A team of Chinese citizens led by the Director of Confucius Institute, Nigeria, Professor Yu Zhangbao today, Wednesday, November 20, 2024, promised massive investments into Nnamdi Azikiwe University especially in the areas 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, 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, Dr. Anas Elochukwu, the Vice-Chancellor, 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 VC stated.

He also thanked the staff and the students 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.

Also speaking, the Head, Department of Chinese studies, Elochukwu said the Confucius Institute that birthed the Department “We will continue to do our best to promote the language and our relationship with the government of China.”

High point of the visit featured the presentation of an award, a T-shirt, a Fez cap among other gifts sent to the Vice-Chancellor by the Chinese Embassy in support and solidarity with his promised visionary leadership of the institution as the 7thsubstantive Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

The best performing students from the institution who came tops in a recent Language Competition organized by the institute globally were also part of the delegation.

•PHOTO: Chinese Director, Prof Yu, with UNIZIK VC, Prof Odoh, University Bursar, Gozie Egwuatu, Dr Anas Elochukwu and the Chinese delegation during a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor in Awka