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By Gloria Ikibah

China has said it lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty since the country began its reform and opening-up programme in 1978, contributing more than 70 per cent of global poverty reduction, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has said.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja ar a one-day workshop on Nigeria’s Poverty Alleviation and China’s Development model organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ambassador Yu was represented by the Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Counsellor Sun Xuekun.

According to him, China’s poverty reduction achievement was unprecedented in scale, speed and sustainability, with the country eradicating absolute poverty by 2020.

He said when the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, nearly 87 per cent of its population lived in rural areas under extreme poverty, while per capita national income stood at only 27 US dollars.

Dunhai said the pace of poverty reduction also stood out, noting that nearly 100 million rural residents were still living below the poverty line at the end of 2012.

“Since the launch of reform and opening-up in 1978, China has lifted more than 800 million people out of poverty, contributing over 70 percent of global poverty reduction.

“Yet within only eight years, by the end of 2020, all of them had been lifted out of poverty.

“On average, more than 12 million people escaped poverty each year, equivalent to the population of a medium-sized country,” he said.

He added that 98.99 million rural poor residents, 832 impoverished counties and 128,000 impoverished villages were removed from poverty.

“China eradicated absolute poverty and achieved the poverty reduction target of the United Nations 2030 Agenda ten years ahead of schedule,” Dunhai said.

He attributed the achievement to strong government leadership, targeted interventions, economic development and the mobilisation of communities, businesses and social organisations.

The envoy said China invested nearly 1.6 trillion yuan in special poverty alleviation funds and deployed more than three million officials and village work team members to support poor communities.

He said the country also moved away from broad-based interventions towards targeted poverty alleviation by identifying poor households, examining the causes of poverty and tailoring assistance to local needs.

“China shifted from broad, generalized measures to precision-based interventions.

“Through detailed identification of poor households and villages, analysis of the causes of poverty, and the establishment of a national information management system, assistance was tailored to local realities,” he said.

Dunhai said China’s strategy included developing local industries, relocating communities from inhospitable areas, ecological compensation, educational assistance and stronger social security.

He also highlighted investments in roads, drinking water, electricity, telecommunications, education and healthcare as important parts of the country’s poverty reduction strategy.

According to him, China has since linked poverty alleviation with rural revitalisation to prevent people from slipping back into poverty.

“Poverty governance has gradually shifted from intensive campaigns to long-term institutional mechanisms, demonstrating that poverty can not only be overcome but also prevented from recurring,” he said.

The envoy said China’s experience showed that poverty reduction should be people-centred and treated as a core responsibility of government.

“China’s experience shows that poverty reduction begins with putting people’s interests first,” he said.

He also argued that poverty was fundamentally a development issue and could be tackled through economic growth, investment, improved livelihoods and policies adapted to local conditions.

“Poverty is fundamentally a development issue.

“By prioritizing economic development, addressing regional disparities, and continuously improving people’s livelihoods, China created conditions that enabled sustained poverty reduction,” Dunhai said.

He said China’s experience also had lessons for developing countries, stressing that each country should adopt policies suited to its own circumstances.

He said China had supported international development cooperation through initiatives including the Global Development Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative.

“China’s experience in targeted poverty alleviation, strong accountability, and dynamic management demonstrates that developing countries can successfully overcome poverty through strategies suited to their own national circumstances,” he said.

He maintained that despite continuing global poverty challenges, China’s experience demonstrated that poverty could be overcome through determination, appropriate policies and collective action.

“China’s poverty reduction journey demonstrates that poverty is neither inevitable nor irreversible.

“Through strong leadership, people-centered development, targeted policies, sustained economic growth, and broad social participation, China has achieved a historic transformation that has improved the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

“China’s experience shows that with determination, appropriate policies, and collective effort, poverty can be overcome, development can be shared, and a more prosperous future can be built for all,” Dunhai said.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has called for a careful adaptation of China’s development and poverty reduction strategies to Nigeria’s realities, stressing that the country must learn from international models without abandoning its own institutions, values and priorities.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, made the call at a one-day workshop organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DICAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The workshop, themed, “Nigeria’s Poverty Alleviation Efforts: Adopting China Modules and Its Relevance in a New Era — The Place of Policy Makers, Development Partners and Diplomatic Reporters,” brought stakeholders together to examine possible lessons from China’s development experience.

Ahmed who was represented by the immediate past Spokesperson of the Ministry,  Kimiebi Ebienfa,  said Nigeria, like many developing countries, continued to face poverty, unemployment and inequality, making bold and collaborative solutions necessary.

“No single institution or country holds all the answers. That is why the constructive study of international models, the adaptation of best practices, and strengthened partnerships are essential for delivering inclusive progress for our citizens,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary said China’s experience offered useful lessons in long-term planning, infrastructure-led growth, targeted poverty reduction and the mobilisation of domestic resources.

He, however, cautioned against copying the Chinese model wholesale, stressing that Nigeria’s unique institutions, social structure and values must guide any adaptation.

“Yet every country’s path must be shaped by its unique institutions, social fabric and values.

“Our objective should be to assess which elements of the China model can be responsibly contextualized for Nigeria, enhancing agricultural productivity, expanding social protection, leveraging public–private partnerships, and investing in human capital — while ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for democratic governance,” he said.

Ahmed said policymakers, development partners and the media all had important roles to play in tackling poverty.

He charged policymakers with developing practical frameworks that would translate international lessons into reforms suited to Nigeria, while protecting fiscal sustainability and strengthening institutions.

“Policy makers must design coherent frameworks that translate lessons into context-appropriate reforms, safeguard fiscal sustainability, and build the institutional capacity to implement and monitor results,” he said.

On the role of development partners, the Permanent Secretary said they could provide technical expertise, funding and international experience, but stressed that their interventions must be aligned with Nigeria’s priorities.

