The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has welcomed back the beneficiaries of its education cooperation program, who recently graduated from Chang’an University, in China.
According to Jason Zhang, the chairman of CCECC, who addressed the beneficiaries in Abuja on Friday, sponsoring the beneficiaries to study in China was part of the company’s social responsibility, adding that efforts were ongoing to secure job opportunities for them.
He noted that education is the foundation upon which great nations are built, and the efforts of CCECC to foster the intellectual development of Nigerian students will turn out to be a rewarding experience for both the company and the country.
He said, ” As a vivid example of CCECC’s social responsibility, this education cooperation program, which is between CCECC, the government of Nigeria, and the best engineering universities in China like Chang’an University was initiated in the year 2018, and as for the moment, around 120 students have been benefited from this program. Meanwhile, another 70 students have been sponsored by CCECC and graduated from Central China University last year, totalling 190 students.
“For CCECC, by sponsoring these young minds to study engineering majors, which are urgently needed in the country, the company is showing the true spirit of giving back to society and is achieving its goal of carrying out the full industrial chain cooperation with technical knowhow transfer needed in the country,” he said.
He also noted that as a construction company, CCECC is fully devoted to delivering quality projects in Nigeria and has been working closely with the various Ministries and States in the construction of hundreds of projects, such as Railway of Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Kaduna-Kano, Abuja and Lagos Light Rails, New International Airport Terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, Kano-Katsina Road, Damaturu-Maiduguri Road, Aba- Port Harcourt Road.
Bags degree in engineering from Chang’an University, China
According to him, the company is also fulfilling its corporate social responsibility by donating at least 10 school buildings to the local communities and establishing the Federal University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State, to assist the technical know-how transfer and capability building in the country.
“In this whole process, CCECC has not only empowered these young people but has also contributed to the overall development of this great nation.
“To these students who have returned from China, please remember that with great privilege comes great responsibility. Let us sincerely hope that these young people who are shining with their smile and delight at this moment, could utilize the knowledge and experiences they have gained in China, to make more positive impact in their career life,” he added.
In his remarks, Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, urged other corporations to take cues from CCECC’s engagement in CSR, which would benefit Nigerians.
Represented by Amos Yohanna, he said, “The Cooperations should fertilise the economic ground they plant and reap from. They should invest in our young people.”
Also speaking at the event, Said Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, said that the company’s efforts were in alignment with the Federal Government’s National Local Content Policy for Railway development.
The local content policy according to him, emphasises the involvement of competent local engineers, technicians, and craftsmen in railway projects, ensuring knowledge transfer and technical participation through training and apprenticeship programs.
“The graduates, who specialised in railway and other transportation-related fields, are now set to play pivotal roles in Nigeria’s growing transportation sector.
“The CCECC has not only sponsored their education but is also committed to securing job opportunities within the company.
“This commitment reflects CCECC’s broader goal of integrating technical know-how and fostering industrial cooperation in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking further, Alkali urged the beneficiaries to leverage their newly acquired skills and knowledge to drive economic growth and modernisation.
