Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The Chinese government in collaboration with Association of Chinese Women in Nigeria and the Overseas Chinese Community in Lagos on Friday presented N170million worth of medical equipment and cash to the Lagos state government to support the war against coronavirus.
The state commissioner for transportation, Frederick Oladeinde, received the items and cheque of N35, 380, 000.00 from the donors at the warehouse of a Chinese company, AfricaMed in Lekki.
The items donated include thermometer, hand sanitizers, masks, coverall clothing, gloves, ventilators and a cheque of N35, 380, 000. 00.
In a letter presented to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu by the Consulate General of Peoples Republic of China and the Overseas Chinese Association in Nigeria, they said, “with the Coronavirus spreading around the world, nations such as Nigeria are battling with this new pandemic and its attendant health, social and economic catastrophic effects, it has become mandatory that we work collectively to overcome this upheaval.
“With this in mind, the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos setup an initiative to Chinese-funded enterprises in Nigeria, Chinese communities and Chinese compatriots in Nigeria
to come together to show support to the good people of Lagos State.
“Viruses have no borders and are a common challenge faced by all mankind. China and Africa are a
community of shared destiny, and helping African countries fight the pandemic is the proper meaning of China-Africa friendly cooperation.
“We are therefore committed to ensure we join His Excellency and his team to fight and completely eradicate the COVID-19 virus from Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.
“Nigeria is our second hometown. The Chinese consulate general in Lagos has kick-started this by donating with other Chinese-funded enterprises, overseas Chinese associations and overseas Chinese have responded accordingly with both anti epidemic materials and China and Nigeria have always been friendly countries.
“It is the responsibility of our Chinese compatriots to give back to the local society that has been a great host we remain committed as long term partners to the continuous growth of our Lagos
State”, the letter read.
Making the presentation to the government representative, Chairlady of Chinese Women in Nigeria, Zhou Jun said, “we are family, we should work together to defeat coronavirus”.
Also representative of Overseas Chinese Community in Lagos, Eng Koon Loi said, “Nigeria is our second home, we have to work together to defeat COVID-19.
Thanking the Chinese for the donation, commissioner for transportation, Frederick Oladeinde who represented the governor, said “COVID-19 is real, it is something we are all fighting together, it is a pandemic and it is global.
“Government can not do it alone, and we are very happy to have partners like the Chinese and other donors come together and support the government. Together we will fight COVID-19 and together we will defeat it, thank you very much for what you are doing”, Oladeinde told the Chinese.
