July 6, 2024 (By Jiang Xuan) China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Nigeria Limited held a welcome ceremony in the capital city of Abuja on July 5 to celebrate the return of the second batch of 74 Nigerian students jointly trained by CCECC and the Federal Government of Nigeria, who recently completed their studies in China.

At the welcoming ceremony, Ibrahim Hadja, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Nigerian President, extended a warm welcome to the returning students. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for sponsoring and nurturing 194 talented Nigerians. He stated that Nigeria's infrastructure construction is accelerating and international students will inject new vitality into the Country's infrastructure development. He looks forward to their swift integration into the workforce to promote high-quality social development and serve as envoys and bridges for friendly cooperation between China and Nigeria.

The Minister of Transport, Saidou Alkali, expressed his gratitude to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation for its strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility. He hopes that students will not only excel as infrastructure builders but also integrate the advanced knowledge and concepts acquired during their studies in China to shoulder social responsibilities and drive the development and progress of Nigeria.

Wang Yingqi, Minister-Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, stated that the joint training program is another exemplary model of shared development and win-win cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and vividly reflecting the capacity-building cooperation between China and Africa and serving as a strong testament to the extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit upheld by both China and Nigeria. He hopes that international students will contribute the strength of China to the development of Nigeria through their experience of education in China, while serving as envoys of China-Nigerian cultural exchange to enhance mutual cultural understanding and people-to-people bonds.

Zhang Zhichen, Assistant General Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and Executive Director of CCECC Nigeria Limited, extended his congratulations to Nigerian students on their successful completion of studies and return to their homeland, while warmly welcoming their joining CCECC. He expressed his hope that more local talented people would be cultivated to introduce the state-of-art technology and management experience of China to continuously improve the local technological level, disseminate Chinese knowledge and culture, and promote friendly cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and Africa.

The Nigerian student representative, Ghillie from Maiduguri, Borno State, expressed in his speech gratitude to the governments of China and Nigeria, as well as to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Chang’an University for providing Nigerian students with a platform to realize their dreams. He said, "the five-year experience of living and study in China since 2019 has taught us much 'fishing' knowledge. We will strive to turn this knowledge into valuable assets and serve as envoys of China-Nigeria friendship."

At the ceremony, the student representative also signed a letter of employment intent on-site with CCECC Nigeria Limited. Godwin, who studied Railway IT Technology at Chang'an University, stated: "Joining CCECC is an honor and thrill. I will apply the expertise gained in China to benefit our society and improve livelihood."

The past 43 years witnessed CCECC’s being deeply rooted in the Nigerian market, thoroughly implementing national strategic initiatives, actively advancing the nine programs of China-Africa cooperation and cultivating a large number of highly skilled professionals for African countries.