UNIZIK, Chinese Govt Partner On Language Studies

A team of Chinese citizens led by the Director of Confucius Institute, Nigeria, Professor Yu Zhangbao has promised massive investments in Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK ), Awka, Anambra State, especially in the area of promoting the vision and language studies of the Confucius Institute.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the vice-chancellor of the institution, Professor Benard Odoh, yesterday at the university, the Government of the Republic of China, through its Language Centre Director, Professor Bao conveyed a message of congratulations from the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, maintaining that they have implicit confidence in the ability of the new vice-chancellor to discharge his duties effectively and turn things around for the benefit of the institution especially as it concerns Chinese Language Studies and other areas of economic and social interests.

Receiving the team led by the Head, Department of Chinese Language Studies in the university, Dr. Anas Elochukwu, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odoh commended the Chinese government for the initiative.

Professor Odoh said “Let me thank you and your team for providing the leadership for the Directorate. Out of over 1,300 centres, we emerged in the top 20. It is commendable and we would do whatever we are expected to do to support you. Feel free anytime to reach me and we will give you whatever support we would need to give. We want to rank among the top 5 before the next five years.”

The UNIZIK’s new VC also commended the staff and the students of the university for their efforts in promoting the programme.

“You guys have all done well and I understand the value of what you are doing to promote the language and support us. We will do our best to support the graduates of the programme”, Odoh pledged.

The head of the Department of Chinese Studies, Elochukwu, said the Confucius Institute that birthed the Department will continue to do its best to promote the language and its relationship with the government of China.