Covid-19: China Chambers of Commerce donates 16,000 masks, 450 protective suites to Nigeria journalists

By Ochiaka Ugwu    

Mr. Suo Suo Guoming presenting the items to items to Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche

As part of spreading the power of solidarity towards stemming the spread of novel coronavirus pandemic, the China Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria has donated 16, 000 disposable surgical face masks and 450 disposable medical protective suites to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council.

Presenting the items Tuesday to the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche at the Council’s Secretariat in Abuja, the Vice Chairman of the Chamber, Mr. Suo Guoming said the donation came as a result of the respect they have for journalists.

He said that as frontline workers, they are exposed to many dangers and need to protect themselves.

Suo noted that journalists as guide of the people and voice of the nation deserved to be protected to enable them discharge their duties of reportage which imparts on the people.

Continuing, he noted that as guardian of democracy, uncrowned king of freedom and frontier to the battle against the pandemic, journalists need protection and support informing why they came.

His words, “As we know both Nigeria and China are developing countries. And you journalists are the guide of the people and the nation, guardian of the democracy and uncrowned king of freedom. You are the frontier to the battle against the pandemic. But still need protection and support for fighting the pandemic, that's why we are here” he said.

Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche (R) receiving the items from Mr. Suo 

Continuing, Suo who went back memory lane informed that China Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria is an officially registered organization under Ministry of Commerce of China which was established since 2009.

He said they have almost all the major Chinese company in Nigeria as members and have played an important role in strengthening and promoting the relationship between the two countries.

He said they recently worked with Hubei Zall foundation from China to support Nigeria to fight the pandemic and the foundation donated some personal protective items to Nigeria Union of Journalists to mitigate the risk of the pandemic.

Suo who represents Zhonghao Nigeria Limited, a major Civil Engineering coy and has been in Nigeria since 2002 expressed gratitude to NUJ for consistent support in strengthening relationship between Nigeria and China.

Responding, Chairman of Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche thanked the Chamber for their donation saying that it demonstrates in strong measures the “People-to-People Contact” which China has been professing and spreading.

He said that Chinese community has greatly helped in providing palliatives to their members who work in the frontline.

Ogbeche however, promised that the donated items will reach the appropriate persons who need it more than ever for their reportage. 

Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists discussing with the delegation of China Chambers of Commerce led by Suo Guoming on 16/06/2020 in Abuja, Nigeria.