By Othuke Evroh
A total of 72 Nigerian graduates were on Friday, accorded a special welcoming ceremony upon their return to Nigeria after completing their five year sponsored programme in China.
The graduates, sponsored by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, to study different courses ranging from, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Rail Transportation, Road and Bridge to Information and Communication Technology, at the Chang’an University in Shan Xi Province, China, were welcomed in a cheerful ceremony at the Ladi Kwali hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja.
The high point of the event was the signing of the International Agreement of Employment between CCECC and the students.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. David Wang, the Managing Director of CCECC Nigeria Limited, stated that since 2018, CCECC has been collaborating with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Ministry of Transportation and Chang’an University.
”Since 2018, CCECC has collaborated with the Federal Government, Ministry of Transportation and Chang’an University to select and sponsor young Nigerians to further their education in China. Under this programme, the students sponsored by CCECC underwent a 1 year language study in Chinese before officially enrolling in their 4 year undergraduate programme in Chang’an University, known as 1 plus 4 programme”.
”This initiative has benefited 40 students who have already returned to Nigeria after graduation last year and the remaining 72 students have also successfully completed their academic journey in China this year”.
Mr. David Wang also stated that CCECC initiated this programme as part of its corporate social responsibility in an attempt to enhance Nigeria’s human capacity development.
”CCECC has consistently upheld its pledge to ‘stride with Nigeria’ by sponsoring capability building and transferring technical know-how to young people. Today as we witness this joyous moment, we celebrate not only the achievements of these young students but also the spirit of international cooperation and collaboration between the government of Nigeria, CCECC and Chang’an University. It is through the combined effort of these parties that the lives of these young people have been transformed, he stated.
Mr. Yakubu Kofarmata, Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Works in his goodwill message expressed his gratitude to CCECC for giving education to the nation.
”I am personally and officially delighted with CCECC. Give education to a nation and that nation will surely prosper. The friendship between CCECC and Nigeria can not, at present, be measured by what they do. In terms of infrastructure development, it has now cascaded down to even human development. And I would like to use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works and the Nigerian Federation to thank CCECC for this wonderful contribution”, he stated.
The Chairman of CCECC Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jason Zhang, in his speech, stated that CCECC came into Nigeria in 1981.
”In 1981, CCECC made its first presence in Nigeria. After 43 years of development, the company has turned into one of the largest infrastructure companies in the country. Its business covers the construction of railways, highways, bridges and airports and it is committed to striding with Nigeria and has been investing in the development of free trade zones and real estates”.
”As a construction company valuing diligence, integrity and perseverance, CCECC is fully devoted to delivering quality projects in Nigeria and has been working closely with the various Ministries and States in the construction of hundreds of projects, such as Railway of Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Kaduna-Kano, Abuja and Lagos Light Rails, New international Airport Terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt and establishing the Federal University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State, among others”.
Mr Jason further stated that as part of its corporate social responsibility, CCECC has enhanced an educational cooperation programme with the government of Nigeria and the best engineering universities in China like Chang’an University.
”As for the moment, around 120 students have benefited from this programme in Chang’an University. Meanwhile, another 70 students have been sponsored by CCECC and graduated from Central China University last year, totalling 190 students”.
”For CCECC, by sponsoring these young minds to study engineering majors, which are urgently needed in the country, the company is showing the true spirit of giving back to the society and is achieving its goal of carrying out the full industrial chain cooperation with technical know-how transfer needed in the country”, he said.
”In this whole process, CCECC has not only empowered these young people but has also contributed to the overall development of this great nation”, he stated.
The Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Nigeria, Mr. Wang Yingqi, while delivering his goodwill message congratulated the graduates for successfully completing their programme at the Chang’an University.
”While you have showcased your excellence through hard work and wisdom, your achievements belong not only to yourself but also your families who are always behind you”.
”My appreciation goes to CCECC for sponsoring this wonderful scholarship programme for Nigeria’s much needed engineers, construction talent in future. The company has been consistently practising corporate social responsibility. In their projects in Nigeria, CCECC are not only committed to engineering constructions but also activities, engaged in community development, environmental protection and charity activities. CCECC has been committed to grooming skills and manpower plans for Nigerian workers and others in every diverse way. This laudable effort is in tandem with the plan of President XI Jinping at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the Forum of China-African Cooperation”.
