The learning of Chinese language has continued to gain traction in Nigeria as many young Nigerians see it as opportunity to make end meet.
This was the revelation at this year’s Chinese language Contest organised by the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCN) where 40 contestants slug it out to win the tournament and create a niche for themselves.
Many of the contestants are students from Chinese schools all over the country where they study the fast growing language in Nigeria.
The winner of the grand prize with cash reward of N250,000 in the competition, Chinecherem Ugwuanyi said she took to learning Chinese to better her lot by making herself employable.
Ugwuanyi, who is a student of Confucius Institute at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nsukka, said: “My first motivation is my family. Learning Chinese has six levels from HSK 1 to 6. When I began learning Chinese, I planned to learn just level 3 because I wanted to work in a company as a translator to give my family a better life.
“I wanted to help. My family is my first motivation. I wanted an opportunity for a better life because I knew a translating job could pay well.”
Ugwuanyi who believed that Chinese language though difficult to learn but learnable with dedication, said her message to other Nigerians interested in the language is that in anything, the beginning is always difficult but as long as you persist to the end, you will succeed.
She added that: “If you have a dream, know why you are chasing that dream. Forget about the noise, what people will say. Even what your own mind will say. Because at times you will be yourself’s enemy. Just believe and know that there is something that is in you greater than any other obstacle. For we have the mind of Christ.”
Speaking on step already taken to populace Chinese in Nigeria, the Director of the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria (CCCN), Mr Yang Jianxing said many centres have been built across the country for the learning of Chinese language.
He noted that competitions like this are to further motivate people to learn the language.
He said Chinese language is one of the major languages in the world considering the number of people that speak it, advising Nigerians to pick interest in learning it.
