Chinese Service Centre marks Spring Festival

Chinese nationals in company of their friends and relations last Friday gathered at the Banquet Hall, China Town in Ojota, Lagos to herald the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year. The occasion, which was put together by the Oversee Chinese Center in Lagos featured live music, miming, raffle draw and fashion parade.
It also featured Chinese cuisine such as dumpling, Yue, Shizi Tóu or lion’s head, Songshu Guiyu or Mandarin fish and exhibition of art works.
The hosts used the occasion to show how to prepare Chinese native foods as well as the cooking of some of the cuisines. Intermittently, the occasion in far away China was beamed live to those in Nigeria in order to be part of the fun.
Head of Chinese Overseas Service Center in Nigeria Mr. Jackson Sun Gouping who doubles as the founder of the China Town in Lagos, spoke on the importance of New Year in Chinese history.
“Chinese never toy with the full celebration of the new year. Majority of our nationals has gone home to China, and many in the cities in China will definitely go to their rural and traditional communities to celebrate the season. But those who are here today are gathered here to celebrate with our families, friends and wives of the Chinese. I mean women who are married to the Chinese nationals and same for men from China who are married to Nigerians. It is time to celebrate. We cherish Nigeria as well as we cherished and loved China, it is time to celebrate together”.
“We are delighted that President Mohammadu Buhari sent us his goodwill message. We too wish him good tidings as he paddled the boat of Nigeria economy. From home, our Minister of Chinese Overseas Service Center,Qiu Yuanping also sent her greetings to us” .Jackson Gouping who has spent almost 40 years in Nigeria said with enthusiasm.
Chinese Consul General in Lagos office, Mr. Chao Xiaoliang said that coming together calls for deeper celebration.
“Nigeria and China have come a long way. We share a lot of similarities. First, we have same National Day, which is October 1. Also China is the most populous country in Asia and the world, and Nigeria is the most populous black nation in Africa, and the world.
“China is the largest economy in Asia while Nigeria is a leading economy in Africa. We share a lot of similarities in culture and strategic knowledge about the international situation and economy. In the trade area, the trade volume between China and Nigeria has grown fast in the past few years. I wish everyone a happy New year” Chao who went round to greet the guests was full of delightful moments throughout the ceremony,” he said.
He stated that President Muhammadu Buhari through his Media aide Femi Adesina sent a good will message to the Chinese communities in Nigeria before travelling out.
“On behalf of the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I want to express my warmest greetings to you on celebrating the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese Lunar New Year. We know that it is the most important traditional festival for the Chinese. It is an occasion for family reunion.
“Families will be coming together, often travelling many miles to revive great family values, reflect on the blessings of the past year and look forward with hope to the New Year,” Mr. President said.
According to head of Human Resources Huawei Nigeria, Mrs. Dorothy Johnson and daughter of Nigerian former Ambassador to China, late Ambassador Victor Chibundu, ‘in China, Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac format. And this year is that of the Rooster.
“It has started now and will last until Feb 15, 2017. It is time for enjoyment, celebrations and giving out to the humanity. At home in China, You can hardly see people trading in China now, absolutely nobody. Everybody will be in a celebration mood. Because the festivities usually start the day before the New Year and continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the new year, this why we are gathering together at the popular China town here in Lagos” Dorothy said.
Minister for Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Qiu Yuanping, had her goodwill message televised for the audience as she wished them good health.
A director at WEMPCO, a well-known multinational company in Nigeria Phillip Tung was happy that orphans were in attendance as well as some of the needy. “The purpose of gathering here is to felicitate with each other and reach out to those that cannot afford such” Phillip, a philanthropist reasoned.
Present at the event were children of Ijamido (orphanage) Home, Sango Otta. Also, pupils of The Pinefield Montessori School, Lekki, Lagos who were on excursion to the China town were given the opportunity to savour the moment. Red envelopes also known as gift bags were given to the needy in accordance with Chinese tradition.
A staff of the Oversee Service Chinese Center in Lagos, Mrs. Precious Nzewunun said that red in China tradition is to ward off evil and bring in good luck. There were live music, miming, raffle draw and fashion parade.