By LIZZY OKOJI

The Chinese Embassy in Abuja has rewarded 50 students of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria with five million naira for their outstanding academic performance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun presented the awards to the students on Wednesday during a virtual ceremony.

“Several years ago, considering the fact that China’s National Day and Nigeria’s Independence Day were being celebrated on the same day “Oct. 1, the Chinese Embassy picked on Oct. 1 as a day for celebrating China-Nigeria friendship to reward excellent students in a chosen universities, and ABU is certainly one of them.

“In my eyes, Ahmadu Bello University is definitely one of the best universities in Nigeria, and we are very proud to say that the Chinese Embassy has long-time good relationship with ABU.

“So it’s really my great pleasure to present the scholarship award to 50 excellent ABU students,” Cui said.

He added that the Chinese government and its companies operating in Nigeria have continued to build infrastructure in Nigerian institutions of learning as its contribution to developing education the sector.

“I know that several years ago, the famous Chinese Company, CCECC helped ABU build a new language laboratory and a beautiful garden which surely shows the positive enhancement of China-Nigeria relationship.

“In addition, with support from the Chinese Embassy, a well-qualified Chinese teacher Mr. Zhao Wenjie was sent to ABU to teach Chinese language, he really created a platform for university students to learn Chinese culture.

“The mutual understanding between our people has been largely improved. In terms of the Embassy and ABU’s good relationship, there are so many beautiful things happening in recent years that I can’t mention them all.

“I always say that education is the foundation for a better future, and the well-educated young are the future of a country.

“Now standing at a new historical starting point and facing a big change unseen in a century, I sincerely hope that our students can cherish your precious time and golden opportunity.

“Study hard and keep making progress, go all out to become a builder of Nigerian social development and progress, a contributor to China-Nigeria future cooperation,” Cui said.

Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice Chancellor, ABU expressed appreciation to the Chinese government and the embassy for their support.

Bala said the cash award would go a long way towards encouraging the students and spur others to strive for academic excellence.

“I would like to begin by expressing my deep appreciation for another set of Oct. 1″ Ambassadorial Scholarship to 50 best students of the University. The award is really an honour to the University.

“I am also glad to inform you that the scholarship award to 47 48 ABU students in 2018 and 2019 respectively had already made a big impact on the learning propensities of the beneficiary students.

“Similarly, the new wards will certainly continue to rekindle long time, strong and productive relationship between Peoples Republic of China and ABU, and by extension the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“This scholarship came at a time when the recently concluded Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Dakar, Senegal made an important recommendation.

“For the need of China and African Countries to further expand exchanges and cooperation in the areas of Education, Science and Technology etc.

“It also came a: a time of hardship, economic downturn arising from COVID 19 scourge and the rising insecurity in the country.

“The University have been benefiting immensely from this relationship.

“I could remember, over a hundred of our students were given study scholarships to China.

“Under the 3-2 scholarship scheme in various fields of specialisations at undergraduate, masters and PhD level. (NAN)

•PHOTO: Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun presenting an award of five million naira to Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria for 50 outstanding students of the institution on Wednesday in Abuja

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