China supports Nigeria’s anti-virus fight with medical supplies

Zhou Pingjian, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria (second L), attends the handover ceremony of medical supplies donated by China to Nigeria on April 23. [Photo/CCTV]

The medical supplies donated by China to support Nigeria’s fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were handed over to the West African country on April 23.

Zhou Pingjian, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, and Nigerian officials including Sani Aliyu, the national coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, witnessed the handover ceremony.

According to Zhou, China will continue to share all its anti-epidemic experience with Nigeria and try its best to provide support and assistance to the Nigerian government.

He said he has full confidence in Nigeria's ultimate victory in the battle over the pandemic.

As good friends, partners and brothers, China and Nigeria as well as people in the two countries will surely witness improved trust, cooperation and friendship in the fight against the common enemy, he noted.

Zhou hoped that the Nigerian government will earnestly protect the health, safety, and rights and interests of Chinese nationals there.

Aliyu thanked China and Chinese enterprises for their aid to Nigeria on behalf of his government, saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

He said that the protective equipment and ventilators donated by China have been distributed across the country’s health institutions and the quarantine facilities rebuilt with the help of Chinese companies in Abuja are all set and ready for use.

Aliyu also appreciated the technical support from Chinese medical staff and added that he is confident about winning the anti-epidemic war by fighting shoulder to shoulder with Chinese friends.

Adekunle Olusegun Adeyemi, permanent secretary of the General Services Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria, was also present at the ceremony.