Promotion of cultural ties between the China and Nigeria facilitated by the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka attained another positive level when the Director of the institute, Prof. Job Yu Zhangbao, was honoured with a title from the Southeast, reports ALOYSIUS ATTAH.
China-Nigeria cultural ties were strengthened when the Director of the Chinese Confucius Institute, Prof. Job Yu Zhangbao, a Chinese, was honoured with a chieftaincy title from the Southeast.
Zhangbao was honoured with Ezi Oyi 1 (Reliable friend) title. With the title, Zhangbao has been inducted into Igbo chief-taincy institution.
The title was given during the Oji-Ofor cultural festival in the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK). The festival was organised by the university in conjunction with the Students’ Union Government (SUG).
The colourful carnival, which held at the Convocation Arena, had in attendance the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Frederick Odibo; the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Stanley Udedi; the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Mr. Uche Nworah, and among others.
According to the UNZIK’s Director, Information and Public Relations Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, Prof. Zhangbao has set three records with his chieftaincy title.
Ojukwu stated: “Firstly, it is now on record that Prof. Yu is the first Chinese academic and cultural ambassador to become a chief in Nigeria.
In fact, the four Chinese residents in the country who have also received chieftaincy titles are entrepreneurs, not academics. With this title, he now straddles two cultures – African and Asian.
“Secondly, he has gone down in history as the first Chinese to become a traditional title holder (chief) in Southeast Nigeria.
Those four Chinese chiefs received their titles from the North. Thirdly, he is overwhelmed by the rapidity of the recognition, because he has worked in Nigeria for just less than two years, whereas those four Chinese entrepreneurs who have also received chieftaincy titles have lived in the country for 10 years and more.”
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the title was recognition of the contribution of the Chinese staff of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University to the growth of the Nigeria-China relations.
The Chinese Confucius Institute has fostered cultural and knowledge synergy between both countries and their citizens so far, adding that it “has opened hitherto closed doors not only to UNIZIK but also to Nigeria as a country.
“Prof Zhangbao has excellent human relations. His efforts at rendering outstanding services to the university and Igbo people in general are commendable.
The Confucius Institute was established in June 2008 under a partnership between the university and Xiamen University, Fujian Province, China. Our Institute, under his direction, has made huge tremendous strides.
The institute has produced more than 15,000 alumni.More than 10,000 of the alumni are working as translators, interpreters, managers, public relations consultants, company supervisors, teachers, etc. in Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana,” he said.
Overwhelmed by the rare recognition, Zhangbao said: “I am so happy to become a red cap chief in Igbo land, Nigeria. The red cap is not for me; it is for all the Chinese teachers who are working at the Confucius Institute.
It is a testament to their modest contribution to the effort to foster intercultural harmony across the Indian Ocean.”
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While x-raying the beginning and gains made from the institute, he recalled its success story: “21 students from our CI sat for the advanced HSKK (oral examination).
Their pass rate was 100%. The pass rate and the total number of those who passed the examination were the highest in the world. A total of 22 students from the 528 Confucius Institutes in 146 countries sat for the examination.
“Anthony Ekwensi, who at the time had studied Chinese for only 18 months, emerged the African champion and the number four in the world in the 2018, “Chinese Bridge” Competition that took place in China .
He disclosed that Ekwensi has been offered a master’s degree scholarship in China. Also last year, another alumnus, Mr. Harford Michael, who is now pursuing a Ph.D in China, emerged the world champion at the ”Contest in China of Chinese Teaching for Candidates of Master Degree”.
He beat native speakers in that competition. Our CI has won the “Award for Excellent Confucius Institute in the World” two times, in 2015 and in 2017.”
Renowned Ekpili music minstrel, Prince Morocco Maduka; the Igbodiegwu cultural troupe; the Ijele masquerade performed at the festival. There was also traditional wrestling, but not leaving fashion competition and local dish preparations.
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