The Consul-General of China in Lagos, Mr. Chao Xiaoliang (centre) commissioning the borehole joined by (from left) the director of Confucius Institute, Prof. Segun Awonusi,, Deputy VC Management Services, Prof. Ben Oghojagor both of UNILAG, MD, CCC, Mr. Ye Shuijin, VC UNILAG, Prof. Rahman Bello and others.
In furtherance with its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in Nigeria, the Chinese Consulate in Lagos has donated a state-of-the-art borehole to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.
The project, which was executed under the framework of ‘China-Africa People-to-People Friendship Action’, was handed over to the university authorities by the Consul General of China (CGC) in Lagos, His Excellency, Mr. Chao Xiaoliang at a ceremony, recently.
According to the Consul General, the project, which is located within the Faculty of Education, was meant to enhance water supply on campus and make the university environment more conducive for teaching and learning.
Xiaoliang explained that the ‘China-Africa People-to-People Friendship Action’ is aimed at fostering better relations between Chinese companies and their host countries. He noted that the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos began operation 34 years ago and has been paying attention to public sector needs as its CSR in Nigeria.
“We pay a lot of attention on public activities as our CSR in Nigeria such as yearly donation of material and food, combating flood and disaster, supporting development of communities in several states in Nigeria.
“We decided to donate this borehole as soon as we realised there’s lack of portable water in the campus of UNILAG. Now, we fulfill this CSR by completing this project with good quality. We hope it will be an effective way to abate the shortage of portable water here.”
Xiaoliang pledged that the Consulate would continue to identify with the developmentt of the university.
“We hope to learn from your successful experience and strengthen cooperation with you, and also take part in the development of this university together with you, because we believe that friendship and cooperation will empower development,” he added.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the ‘China-Africa People-to-People Friendship Action’ plaque to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Rahamon Bello.
In his response, Bello appreciated the Consulate for selecting the institution to benefit from its CSR programme, assuring that the university would make good use of the facility.
He, however, stressed that the infrastructural needs of the university were largely unsatisfied and appealed to other consulates and corporate organizations in the country to emulate the Chinese Consulate General in Lagos and come to the aid of the institution, adding that government cannot do it alone.