Chinese firm pledges to boost Nigeria’s culture

From Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki

The China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has pledged to deepen its engagement with Nigerian communities by supporting the preservation and promotion of local customs and traditions, as part of efforts to strengthen cultural exchange and people-to-people relations between Nigeria and China.

The company’s Project Manager, Jin Haibing, made the commitment in a statement issued to newsmen after joining residents of Nchatancha Nike Community in Enugu State to celebrate the New Yam Festival, which coincided with China’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

Haibing said the joint celebration provided an opportunity for CCCC staff and members of the host community to come together, interact and explore ways of promoting local cultural traditions while strengthening friendship through cultural exchange.

He described the celebration as an important platform for fostering mutual understanding between people from different cultural backgrounds, noting that cultural activities could play a significant role in strengthening community relations and cooperation.

The New Yam Festival, popularly known as Iri Ji in Igbo culture, is one of the major traditional celebrations among the Igbo people, marking the harvest season and expressing gratitude while symbolising hopes for peace, prosperity and a better future.

Similarly, China’s Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally associated with family reunion, harmony and goodwill.

Haibing noted that despite the festivals originating from different cultural traditions, they share common values centred on harvest, happiness, unity and aspirations for a better life.

The celebration featured traditional prayers, goodwill messages, cultural displays, traditional dances and the ceremonial presentation of new yam, providing CCCC officials and community members an opportunity to experience and appreciate the cultural heritage of the host community.

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