The Heat: Presidents of Nigeria, Sierra Leone at UN70

The Heat

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

When China’s President Xi Jinping addressed the United Nations earlier this week, development and aid for Africa was a major part of his focus. One of those countries keenly interested in what President Xi had to say was Nigeria.

It is Africa’s most populous nation and its largest economy. The country is also battling the Islamic insurgent group, Boko Haram.
The Heat sat down recently with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss these issues.

On Chinese President Xi’s comments about Africa at the UN:

“It was very impressive and something that Nigeria has already started benefiting from…”

On Mandarin being taught in African schools:

“Communication is very important. Learning languages from other cultures helps broaden your view…”

One of several African leaders addressing the UN here in New York this week was Ernest Bai Koroma, the President of Sierra Leone. His country was hard hit last year when about four thousand people died in the Ebola epidemic.

On Sierra Leone coming out of war and getting back on track as a country:

“when a country comes from war it requires the whole infrastructure, you have to start from scratch.”

On what China is doing for Sierra Leone:

China has helped “in the way of grants to grow the road network” and other infrastructure projects.