The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja has pledged more support to promote education, cultural exchange and cooperation in schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Embassy made the pledge during the exhibition of drawings by students of FCT Secondary schools who participated in 2020 China Image Drawing Competition organized by the Chinese Embassy in August.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition which was themed “The Strength of China-Nigeria Solidarity in Defeating COVID-19”, depicted the role of frontline health workers in combating the pandemic.
Speaking to NAN on the side line of the event, Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, pledged the Embassy’s readiness and willingness to work together with the FCT Education Board.
He said that the Embassy would further promote the educational exchange and cooperation, and embrace a better future full of hope for Nigerian students.
“When we view the exhibition, through those beautiful paintings we can see that Nigerian talented students expressed their respects to Chinese and Nigerian doctors and health workers who are fighting COVID-19 in the forefront.
“The students extended their best wishes for the solidarity and cooperation, with which we will definitely defeat the pandemic.
“Their works serve as a cultural bridge, they are really young cultural Ambassadors to our two countries.
“Now we are planning to jointly host a Medical Lecture on prevention of COVID-19 later this month.
“Our annual big event “China-Nigeria Cultural Fiesta” will surely kick off later this year even if we will present them in a new way under the new normal.
“This October, the Chinese Embassy donated a dozen of power generators to China Corners, including the Chinese Corner here to solve the power shortage and provide better learning environment.
“Today, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I donated some books, Bluetooth speakers, teaching materials, football and basketball for sports games.
“I hope it will help students make progress in studies and keep them in good health,” Li said.
Li said that 2021 will mark the 50th Anniversary of the bilateral ties between China and Nigeria, and the Embassy is convinced that both countries have offered mutual support and fight shoulder to shoulder in the face of COVID-19.
Mr Yahaya Muhammad, Chairman, FCT Secondary Education Board who also spoke to NAN, appreciated the Chinese government for its unrelenting support at improving education and learning in FCT schools.
Muhammad said that the Chinese corners in FCT schools have gone beyond Chinese learning centres as students use facilities in the centre to learn across all spheres.
He said that the drawing competition also served to keep the students engaged at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic during the lock-down when education activities were on standstill.
“The relationship between Nigeria and China has been an age long one, it is an exercise that goes to reaffirm the relationship.
“We have the Chinese corners in our schools and we have gotten a lot of assistance from China with regards to our senior secondary schools in the FCT.
“During the lockdown, the exercise actually took place to keep the student busy throughout the pandemic period.
“It was done through the school management system through which a lot of activities were conducted.
“A lot of online services were being provided through which students could get themselves abreast of the happening,” Muhammad said. (NAN)
