By NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, says preparations are on to begin broadcasting in Mandarin, China’s official language.

Ndace made this known when he led the VON management team on a courtesy visit to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Yu Dunhai in Abuja.

Ndace said that adding Mandarin would increase the VON’s broadcast languages to nine.

He explained that currently, VON broadcasts in eight languages which include Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulfude,  English, French, Arabic and Swahili.

“The purpose of our visit is to get the final nod so that we can move very fast. Me and my team have set all the instruments in motion to ensure that once we begin, it will be sustained.

“The initiative aligns with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu. We are keen on doing this, because we have a president who is looking towards China,” Ndace said.

According to him, the initiative would help to shape positive narratives about the two countries in the global community as well as encourage exchange of programmes and ideas.

“VON will continue to set positive narratives about Nigeria, Africa and China. Everywhere I go on the continent of Africa I see Chinese people doing amazing jobs,” Ndace said.

In his response, Dunhai said the move would deepen implementation of media to media cooperation signed between Nigeria and China during President Tinubu’s State visit to China.

Dunhai said the initiative is a milestone in the bilateral relations between China and Nigeria.

“I am sure that this new initiative will certainly promote cultural exchange.

“In 2023 the Chinese President put forward a global civilisation initiative advocating for civilisation exchanges.

“In China, we believe that there is no civilisation that is superior to the other. All civilisations make contributions to humanity, and both China and Nigeria are proud of their civilisations,” Dunhai said. (NAN)