The Chinese government on Thursday presented scholarships to deserving teachers and students of selected primary and junior secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja.
A total of 51 tutors and 51 learners representing 51 years of bilateral ties between Nigeria and China received the scholarship at an event held at China Assisted Model Primary School, Nyanya, Abuja.
In his welcome address, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun who was represented at the event by his wife Liang Huili said the scholarship is a testament to China’s resolve in prioritizing the educational advancement of Nigeria.
“As you know, education is the basis for the development of a country, so educational exchange and cooperation between China and Nigeria is always our priority. Solving the difficulties you face is our greatest pursuit. What we strive to do is to provide students with a good learning environment. Since we know that students are the future of Nigeria, well-educated students are more capable of building a more beautiful Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier in his remark, Hassan Sule, Acting Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) who was represented at the event by Mrs Justina Power thanked the Chinese government for the gesture and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds to improve their educational capacities.
He appealed to the Chinese government to consider the re-introduction of the FCT staff training program which was put on hold following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese Embassy in 2007, FCT UBEB has enjoyed numerous educational support from the Chinese government.
Some of these include the donation of the China-Assisted Primary School, Nyanya and a study centre in Junior Secondary School, Area 11. In 2013, The Chinese Embassy spent N6.82 million to award scholarships to 682 students selected from 137 primary and junior secondary schools in the FCT. Also in 2016, a total of N12 million was spent by the Embassy to provide scholarships to 1000 students in the capital territory.
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