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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The People’s Education Press (PEP) of China, has donated 900 volumes of international Chinese learning textbooks and English editions to 13 secondary schools spread across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The recipient schools, which had Chinese Corner established within their domain, were Government Secondary School, Jabi; Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3; Government Secondary School, Life Camp; Government Day Secondary School, Dutse; Army Day Secondary School, Apo; Model Secondary School, Maitama and Government Secondary School, Byazhin.
Others are Government Secondary School, Mpape; Government Secondary School, Wuse 2; Government Secondary School, Apo; Government Secondary School, Garki; Rahamat Schools and Government Secondary School, Asokoro.
Speaking virtually during the presentation, the President of the People’s Education Press, Huang Qiang, extended his sincere greetings and gratitude to all the friends who have long cared for and supported cultural and educational exchanges between China and Nigeria.
Huang recalled that last October, he led a delegation to Abuja, where they visited the FCT Secondary Education Board, the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, and held in-depth discussions with the Director/Secretary, FCT Secondary Education Board, Muhammed Sani Ladan and the Cultural Counsellor, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing, exploring the bright prospects of educational cooperation between our two countries.
Huang further said the visit gave him a deep impression about the strong interest of Nigerian teachers and students in Chinese culture and their eager anticipation for high-quality international Chinese language educational resources.
“In recent years, under the relentless efforts of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, the Chinese Corners have taken root in 13 high schools in Abuja, becoming an important window for Nigerian youth to learn about China and study Chinese. Relying on Nigerian teachers trained by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, the Chinese Corners teach local students’ Chinese and cultural knowledge, organising various cultural exchange activities, serving as a vital platform for cultural interactions between the peoples of China and Nigeria.
“During our visit, we learned that the Chinese Corners are currently facing a shortage of high-quality international Chinese learning textbooks and Chinese culture books, which to some extent, affects the high-level delivery of teaching activities.
“After returning to China, with the coordination and assistance of Counsellor Yang Jianxing, PEP selected over 900 volumes of international Chinese learning textbooks and English editions of Chinese culture books based on the needs of the Chinese Corner in Nigeria.
These books have now been delivered to Nigeria, providing renewed energy and support for the further development of the Chinese Corners,” Huang said.
He also said as an important force in China’s educational publishing sector, PEP has long been committed to the research and development of international Chinese learning materials and promoting Chinese culture globally.
“We understand that high-quality book resources are the foundation of cultural and educational exchanges. This time, PEP donated books to the 13 Chinese Corners schools and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, we hope to provide stronger support for Nigerian students in learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture, and to contribute PEP’s share to the Chinese Corners’ teaching and cultural transmission.
“The year 2025 marks the beginning of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Action Plan. It is our shared responsibility to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the meeting between the leaders of China and Nigeria, and to promote mutual learning between our civilisations and closer bonds between our peoples. PEP is willing to take this donation as an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation with the Chinese embassy in Nigeria and Nigerian educational institutions, providing more high-quality resources and services for international Chinese language education and cultural exchanges in Nigeria, and helping to cultivate more inheritors and promoters of China-Nigeria friendship,” he stated.
Also speaking, Yang said the cross-border attention from PEP, is a vivid reflection of the friendly bond between China and Nigeria, which is best described by the Chinese, saying that, “Distance cannot separate true friends; even thousands of miles apart, we are still neighbours.”
“On behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the Chinese Cultural Centre in Nigeria, I would like to extend a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to all Chinese and Nigerian guests, as well as friends from the media who have attended this event,” Yang said.
In his remarks, Ladan said the laudable gesture was only made possible by the ever supportive role of the Chinese embassy in Nigeria.
He recalled that some months ago, the executives of the People’s Education Press came all the way from Beijing for a courtesy visit to Nigeria and in particular to FCT-SEB.
“That was a great honour done to us and it gave birth to this philanthropic donation we are about to witness today,” Ladan said.
