obligated to reciprocation. If I am asking for lenience for my people, I have a spiritual bases to do so; Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matt 5.7. Many Nigerian people are in Chinese Prisons for simple immigration offences, expiration of visas, among others; these kinds of people should receive lenience as well. This is the essence of mutual relations. President Obasanjo and the Legislators must now use the visit of President Hu Jintao to Nigeria in this new season, to deal with plights of fellow Nigerians living in China. Most critical among the plights are as follows; Revoke Visa Restriction policy on Nigerian Passport holders; Extension of visas in China now costs between US$800 to US$1500 as you bargain duration of the Visa usually 3 to 6 Months. Our Embassy should have the facts. Stop Police Raiding of Worship Places and Nigerian gatherings: 3 Nigerians have jumped to permanent disability, 1 died. On one occasion the Police beat worshippers with iron batons on a Sunday during worship. This ought not be anywhere in the world. Our government should ask for freedom of religious _expression for its people. Stop the deportation of Christian leaders on account of their Christian faith: Some Nigerians have had their resident visas cancelled, sent home without their belongings, on the charge of involve in Religious activity" Our government must prevail on Chinese leaders on essential faith observance. With love and high regards, we welcome President Hu Jintao to Nigeria! |