The Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria has signed an agreement with China’s Contemporary World Magazine.
The Nigeria and China agreement which was signed in Abuja is aimed at establishing a synergy between the two countries in tackling issues of common interest especially insecurity through the China Contemporary World Magazine.
The China Contemporary World Magazine is founded in 1981 and supervised by the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, CPC.
It is a comprehensive monthly bilingual periodical which serves as an authoritative and trustworthy source of information and ideas as well as China’s leading scholarly journal published at home and abroad in both Chinese and English.
It brings together a wealth of views from renowned experts on international issues and think-thank worldwide and offers authoritative global issues.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, (NIPCR), Dr. Bakut Tswah Bakut and the Directing Officer, Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Wu Baocai signed the partnership on behalf of their countries. The ceremony, which was witnessed by China’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Cui Jianchun and management members from the Nigerian Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, will
provide diverse issues from peaceful coexistence, harmony in integration, diversity and development among others. The publication which shall be quarterly would have 60 per cent Chinese and 40 per cent Nigerian contributors. It will have a format of a journal.
Though the contributors would be experts and intellectuals in their fields, the publication would appeal to all sectors and strata of the society.
Speaking after the signing of the agreement, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Jianchun, expressed delight that Nigeria is pioneering this venture in Africa describing the event as impactful.
“We are taking the lead and are proud of that. Some countries try to get this ceremony but Beijing gave me the opportunity, so I hope that we can do things together.”
Ambassador Jianchun disclosed that since he assumed duty in Nigeria just over a year ago, he has been trying to do his best to do things for the two countries from people-to-people and is very proud “some trees now got flowers and some that have gotten flowers, have got fruits.”
The envoy noted that both China and Nigeria have security challenges but with China’s long-aged harmony, there could be symphony for Nigeria.
“My idea is to share Chinese harmony. All nations, big, small, rich and poor, all try to achieve harmony but China has 5000 years history of non-disruption, that means we have Chinese way of harmony,” he explained.
He said the signing of the agreement is a very good example of how cooperation between the Institute and the magazine can provide idea, approach and solution to Nigeria, Africa and developing countries.
Dr. Bakut pointed out that international relations, development, lots of issues, enlightenment, education and both countries would learn from each other through the magazine.
He noted that the collaboration is geared towards the dissemination of broader context of peace across the African continent and the world in general.
He appreciated Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, for creating an environment upon which the China-Nigeria relationship has thrived especially in the areas of human prosperity, development and economic growth.
He also thanked the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Geoffrey Onyeama, who made it possible by approving the partnership with Contemporary World Magazine for the country’s version.
The synergy which is first in Africa would provide for the general well-being of its peoples through the publication of a Nigeria edition of China’s Contemporary World Magazine.
The magazine which is not only powerful and popular in China but around the world would provide robust and in-depth write-ups and analysis on various issues for the betterment of both countries and Africa.
The first edition is expected to be launched in September this year.
