In fulfilment of its corporate social responsibility leading construction giant, CCECC Nigeria Limited on Wednesday hosted 65 Nigerian students sponsored by the company for university education in China.
The students who attended Central South University and Chang’an University for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Road, Bridge and River Engineering among others were received at the CCECC headquarters in Abuja following their return to Nigeria on July 4, 2023.
Zhang Zhichen, Chairman of CCECC in his welcome address congratulated the students for the successful completion of their studies and expressed the willingness to provide automatic employment to those willing to work with the company.
Zhang said he hopes the students can “apply the knowledge and skills learnt in China to their work and contribute to the economic and social development of Nigeria and become ambassadors of the friendship between Chinese and Nigerian people.”
Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jianchun in his remarks said the feat achieved by the students is a demonstration of how countries can cooperate and jointly educate future talents.
Mr Cui stated that students are typical examples of China-Africa cooperation in capacity building and the epitome of in-depth cooperation between China and Nigeria.
“The students will be the promoters of cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria, and will play active roles in enhancing mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples.”
Also speaking, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, Mrs Nko Esuabana Asante said the graduates who are now valuable assets to Nigeria will contribute to the development of their country, especially in the transport and engineering sectors.
Representatives of the students thanked the Chinese and Nigerian governments, CCECC and the universities for providing them with quality education and skills needed to become productive members of society.
Highlight of the event was the signing of an MoU for the graduates to begin their internship program with the Chinese company.
CCECC has so far sponsored 197 students to China with 92 completing their studies in transport construction and engineering-related courses.
Since commencing operation in Nigeria in 1981, CCECC has undertaken the construction of over 120 critical projects in railways, urban rail transit, highways, bridges, municipal works, building construction, waterworks, and airports.
Some of its landmark projects include the Abuja-Kaduna railway, Abuja Rail Mass Transit, Lagos-Ibadan Railway, Lagos Blue Rail, New Terminal Buildings of International Airports at Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt and the Lagos-Badagry Highway.
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