Government Secondary School Garki has emerged winner of the China Dance category of the 12th China-Nigeria Culture Fiesta 2024 Dancing Competition.
Government Secondary School Jabi and Government Day Secondary School Dutse came joint second, as Government Secondary School Apo, Army Day Secondary School, Asokoro and Government Girls Secondary School Dutse were tied at the third position.
While on the Nigerian dance category, Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse took the top spot.
Government Secondary School, Mpape and Government Secondary School Dutse emerged joint second.
Three schools, Government Secondary School Gwarinpa, Government Day Secondary School Wuse lI and Government Secondary School, Garki came third.
The consolations prize went to Rahma School, Suleja, Government Secondary School, Jabi and Government Secondary School, Byazhin.
Twelve selected secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory participated in the annual competion.
Addressing the participants earlier, the Cultural Counsellor, China Embassy who doubled as the Director, China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Yang Jianxing said the fiesta was part of activities lined up to enhance the existing bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria.
“I am very happy that today we are welcoming the annual China-Nigeria Cultural Festival.
“Chinese Corner is not only a window to understand China, but also a symbol of China-Nigeria friendship,” he said.
Expressing his appreciation to the FCT Secondary Education Board and schools with Chinese Corner for their strong support and partnership, the Chinese Embassy’s Cultural Counsellor said the relationship would improve the learning skills of Chinese language.
“Please allow me to express my heartfelt thanks to the FCT Secondary Education Board and the schools with Chinese Corner for your strong support!
“In the Chinese Corner, students can learn Chinese, watch Chinese films, learn Chinese dance and music, and participate in many cultural exchange activities.
“9 days ago, we just celebrated the official Opening of the 13th Chinese Corner at GSS Wuse Zone 3, and at the same time presented awards to the winners of the Hello China Painting Competition.
“Today, students from 12 Chinese Corner schools will bring their carefully practiced Chinese dances. I look forward to seeing your wonderful performances. I also hope that everyone can enjoy the happiness brought by the competition.
“I wish you all achieve excellent results and hope that Through the study of the corner, everyone can better understand and love Chinese culture and Chinese people, and become the inheritors and promoters of China-Nigeria friendship in the future,” he added.
The Secretary, FCT, Secondary Education Board, Dr. Muhammed Ladan, said the China-Nigeria Cultural Fiesta is a cultural exchange programme that showcases Nigerian and Chinese dances by the FCT-Secondary Education Board Chinese Corner Schools.
Represented by the Director, Co-Curricular, Hajia Fatima Gambo, the Secretary said, the annual event provides an avenue for students to engage practically in the cultural exchange and provides good prizes that the school uses in the improvement of teaching and learning.
…”Ilt may interest you to know that the Fiesta has become a household name among our students and the nation at large, the students have been improving day by day in their performances and the public is enjoying it the more too. It has also given the Chinese Corner popularity and an official recognition by the Chinese government.
“On this feat, salute the Chinese Corner Schools for their relentless effort in keeping the Fiesta a memorable occasion and the Chinese Embassy for the sponsorship and support of the annual event.
“Moreover, I would like to use this medium to once again appreciate the Chinese Embassy for the recent donation of yet another Chinese Corner in G.S.S Wuse Zone 3. The establishment of the corner will avail the students at the school the opportunity to have an educational and cultural exchange with the fastest developing country in the world, the Peoples’ Republic of China,” he said.
He also appreciated the Chinese government on the recent agreement with the Peoples’ Education Press China, for educational assistance to schools in the nation’s capital.
“We thank the Embassy on the recent agreement with the Peoples’ Education Press China, for educational assistance to our schools. We are sincerely grateful. We have not also forgotten the training of our three staff recently on Wushu in China. The Board is very appreciative of that gesture but wish to let the Embassy know that we intend to step- down the training to students at our Chinese Corner Schools, in doing so, we may still need the assistance of the Embassy, but the Board too, will do the best it could to support the step-down.
“…I wish to thank the Embassy of the Peoples’ Republic of China Nigeria, for their annual sponsorship of this event. The Co-curricular Division of the FCT Secondary Education Board for their dedication in ensuring that the annual event is constant and standard.
“The Chinese Corner School Principals too are highly appreciated for their commitment to the day to day running of the corners. The Students of the Chinese Corner Schools are equally appreciated for being good Cultural Ambassadors. Make a good use of the corners in your school to achieve academic success,” he concluded.
