Some 48 selected students of the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria have been awarded with N100,000 each by the Chinese government as assistance to their educational pursuit.
The gesture was part of the Nigeria-China educational collaboration tagged ‘October 1st Scholarship for China-Nigeria Friendship’.
Speaking on behalf of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjiang, the Deputy Ambassador, Mr. Zhao Yong, said the award was the second one by the Chinese Embassy to selected “intelligent students of ABU.”
He added: “ABU, as one of the best universities in Nigeria, has a long standing relationship with China. Apart from scholarship award, China has commissioned a new language laboratory at ABU. Since the enlistment of diplomatic ties in 1971 between China and Nigeria, the friendship and cooperation have delivered tangible benefits to the two nations.
“In terms of investment, the accumulated China non-financial investment in Nigeria approaches $2.8 billion, contributing significantly to local economy and job creation.”
Pingjiang said Nigeria is now China’s second largest export market and the third largest trading partner and major investment destination in Africa.
Responding, Vice Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, said the support the university was getting from China was immeasurable, saying that the Chinese language teacher provided to ABU by China was adding value to the relationship.
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