UNILAG Celebrates Chinese Spring Festival In Style

THE Confucius Institute, University of Lagos, Akoka last week celebrated the Spring Festival in style.

Director of the Institute, Prof. Segun Awonusi, in his welcome remarks, said, “Spring festival is the most elaborate and colourful festival in China. It is to China, what Christmas is to the West and Thanksgiving to Americans. Today marks a new beginning, a New Year in China and because we have a Confucius institute in UNILAG, we are also part of the celebration globally.”

Commenting on what Nigeria hopes to gain from its relationship with China, Awonusi noted that China is not what it used to be five years ago.

According to him, the country is moving very fast and we have to emulate them not only in aping their custom, but also getting them to appreciate ours.

The don noted that the only way to catch up with country with its fast growing economy is for Nigerians to understand their language and use it to access their technology to develop the country.

Speaking at the event, the Chinese Director of the institute, Prof Jiang Lirong, noted that no matter where a Chinese is, he/she tries to reunite with his/her family to celebrate the festival.

Students and teachers of the institute put up a superlative performance, using Chinese. Also, students of the institute played games with students from selected secondary schools.

The festival, which is celebrated on the eve of the New Year, using the Chinese Lunar calendar, heralds Chinese New Year.