The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja Prof Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah said urged Nigerian youths to learn certain values from the Japanese culture.
He said despite the enormity of its development, the Japanese still keep their culture ensuring that children speak their language.
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“Look at the Japanese culture. Here we found parents that have stopped teaching their children their mother tongue. What do you want them to become? Imbibe in them in your culture. You are throwing away your culture for Western culture. Japan has not done that. China has not done that. China is a great nation in the world these examples we want to bring to Nigeria,” he said.
Prof Na’Allah who spoke at the first Japan International Cooperation Agency Chair held at the school said the school’s Japanese Language and Cultural Institute (JLCI) will be instrumental in ensuring young people begin translating the lessons learnt from Japanese culture into practicalities.
The Chief Representative, JICA Nigeria Office, Mr Yuzurio Susumu emphasised the need to bridge the gap between Japan and Nigeria adding the about 2,000 Nigerians already learning Japanese in help in this regard.
The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi in his remarks said the Meiji Restoration signified the birth of the transition from non-western culture to modernity in Japan. He said the transition was not only in dress but also in the social system and the mindsets of the Japanese people.
JICA Chair supports the establishment of Japanese Studies universities in developing countries. It aims to share Japan’s development experience and the maiden event was hosted by the University of Abuja.
