By Muhammad M. Isa
The Management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has sent a delegation to the Embassy of China in Abuja to commiserate with the government and people of China over the unfortunate outbreak of Coronavirus in the country that has killed hundreds of Chinese and infected several other hundreds.
The ABU delegation which was under the leadership of the Director of the Institution’s Directorate of Advancement, Professor Muhammadu Kabiru Aliyu commended the prompt efforts of Chinese government in curbing wild spread of the deadly Virus in China, called on the Chinese government to do all that is within its powers to extend support and protection to ABU students who are officially on a study program fully sponsored by the Chinese government at Changsha, Central South University.
Professor Aliyu who assured that, “we are confident that China will overcome the threats,” however prayed to the Almighty God to come to the rescue of all the people affected by the Virus in China and in other parts of the world.
Professor Aliyu told the Ambassador that since the commencement of Chinese language as one of the international languages in the university, about two years ago, there has been encouraging and anticipated surge in the number of candidates interested in learning the Chinese language.
He therefore appealed to the Ambassador to facilitate the provision of more lecturers to compliment efforts of the Pioneer Chinese language lecturer, Mr. Zhaou, alias Malam Jumare, who is currently overworked.
The professor who also stressed the importance of the Confucious Institute which the Chinese government offered to establish in the University, following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), two years ago, requested for the quick intervention of the Embassy to start the Institute, which he said was overdue.
The Cultural Counselor, Mr. Li Xuda, who represented the Ambassador, said the Embassy is quite grateful for the ABU’s concern on the outbreak of the Covid 19. He however promised to make a request and follow up on the new additional Chinese language teacher for ABU. He also promised to ensure more scholarship for students of the university, and ensure immediate take off of the Institute.