“Development partners bring technical expertise, financing and international experience; their support is most effective when aligned with Nigeria’s priorities and subject to rigorous oversight and mutual accountability,” he said.

Ahmed also highlighted the role of diplomatic correspondents and the wider media in shaping public understanding of government policies and holding stakeholders accountable.

“Diplomatic correspondents and the wider media are critical in shaping public understanding, scrutinizing policy choices, and holding stakeholders accountable.

“Clear, accurate and balanced reporting fosters informed public dialogue and helps ensure that poverty-alleviation strategies are responsive to citizens’ needs,” he said.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to deepen international partnerships to support Nigeria’s development goals through investment, technology transfer and capacity building.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to supporting these efforts by deepening international cooperation, promoting knowledge exchange, and mobilizing partnerships that advance Nigeria’s development objectives.

“We will therefore continue to engage bilateral and multilateral partners to attract responsible investment, technology transfer and capacity-building programs that respect our development priorities,” Ahmed said.

The Permanent Secretary urged participants at the workshop to have frank and evidence-based discussions and produce practical recommendations capable of accelerating poverty reduction.

“As you deliberate over the course of this workshop, I encourage frank, evidence-driven discussions that weigh opportunities against risks, and that prioritize the welfare of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

“Let this forum produce practical recommendations on policy adaptation, partnership modalities, and communication strategies that can accelerate sustainable poverty reduction in our country,” he said.

Ahmed commended DICAN for organising the workshop, saying stronger collaboration between policymakers, development partners and the media would be critical to lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

“On behalf of the Ministry, I wish you productive deliberations and actionable outcomes that will strengthen the contributions of policymakers, development partners and the press in lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of DICAN, Comrade Idehai Frederick, called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and China to tackle poverty and accelerate economic development.

Frederick said China’s experience in lifting more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty offered useful lessons for Nigeria, but stressed that the model must be adapted to the country’s peculiar socio-economic realities.

“China’s historical feat of lifting over 800 million people out of extreme poverty provides a compelling blueprint. However, adaptation rather than direct replication is key to achieving meaningful impact within Nigeria’s unique socio-economic landscape,” he said.
He urged policymakers to move from blanket subsidies to targeted, data-driven interventions at household and community levels, while prioritising infrastructure, industrialisation, the digital economy and stronger economic partnerships.

Frederick also called on the Chinese Government to expand fellowship opportunities, media exchange programmes and technical journalism training for DICAN members.

He further urged the Chinese Embassy to establish stronger links between Chinese businesses in Nigeria and DICAN, saying this would provide a platform for promoting corporate social responsibility, trade achievements and market opportunities.

On trade, the DICAN chairman said Nigeria must take advantage of China’s zero-tariff policy for African exports by strengthening local supply chains, improving product standards and expanding non-oil exports.

“We invite the Chinese Government to expand fellowship opportunities, media exchange programmes, and technical journalism training for DICAN members.

“Fully leveraging this policy requires strengthening local supply chains, improving standardization, and expanding non-oil exports from Nigeria to Chinese markets,” he said.

Frederick said journalists had an important role to play in promoting development and ensuring that policies were properly communicated to the public.

“Media professionals are not merely observers of policy; we are critical partners in documenting and accelerating national development,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy for their support, adding that DICAN will continue to promote informed public understanding of Nigeria’s foreign policy and development partnerships.

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The Osun State Police Command,on Tuesday confirmed the killing of two civilians during an alleged attack on a patrol team while responding to a distress call in Ikire community of Irewole Local Council.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that the killing occurred on Monday along the Ibadan–Ife Expressway.

According to Ojelabi, the patrol team, accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikire Division, was responding to a distress call over alleged abduction of one Sunkanmi when they came under heavy gun attack by suspected political thugs.

The statement further stated that the police patrol vehicle, forcefully taken away by the assailants, was later abandoned and subsequently recovered with multiple bullet holes and a destroyed windscreen.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Commissioner of Police (CP) of Osun State, Ibrahim Zungura, has visited the scene of the incident for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and subsequently directed a comprehensive investigation to be conducted by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) over the incident.

MEANWHILE, Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, has raised the alarm over alleged plans to create fresh tension in local councils across the state, urging security agencies to protect council officials and workers.

Lawal’s allegation followed a statement by the Osun State Government alleging that some stakeholders were planning to cause crises at local councils and motor parks following the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

In a statement by Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Mogaji Kola Olabisi, the APC chairman cautioned Governor Ademola Adeleke against any action capable of plunging the state into another round of political tension.

On his part, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and immediate past governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, yesterday, decried post-election violence allegedly recorded in some parts of the state, describing the development as a threat to democratic values, peace, and harmonious co-existence.

He, therefore, urged the police and other security agencies to rise to the challenge by restoring peace and tranquillity in the areas affected by alleged killings and violence.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola contended that the attacks on citizens constitute a threat to “peace, heritage and democratic values of the people of Osun State.”

He emphasised that no political ambition or commercial interest could ever justify the loss of human life, appealing to all stakeholders to reject violence and embrace dialogue in resolving disputes.

The minister also urged the security agencies to deploy adequate personnel to volatile locations, reclaim public spaces from hoodlums, and ensure that all those responsible for the killings and other acts of violence are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.

The statement stated: “We are expressing our condolences to the families of those killed in the violence, while charging the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to act decisively to restore order and protect residents, particularly in areas affected by the unrest.

“Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed. We are appealing to residents across the state to prioritise peace and restraint. The progress and prosperity of Osun State must not be sacrificed on the altar of political or commercial interests.

“We are also affirming our commitment to the peace, security and development of Osun State, urging citizens to work together to preserve the state’s long-standing reputation for civility, enterprise and democratic values.”

The Nation