De Chinese language, Mandarin, don join de list of foreign languages wey dem go teach for Senior Secondary Schools all over Nigeria, inside de new curriculum wey dem just review
Dis one na Dr. Danlami Hayyo, Education Secretary for Federal Capital Territory, yarn dis tori on Tuesday when dem open Chinese Corner for Government Secondary School Tudun Wada, Abuja. Na China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, de biggest Chinese construction company for Nigeria, sponsor dis project as part of dem Corporate Social Responsibility.
Hayyo talk say FCT education board bin dey forward-thinking as dem introduce Mandarin for schools for FCT before dis new curriculum review. E talk say: “I wan tell una say for de recent review of our curriculum, dem don pick Chinese language as one of de international languages wey dem go teach for Senior Secondary Schools. Dis mean say FCT bin dey very sharp to bring dis subject through Chinese corners early. Chinese Mandarin get de highest number of speakers for de world, and today e don turn language of business, education, and tourism. Our decision to dive into Chinese education and culture na wise move.”
De FCT Education Secretary also yarn say de new centre wey dem open on Tuesday na de 14th Chinese Corner for Abuja. E talk say dem establish dis centres for secondary schools across de Federal Capital city. E say: “Dis bilateral relationship don lead to de creation of 13 Chinese corners, and today we dey commission de 14th one for G.S.S Tudun Wada.”
E add say dis corners don really boost education and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China. E don open window for better understanding and appreciation of our different cultures, and e don give students chance to pursue further education for China. E also talk say staff and teachers don benefit from dis collaboration as dem don go for capacity building for China. E say: “Today, we dey proud to say na only FCT get Chinese Corner for schools for de whole federation.”
On behalf of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, de Education Secretary thank Chinese government and Embassy for dia support to promote people-to-people exchange for everybody good. E quote Chinese proverb: “Hai nei Cun zhiji tianya ruo bi lin” (a close friend make far place feel near).
De Chinese Counselor, Yang Jianxing, yarn say de idea of Chinese Corner come from China appreciation for de good relationship between dem and Nigeria. E explain say: “Twelve years ago, because of de love for China-Nigeria friendship and hope for cultural exchange, Chinese Embassy for Nigeria and FCT Secondary Education Board join hands to set up ‘Chinese Corner’ as special platform for cultural and educational exchange. For over ten years, dis small platform don turn link wey connect Chinese and Nigerian cultures, bridge wey bring young people heart closer, and one of de most popular cultural spots for teachers and students for Abuja. For students, ‘Chinese Corner’ no be just classroom to learn Chinese and experience Chinese culture, but window to see de world. Chinese na one of de most spoken languages for de world.”
E add say: “Chinese diplomatic missions for Nigeria go continue to support China-Nigeria cooperation for areas like culture and education, and keep pushing for closer China-Africa and China-Nigeria community with shared future. Today, dis ‘Chinese Corner’ inauguration no be de end, but new starting point for cultural exchange between China and Nigeria.” For e welcome address, Dr. Muhammed Ladan, Director/Secretary of FCT Secondary Education Board, say dis initiative na proof of strong bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria.
E stress say de initiative “dey aim to promote mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange.” E point out say “Chinese Corners no just dey foster people-to-people exchange but to provide resources for learning Mandarin and possible scholarship to China. E also dey to strengthen diplomatic ties through artistic collaboration.”
E give background say: “FCT–SEB start for 2013 with de first one for G.S.S Garki, before dem add eleven more for 2014. By 2024, dem add one more for G.S.S Wuse Zone 3, and dis year, dem go add two more, thanks to big Chinese companies for Nigeria.”
