Happy new year,新年快乐, Xīnnián kuàilè. These were the words that filled the mouths of many people who had gathered at the Banquet Hall, besides the Casino located inside the popular China Town, Ojota, Lagos, where the events heralding the eve of Chinese Lunar new year took place on the 27th January, 2017. The occasion was put together by the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Lagos.
Welcoming the guests who comprised of both Chinese Nationals, Nigerians and people from other countries, Mr. Jackson Sun Gouping, the Head of Chinese Overseas Service Center in Nigeria, who doubles as the founder of the China town in Lagos, revealed 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 , 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.
In his speech, the 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 said.
Mr. President, according to his Media man, Femi Adesina has sent a good will to the Chinese Communities in Nigeria before travelling out.
President Muhammadu Buhari who felicitated with Chinese community in Nigeria and across the world on the celebration of the country’s Lunar New Year also known as Spring Festival, which begins on Jan. 28, opined that the year of Rooster for the celebration of the Chinese Community in Nigeria and all over the world has commenced on 28 January, this year.
“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.
“This (Chinese) 2017 year’s event is the year of the Rooster”.According to Mrs. Dorothy Johnson, the head of Human Resources at Huawei, Nigeria and co-incidentally the daughter of Nigerian former Ambassador to Nigeria, 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 who studied in China concluded.
Qiu Yuanping, the Minister for Overseas Chinese Affairs Office had her goodwill speech televised for the audience to here, as she wishes them good health (身体健康 (shen tǐ jiàn kang).
Phillip Tung, a director with WEMPCO, a well-known multinational company in Nigeria, who was one of the VIPs at the occasion 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.
Conspicuously present were the Children of Ijamido (orphanage) Home, Sango Ota. Coincidentally, pupils, of The Pinefield Montessori school, Lekki, Lagos who were on excursion to the China town were given the opportunity of savouring the moments and some other schools too!
Red envelopes (hóng bāo) also known as gift bags were giving to the needy in accordance with Chinese tradition
A staff of the Oversee Service Chinese Center in Lagos, Mrs. Precious Nzewunun, who had once worked and lived in China, said that the red in China tradition is to ward off evil and bring in good luck. There were live music, miming, raffle draw and fashion parade.
Chinese people showed their rich cultural life via cuisine such as dumpling; Yue; Shīzi Tóu or "lion's head; Songshu Guiyu or Mandarin fish; also , dance , music, displaying of art works were showcased,
As the hosts were displaying how to prepare their native foods, guests were also taught how to prepare the cuisine. Ingredients were brought out and Nigerians were carried along in learning and cooking them.
Intermittently, the occasion far away in China , were been beamed live to those in Nigeria in order to be part of the fun back home.
Many notable guests were drawn from all walks of life.
新年進步 (xin nián jìn bù) “May the New Year bring much better things”, so say the Chinese.
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Displaying of Chinese local Cuisine during the Chinese 2017 Lunar
New Year Festival organized by the Chinese Community in
Nigeria, under the auspices of the Overseas Chinese
Service Center, Lagos office, Nigeria.
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| More guests during the Chinese 2017 Lunar New Year Festival organized by the Chinese Community in Nigeria, under the auspices of the Overseas Chinese Service center, Lagos office, Nigeria. |
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| Cuisine section where hands were on hand to learn more during the Chinese 2017 Lunar New Year Festival organized by the Chinese Community in Nigeria, under the auspices of the Overseas Chinese Service center, Lagos office, Nigeria. |
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| From left: Mr. Phillip Tung, the WEMPCO Director; Chao Xiaoliang ,Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos office; and Mr. Jackson Sun Guoping,Director, Overseas Chinese Service Center in Nigeria, during the Chinese 2017 Lunar New Year. Festival organized by the Chinese Community in Nigeria, under the auspices of the Overseas Chinese center, Lagos office,Nigeria |
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| Chao Xiaoliang , the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos office; and Mr. Jackson Sun Guoping,Director, Overseas Chinese Service Center in Nigeria, flanked by the Children of Ijamido Orphanage Home, during the Chinese 2017 New Year Festival organized by the Chinese Community in Nigeria, under the auspices of the Overseas Chinese center, Lagos office, Nigeria |