By Ochiaka Ugwu
Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar has said that 2025 China-Nigeria Culture & Tourism Festival jointly hosted by Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Nigerian Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy was a testimony to the strong and friendly relations between the two nations.
Tuggar who made this known Saturday at the event hosted by trio of China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, African Fashion Festival Vogue and Chinese Tourism Promoters Initiative said Cultural and tourism festivals such as this offer unique opportunities to appreciate one another’s values, traditions, and creativity.
Tuggar represented by Director, Foreign Service Reforms and Innovation of the Foreign Ministry, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi says that China’s long history and heritage, expressed through its rich traditions, arts, cuisine, and tourism, were a source of inspiration and learning.
Continuing, Tuggar said Nigeria, China partnership extends far beyond diplomacy and trade noting the exchanges create lasting bridges of understanding, friendship, and cooperation.
“This gathering is not just a celebration of culture, fashion, and tourism, but also a testimony to the strong and friendly relations between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China—two giants in their respective regions and influential partners in global development, Cultural and tourism festivals such as this one offer us unique Opportunities to appreciate one another’s values, traditions, and creativity.
“China’s long history and heritage, expressed through its rich traditions, arts, cuisine, and tourism, are a source of inspiration and learning.
“These exchanges create lasting bridges of understanding, friendship, and cooperation.
“Equally, we must harness the power of technology to develop our culture, festivals, and tourism sector whether through digital promotion, cultural documentation, or innovative tourism experiences.
“Nigeria—China partnership extends far beyond diplomacy and trade. It is about people-to-people connections” he said.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mukhtar Yawale Muhammad while commending China Culture Centre in Nigeria, African Fashion Festival Vogue and Chinese Tourism Promoters initiative for their vision in organizing the event said the festivals were not only entertainment but platforms for cultural diplomacy, creative exchange, and mutual understanding between nations.
Speaking earlier, Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Hongyou noted the two nations tourism exchanges which he said was dynamic had become vital bridges connecting their peoples and deepening friendship.
He revealed that despite the vast distance between the nations, China and Nigeria grow ever closer through cultural and tourism exchanges.
The event featured performances, including the Nigeria’s unity dance by Wazobia Art and Culture Group, and fashion shows showcasing both Chinese and Nigerian designs by the African Fashion Festival Vogue.
