Runsewe seeks China’s support to develop Nigeria’s textile industry

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has called on the Chinese government and industrialists to help develop Nigeria’s textile industries.

Runsewe made the call in an interview with our correspondent in Lagos on Thursday.

He said that since Nigeria’s textile industry had gone moribund, the nation needed the Chinese government to resuscitate its industry for economic growth.

He commended efforts of the People’s Republic of China towards strengthening the bilateral relations existing between the two countries.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria and China enjoy one of the best bilateral diplomatic and cultural relationships in the world.”

“China remains one of Nigeria’s key allies with key bilateral trade and strategic cooperation as well as trading import and export partnerships.”

“It is high time the Chinese government and industrialists help Nigeria resuscitate its moribund textile industry.”

“Nigeria being an agrarian country, efforts should be made by the Chinese government and industrialists to develop its textile industries, mechanise farming and other artisan products,” he said.

Runsewe said there was need for collaboration to create world class Nigeria-China resort to enhance tourism and national development.

“The two nations should work on creating centres to promote the teaching and learning of Nigeria and Chinese languages.”

“We must improve the working relationship between workers in the employment of Nigeria organisations and Chinese,” he said.

Runsewe decried the challenges in exploring the existing bilateral relations between the two countries with the perception that anything manufactured in China is sub-standard.

He said the development had affected commerce between Nigeria and China over the years.

He, however, urged Nigerians to desist from stigmatising Chinese products as low in quality or sub-standard.

He urged them to leverage on Chinese wealth of knowledge in the area of technological development and learn from same.