The People’s Republic of China has assured the federal government of Nigeria of its continuous support in the education sector.
The Consul-General of the Chinese Consulate in Nigeria, Ms
Yan Yuqing gave the assurance at the launching of the free Chinese Online
Classroom Project, by the Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) in Igbesa,
Ogun State
The launching ceremony had in attendance Madame Wang Jinhong
chairman of Chinese Plus, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, Commissioner of Education,
Science and Technology, Ogun State, Professor Li Yonghe, President of Yunnan
Agricultural University represented by Professor Wei Hongjiang, Mr Deng Yu, CEO
of Guangdong New South Overseas Investment Holdings Co., Ltd, Mr Cai Guo, Vice
President of China Glass Holdings Co., Ltd and Mr Song Bin, General Manager of
Senda Group Nigeria Branch.
Yuqing while revealing that the project was in collaboration
with the Chinese Ministry of Education, said the Free Trade Zone Online Chinese
Classroom was a significant milestone in the cultural and economic
collaboration between Nigeria and China.
The initiative, she said aligned with President Xi Jinping’s
African development support, which “seeks to cultivate Chinese-speaking
talents, bolstering local economies and fostering mutual understanding”.
She said “The online class aims to foster cultural exchange
and strengthen Nigeria-China relations by offering Mandarin Chinese learning
opportunities to tertiary students and interested individuals. With a focus on
technology transfer, career enhancement, and global preparedness, the project
signifies OGFTZ’s commitment to facilitating a positive environment for
Nigerian and Chinese businesses”.
Madame Jinhong who emphasised the initiative’s goal of
making Chinese learning accessible worldwide through online courses and live
broadcasts, said the collaboration with Yunnan Agricultural University,
promised to cultivate proficient language speakers, equipped with vocational
skills, bridging cultures and creating opportunities for cooperation.
While speaking, the Deputy General Manager of China-Africa
Investment FZC, Kevin Liu, stressed that the key component of the program is to
equip the university undergraduates as well as widen their chances in skill
acquisition and economic empowerment.
He added that apart from the involvement of the academy
environment, the locals who are interested in learning the Chinese language
will also benefit from the programme.
He said, “I want to thank the Chinese Consulate General for
the support, the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Ogun State government
for the cooperation”.
According to him, “We are very confident that the project
will be successful and what we want is that the whole of Africa and Nigeria
will benefit from it all.”
One of the project coordinators, Madame Wang, explained that
the project is to bridge the gap that existed between the workers and the
experts, saying the aim is to transfer knowledge to the workers through
learning the language.
She said, “We want to improve the technical skills of the
workers, we want to be more localised. There is a gap between the knowledge and
vocational skills, our target is to bridge the gap”.
She disclosed that the organisers of the class are also
looking for avenues to develop a curriculum with the higher institutions in the
State.
Wang said over 600 persons have registered for the class
both physically and online.
Arigbabu however, assured the Chinese of the State
government support, saying the government would work with the project’s
organisers.
He said the government is ready to accommodate the teaching
of Chinese in its curriculum to improve knowledge as well as better
opportunities and empowerment.
Tongnyan David, one of the students, appreciated the Chinese
government for organising the free Chinese online class.
“I am happy to be part of this project. It will help me to
speak and learn the language which will enhance my skills and technical
know-how of the machines as well as earn big pay”.