THISDAY

Integrate Chinese Language into Schools’ Curricular, NGO Tells FG

- Uchechukwu Nnaike

A Non-government­al Oganisatio­n (NGO), Initiative of African Friends of China has called on the federal government to introduce the teaching of Chinese Language in secondary schools across the country.

The President of the NGO, Mr. Fred Ogwazu, made the call while signing a Memorandum of Understand­ing (mou) with DBS Media Ltd, a Nigerian creative media content agency in Lagos recently. Ogwazu said the developmen­t if considered will tend to explore maximally the socio-economic corporatio­ns, educationa­l and cultural exchanges as well as technologi­cal and skills acquisitio­n.

He said in the new world order, Africa and China seem to have slots in common, hence the believe that Africa has so much opportunit­y in China and vice-versa.

“To further boost this advocacy, we have already concluded plans to commence the teaching of Chinese Language in some centres across Africa, starting from Nigeria. The Nigeria centre will be located in Abuja with business men and other interested persons as our target, while others will be cited in African countries such as Ethiopia and South Africa.

“Already, we have written to the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria to provide us with volunteer teachers for the language and we are sure to commence very soon.”

According to him, the developmen­t would also promote good ideas for indigenous African companies intending to partner Chinese companies and making recommenda­tions where necessary.

Ogwazu said the relationsh­ip between Nigeria and China has been growing by the day, following the commendabl­e activities of institutio­ns like Forum on China-Africa Corporatio­n and the China-Africa Developmen­t Fund.

“Initiative of African Friends of China is therefore calling for greater awareness among African government­s and private sectors to key into the developmen­tal opportunit­ies provided by the Chinese Government through this platform towards tackling most of Africa’s challenges.”

He said apart from advocating for the teaching of Chinese Language in schools across Nigeria and other African countries as a way of strengthen­ing socio-economic and cultural ties with China, the mou also seeks to connect opportunit­ies with investors through the provision of timely informatio­n.

He said such informatio­n is mainly on opportunit­ies available in China and in the continent. Ogwazu added that the mou was tailored around changing the perception of products and services exchange between China and other African countries and provide feedback channels where necessary among others.

“To also realise this, we in conjunctio­n with DBS Media Limited would implore the use of documentar­y videos and movies in creating the much needed awareness on the potential in Nigeria and Africa at large.

“Our partnershi­p with DBS Media is strategic as we intend to do a wellresear­ched documentar­y and video that will highlight the developmen­tal drives by Chinese Government to African nations.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director, DBS Media, Mr. Cletus Chukwuma, said he is looking forward to a fruitful working relationsh­ip with the associatio­n, as the agency has all it takes to meet its expectatio­ns. “We are not new in packing of quality contents that satisfies the curiosity of the viewing public.”

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