COVID-19: Chinese First Lady donates medical equipment to Nigeria's First Lady

July 15, 2020 - Prof. Peng Liyuan, First Lady of the People’s Republic of China has donated medical equipment to Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari to support Nigeria in the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Chinese First Lady is supporting African Countries in the pandemic and has donated medical equipment to first ladies across the continent.

Minister- Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, Mr Zhoa Yong handed over the medical equipment to Aisha Buhari on behalf of Chinese First Lady, Peng in a ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja.

The Humanitarian Post reports that the items donated are: disposable medical masks and infared thermometers.

The Chinese First Lady in her message said solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance among countries was crucial to defeating COVID-19, hence the token of support with medical equipment from the government of China.

“The sudden onslaught of COVID-19 has posed an enormous challenge to humanity. For countries to defeat the virus, solidarity, cooperation and mutual assistance are crucial.

“At the height of China’s battle against the virus, Nigeria gave solid support to China. This expression of profound friendship will always be remembered.

“Today’s donation is a token of friendship towards the Nigerian mothers, children and young people.

“China and Nigeria are strategic partners. China will continue to support Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19.

“With our hands joining together, we have full confidence to defeat this common enemy”, she said.

Peng reiterated the message of Chinese President, Xi Jinping at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on solidarity against COVID-19 held last month.

She said “humanity will ultimately defeat the virus, and Chinese African people are poised to embrace better days ahead”.

Receiving the items, Aisha Buhari who was represented by Hajiya Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to Nigeria's President on Administration and Women Affairs, appreciated the Chinese First Lady for her kind gestures.

Aisha Buhari said the donation was significant and shows that the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China was growing stronger beyond international policies and being extended to local issues concerning the welfare on Nigerians.

She said the items would support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts in fighting the pandemic, assuring Peng that the items would be used judiciously and would get to those they are meant for.

Aisha Buhari also appreciated the Chinese first lady for keeping to her promise at the focal Forum of China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2018 where she pledged to support African First Ladies in their fight against HIV/AIDs.

The Nigerian first lady said Peng has extended her collaboration beyond that to supporting African countries in the emerging issue of COVID-19.

“Today is a very important day for us and significantly, has shown that the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China is growing stronger and stronger.

“Not only on international policies but on local issues that has to do with the welfare of Nigerians.

“On this note, we are very grateful, we are happy to receive these items like other African countries.

“We want to assure that her Excellency has been on the fight against Coronavirus since the emergence, she has done everything possible in donating palliatives, medications of different sorts, distributing to hospitals, face masks across the countries of Nigeria.

“This is an added advantage, it is going to add to what her Excellency is doing.

Her Excellency assures that she will continue to do her best and ensure these items will get to the end users, it will go right to the grassroots.

“To People in need, people that will make the best use of it pray to see the end of the pandemic”, she said.