”The scholarship programme is a model for boosting bilateral cooperation and exchange in human resources training and the Belt and Road Initiative and the benefits are far reaching. Youth is the future of every country. In the near future, you are about to embark on a new journey, embracing a broader world. May your experience inspire other Nigerian students to make full use of what you have earned in China to be the new hope for the renewed hope agenda of your country. And by preaching for mutual understanding and cooperation between our two great countries”, he stated.
Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, Honourable Minister of Transportation, stated that the project was executed by CCECC as part of its corporate social responsibility to Nigeria.
”In order to ensure indigenous participation in the development and operation of industries, the Federal Government developed the National Local Content Policy for Railway Development. Specifically, the Federal Government further introduced the Advocacy for Enhanced Local Content in Nigeria infrastructure development based on Nigeria-China bilateral agreement. And thereafter, directed the Federal Ministry of Transportation to ensure technical participation of competent and qualified local engineers, technicians and craftsmen in all facets of Nigeria-China Railway Infrastructure Development Projects”.
”Currently, over 190 young Nigerians have been sent to the People’s Republic of China to study various and other transportation related courses which are being sponsored by CCECC as part of its corporate social responsibility”.
”To CCECC, I wish to use this medium to appreciate you and assure you that the Federal Government relationship with your company will continue to enjoy sustainability as long as you maintain the standard and quality project executed and professionalism. As you look forward for more opportunities to mobilize another batch for similar studies consistent with the National Content Policy Railway Development, it is my pleasure to assure your company of the Federal Ministry of Transportation commitment to sustain this relationship, to expand the economic sphere through efficient transport service as vehicular tool for realizing the renewed hope agenda of our country”, he concluded.
The Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, in his goodwill address, congratulated the graduates for the successful completion of their programmes and entreated them to be proud citizens of Nigeria. The Speaker further alluded to the fact that CCECC is a very responsible company.
”CCECC is a responsible company because the programme under which our sons and daughters benefited from is a provision of the law. It is a provision of the law that every company, even Government agencies, put in place a provision for corporate social responsibility. I have never seen any company, maybe they are sleeping on it or they are making it unknown to us. I have never seen any company that has come out to do what CCECC is doing. We should say so. We have the referral in the house that some companies be investigated. While some companies were running away from appearing before the relevant committees of the house, CCECC stood out. They came and presented their documents. It shows that this company is a responsible company and they should be commended”.
”Nigeria has had a very long relationship with China, I just got back from China with the Minister for Foreign Affairs to further cement our mutual bilateral beneficial relationship. I am aware that Mr. President will be in China by September and our observation in China is that this is a nation, even with their achievements, they are 50 years ahead of the world, but yet, they are very, very humble. We have a lot to learn from China. Please, please show us the way, show us the secret in the power sector, in the transport sector”, he declared.
Amadi Oromachi, a graduate of the programme expressed great delight at the completion of the programme and expressed her profound gratitude to CCECC. Hear her;
”I spent 5 years in China to study and I also learnt a lot both in the engineering profession, as well as the language and culture of the Chinese. There were no challenges and I truly enjoyed myself at Chang’an University”.
Abdulmajeed Musa, another graduate of the programme and his father expressed their appreciation thus;
”I studied transportation engineering and I am truly grateful to CCECC, the Government of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. I benefited a lot. For instance, I enjoyed the opportunity of enjoying a very sound education and the wonderful culture of the Chinese people. There were no challenges at all. I can proudly speak Chinese fluently”.
Mr. Adamu Umar, the father of Abdulmajeed stated that;
”Today is one of my happiest days. From what I can now see in my son, it is a plus”, he declared cheerfully.
My name is Kingsley Ebube. The programme was not easy, but I give God the glory. I personally did not experience any challenges but rather, I got more exposed to good life because China is obviously more developed than Nigeria. My appreciation goes to CCECC, the Chinese Government and the Government of my country, Nigeria”.
