Ifeoluwa Mokelu
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jianchun on an official visit to Ekiti on Tuesday 25th July 2022 expressed the readiness of the Chinese government to partner with Ekiti State on her Knowledge Zone Project utilization of nuclear science and technology in critical sectors in Ekiti.
Mr Jianchun assured Fayemi on Tuesday when he led experts from China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and other Chinese delegation on a courtesy visit to Ado- Ekiti.
Ambassador Jianchun, who was accompanied by the Director General, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), Professor Yusuf Ahmed, was in Ekiti for a three day inspection and study of the project and to understand the nuclear technology in the development of agriculture, health, biotechnology, education and other critical sectors of the State.
He also stated that the Ekiti state’s partnership with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is a technological collaboration that would promote understanding on how to peacefully apply nuclear energy to serve the people of Ekiti.
The Ambassador who has had a 23 years working experience with CNNC, said he was looking forward to the partnership with China in development of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone project and how it would attract more supports from Chinese government not only in Ekiti but all over Nigeria.
The ambassador also commended Governor Fayemi for having the initiative of the development of the knowledge zone and assured that CNNC would provide the technological expertise in developing area.
In his remarks, Governor Fayemi explained that he was passionate about knowledge generation, knowledge development and knowledge transmission as well as creating wealth that would be beneficial and helpful to the people of the State.
The Governor went on to say that the state also holds in high regard its partnership with China, highlighting that Chinese companies had been very involved in the execution of major developmental projects in the State.
Fayemi said, “We are very passionate with our link with China. Chinese companies have been very active in our state and we have a number of our projects, including current projects that are being worked on by CCECC particularly we also have other projects being handled by TNJ in the State but we have a very good relationship with CCECC and to that extent you will see some of the projects when you go round. We are committed to this, we are passionate about it and I am sure that when we get into full discussion towards the next two days we are going to be able to explore the entire gamut of this efforts, agriculture, biotechnology, healthcare all of those areas that we believe can be of huge advantage to us, we are ready to go, we are very pleased that you are here and we know that this is the beginning of a segment of the continued partnership that we had with yourself and with our own team, NAEC from Abuja.”
Also the Director General of NAEC, Professor Yusuf Ahmed, revealed that China has about 60 percent investment in the entire financial backing of the project adding that his team had secured major necessities needed for the initiation of the execution of the project.
