The Chinese Cultural Counsellor/Director, Chinese Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Yan Xiangdong, has stated that, his Centre would readily partner the Institute on some critical areas of its programmes.

He stated this when he came on a return visit to the Institute’s headquarters at No. 23, Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, on Wednesday, 25th  March, 2015, with some officials of the Centre, adding that, they were in the Institute to explore areas of mutual corporation.

Responding to an earlier presentation by the Executive Secretary of the Institute, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, on the possible areas of intervention on the Institute’s programmes, Xiangdong said that the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria could partner the Institute through provision of vital information about cultural activities in China and also facilitating participation in any of those cultural events that might be of interest.

He further enquired about the location of the permanent site of the Institute, still under construction in Kuje Area Council, stating that in the short term, the Centre could partner the Institute by encouraging Chinese workers in the country, who are interested in learning Nigerian culture: language, dress and food culture to patronise NICO.

In the area of training, Xiangdong said that, the Centre had started a partnership in the education sector with the Nigerian Education Resource Centre (ERC), but would also like to partner NICO in facilitating Chinese professional teachers to develop Chinese language curriculum in the Institute’s Training School, and that the Institute should furnish the Centre on its needs in the area of ICT facilities.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, while welcoming the Chinese delegation, gave a detailed elaborate PowerPoint presentation brief on the Institute, encompassing its history, mission, vision, mandate, activities and programmes, noting that funding has been a major hindrance in the Management’s desire to carry out its programmes and activities effectively.

The Executive Secretary further enumerated possible areas of intervention, including construction of the Access Road to the permanent site at Kuje; building of a proposed 1000-Seater Auditorium with audio-visual facilities; furnishing of its library and classroom blocks; assistance in capacity building programmes; and funding of major orientation programmes of the Institute.

He further solicited the Chinese Cultural Centre to render support in order to the Institute to sustain its National Conference on Culture, Peace and National Security for Traditional Rulers; supporting the NICO Promoting Nigerian Dress Culture initiative; and, above all, the Institute’s hosting of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA) Annual International Conference in August 2015.

With the Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Yan Xiangdong, were the Programmes Officer, Mr. Jide Joseph, the Cultural Attaché in the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, Ms Wang Qimeng, and Mr. You, who has just been posted to the Centre three weeks ago.

Also in attendance were Directors and Management Staffers of NICO, including the Director, Admin. & Human Resources, Barr. Abayomi Oyelola, mni; Director, Research & Documentation, Prince Dele Olusa; Director, Finance & Accounts, Mr. Godson Ordu; Director, Orientation & Cultural Affairs, Mr. Alex Omijie; Deputy Director, Research & Documentation, Mr. Michael Ekoko; Assistant Directors – Mrs. Jane Anigala (Admin.), Mrs. Fatima Mustapha (Corporate Affairs), Mrs. Franka Okoro (Orientation & Cultural Affairs), Mr. Herbert Ogbe (ES Office), and other supporting staff.

Toruka Dominica, Dumotein Davis & Amaka Nnoaham

Corporate Affairs Unit

NICO, Abuja