12th Chinese Corner unveiled in Abuja amid funfair

By Stanley Onyekwere

As part of efforts to foster the education and cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria, the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB) has unveiled a new Chinese Corner inside Government Secondary School (GSS), Wuse Zone 3, which is its 12th of such facility in the city.
Our correspondent reports that the Chinese Embassy Nigeria had inaugurated the first Chinese Corner on the 16th February, 2013 at GSS Garki Area 10, in the nation’s capital city, is the 12th Corner with the FCT-SEB schools and the 13th nationwide.
Speaking yesterday at the commissioning of the Chinese Corner and award ceremony for the 2024 Chinese Ambassador Drawing Competition tagged “Nihao China”, the Director/Secretary FCT Secondary Education Board, Dr. Muhammed Sani Ladan said the initiative provides the students ample opportunities to learn mandarin and seek scholarships in China to further their studies.
Ladan noted that while the Chinese gain a cultural exposure to the young generation of Nigerians, the Nigerian students and staff on the other hand, gain capacity building, scholarship and educational support.
He added that Corners serve as a resource Center for Chinese education and also serves as hubs for cultural exchange between Nigeria and China.
Commenting on the Nihao China competition, the director noted that it is beneficial to the students, because it improves their artistic skills.
“I will like to let the Embassy know that we have not forgotten the support accorded our schools in the last year competition where Mr Prosper Dania from GSS Mpape won the global drawing competition on Chinese Taikonauts.
“He was sponsored to China, given the world best Award and his work is right now in Chinese space station with the Taikonauts.
“That was an extraordinary feat achieved by an FCT- SEB school in the world. The biggest thank you to the Chinese Embassy and the China Harbour Company for giving us this befitting Chinese Corner in the FCT. It is only FCT that have Chinese Corner Schools in the whole nation.”
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai who attended the event delivered a speech, described the facility as a wonderful Chinese Corner equipped with computers, Chinese books, films and several Chinese elements.
He expressed delight that over the years, there are many students benefited a lot from the Chinese Corner, as it provides the them with opportunities to explore the mysteries of the Chinese cultural.
He noted the importance to increase the understanding of diversity, which he said the Chinese Corner initiative is contributing to the cross culture communications in the fast changing world.
According to him, students by committing to learning the Chinese culture, dance and history, as it will broaden vision, and in the future they will become the cultural messengers and ambassadors of both countries.
He added that it is an opportunity and window to improve the good cooperation between the two countries.
On her part, Principal, G.S.S Wuse, Josephine Ugwu in her welcome remarks, noted that the initiative also demonstrates China’s commitment to cultural exchange, highlighting the vital role of culture and education in promoting strong and effective relationships between nations.
She said: “Through the various programs, language classes, arts, and cultural activities that will be hosted here, our students will have a unique opportunity to appreciate the rich traditions, philosophy, and innovations of Chinese civilization.
“We will ensure that the facility is maintained and secured, and that it will be used judiciously to achieve set objectives.”
Highpoint of the event was a colourful display of Nigeria-Chinese friendship through dancing and song presentation by students and teachers from the Chinese Corner as well as certificates presentation to winners of the painting competition.