Nigeria – Chinese Bags Chieftaincy Title

The bilateral and cultural ties between China and Nigeria appear to be growing strong, this is coming in the light of the chieftaincy title that was awarded a Chinese national in Awka by Orji-ofo Igbo, a socio-cultural group in Anambra state.

Prof Job Yu Zhangbao the director of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka was honored with the Igbo chieftaincy title of Ezi Ozi ndi Igbo 1, interpreted Reliable Friend of the Igbo.

This chieftaincy conferment took place during the Oji-Ofor Cultural Festival in Awka, Anambra State.

The Chinese national is henceforth recognized as the first Chinese academia to be inducted into a chieftaincy institution in Nigeria, thus making him a bona fide cultural ambassador of Nigeria. Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Director, Information and Public Relations, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said this much during a chat with pressmen.

While speaking on behalf of the institutions’ students, the Students Union Government (SUG) President, Joseph Okafor, paid glowing tributes to Prof Zhangbao’s excellent human relations skills.

An overwhelmed Prof Zhangbao had this to say himself.

“This title is recognition of the contribution of the Chinese staff of the Confucius Institute at Nnamdi Azikiwe University to the growth of the Nigeria-China relations. I am so happy to become a red cap chief in Igbo land, Nigeria. The red cap is not for me; it is for all the Chinese teachers who are working at the Confucius Institute. It is a testament to their modest contribution to the effort to foster intercultural harmony across the Indian Ocean.”