The director, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCN), Mr Yang Jianxing, says culture and creativity are the foundations of national development and driving force of social progress.
Yang who said this at the 13th China-Nigeria Culture Fiesta 2025 dancing competition and award ceremony of the “China-Nigeria Friendship” yesterday in Abuja noted that
the event was aimed at promoting cultural exchange between China and Nigeria.
Organised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secondary Education Board (SEB), the fiesta was aimed at enhancing people-to-people communication between both countries.
Yang also highlighted the significance of the event in fostering cultural exchange and nurturing internationally-minded students.
“This event is not only a platform for promoting friendship between China and Nigeria, but also a vivid demonstration of the close cooperation between our two countries in culture and education,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of cultural education in shaping young minds and broadening horizons.
“Culture is the foundation of national development and the driving force of social progress. China and Nigeria are cultural giants with a long history.
“This fiesta aims to enable people to understand Chinese culture and its people to promote China-Nigeria friendship,” the envoy said.
He added that culture had played an important role in the historical process of the two countries’ national independence and revitalisation.
Yang commended the students for their dedication to mastering dance routines and creating imaginative artworks.
The envoy noted that the heart and passion behind each performance were as important as their technical skills.
“When the music starts and you begin to dance, you are not just showing technique, but also your understanding and love for the cultures of both countries,” he said.
The drawing competition showcased a wide array of creative expressions, from contemporary cartoon illustrations to artistic depictions of China-Nigeria friendship.
Yang praised the youthful imagination on display, noting that even small imperfections reflected the students’ pure and heartfelt vision for the future.
He added that the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, and the Cultural Centre had been working with the FCT SEB to jointly hold the annual China-Nigeria Cultural Fiesta.
Director/Secretary, FCT SEB, Dr Mohammed Ladan, expressed appreciation to the Cultural Counselor and the Chinese Embassy for sponsoring the event annually and providing prizes to the schools.
Ladan said the event had been going on annually for more than a decade.
“The event showcases Nigerian and Chinese arts in the form of dances, thereby, promoting cultural exchange between the duo and the 12 Chinese Corner Students.
“Our collaboration has been of mutual benefit and we look forward to more beneficial cooperation,” he said.
Ladan also said the SEB would continue to promote Chinese culture in FCT schools and Nigeria as a whole to improve cultural exchange in Nigeria-China’s 51 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the dancing competition among 12 public secondary schools in Abuja.
This was done in two main categories – the Chinese dance and the Nigerian dance.
Cash prizes, which included 200,000 naira, 150,000 naira, 100,000 naira and 50,000, were given to various winners of the drawing competition.(NAN)
