By Funmi Komolafe

It was the 57th independence anniversary of our nation last week.

Nigeria wasn’t the only country that marked her independence on that day. Tuvalu ( Ellice Islands), a Polynesian Island country located in the Pacific Ocean, midway between Australia and Hawaii, also did. Tuvalu, made up of three reef islands and six true atolls, also became an independent nation within the Commonwealth on October 1, 1978.

Buhari cutting the Nigerian anniversary cake in Maiduguri

Not much is known about Nigeria’s relationship with that country.

Another country that also marked her independence on October 1 is China. Mainland China became free on October 1, 1949, 68 years ago but eleven years ahead of Nigeria.

China has a lot of similarities with Nigeria. China is the most populous country in the world. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa.

To mark our 57th independence, we had a work-free day.

In China, the Chinese were on holiday for about a week to mark the independence of their country.

But the gap between Nigeria and China is so wide that one would think that China won her independence a century before Nigeria.

China seems to have taken economic diplomacy to a level that Nigeria is yet to attain. Chinese businessmen have not only invested in their country but have also spread their tentacles to other countries. Therefore, despite, the huge population of China, it does not seem to have serious unemployment issues whereas, Nigeria has serious unemployment issues.

In China, basic amenities like roads, water, light appear to have been settled at least in the major cities that one has had the privilege of visiting.

China is highly industrialized and its influence has become a threat to many countries including the United States. Believe it or not, many companies in Europe even in America produce in China. Many argue that this has been so because China’s labour is cheap. True labour may be cheaper in China but the people are productive.

In Nigeria, our leaders are yet to find solution to electricity problem and this has negatively impacted on our economy. Industries aren’t expanding. Many are cutting down on production, the consequence of which is high unemployment.

The attitude of the two countries to corruption is worthy of mention. Whereas in China, public officials found to have looted public funds are executed, in Nigeria, they receive chieftaincy titles and national honours. Some of those found wanting are bold enough to lay claim to looted public funds. I can’t imagine anyone doing that in China. He will speak from the grave.

On the positive side, Nigeria, like China, has impacted other countries. Nigeria played mediatory role in the liberation of South Africa, restored peace in the West African region during the wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone and also exported her human resource to assist several other countries with the Technical Aid Scheme.

China on its part has numerous investments in Nigeria. China’s impact on the economy of Nigeria cannot be ignored. Beyond the economy, China has continued to contribute to the development of our infrastructure. Chinese construction companies are actively engaged in Nigeria working on projects such as bridges, metro rail etc.

But the Chinese have also been giving back to our society.

Only last week, China donated a block of classrooms to a school in IWORO Ajido Model College, Iworo, Ajido, Badagry.

Presentation was by MR.GUAN ZHONGQI the deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate in Lagos who represented MR. CHAO XIAOLIANG, THE Consul General.

It’s high time we learnt a lot from China as part of efforts to develop our economy.

If China can influence the world, we too should run our country in a manner that we could at least dominate the African market.

We can no longer remain the sleeping giant of Africa.

As the most populous African nation, Nigeria has what it takes to make positive impact on other countries.

God help Nigeria.