Close to its 20 years of operation, the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, China took another step in a steady advancement with the inauguration of the China-Africa Media Research and Communication Center.
The event that held at the Institute in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province on May 30 was graced by the Vice President of the University, Prof. Zhang Jianzhen who unveiled the plaque and plate of the Centre alongside Ikenna Emewu, Nigerian journalist who was appointed the pioneer African Director.
The Institute, a trailblazing academic citadel targeted at research and studies on Africa and issues relating to the intellectual foundation of China-Africa cooperation prior to this had 10 specialised centres on various targeted fields about Africa.
The event also featured the formal presentation of a certificate of appointment by Prof. Wang Heng to Emewu as the African Director to pilot the affairs of the new Centre for five years.
Emewu is to chair the Centre alongside a Chinese Director, Dr. Li Zhaoying who has a good stint of research in African universities.
In his opening speech, the Director General and Dean of the Institute, Prof. Liu Hongwu challenged Emewu to take the appointment with full commitment and put in his best to lay a good foundation for the Centre as the maiden director.
Liu, a foremost Chinese expert in African studies also tasked him and the Chinese Director to integrate their experiences in the media, and research to turn the Centre to a model for China, Africa and the world to emulate.
He extolled Emewu for his consistence in the past 10 years in China-Africa research, and journalism focus that has led to his three published books, 21 speeches at international conferences, and hundreds of published research articles on China-Africa cooperation.
He reminded him that it is his tenacity, sincerity of purpose and works with the Institute in the past that stood him out for the appointment, urging him to do more for the old objective of his.
Liu urged Emewu and Li, the Chinese director to work as a pair of experts with diverse experiences in core journalism and research to drive meaningful research in media and communication that will extenuate the renown of the Institute.
He told them that the target of the Centre is to place IASZNU in the core of global reckoning as a place of extraordinary appeal in deepening the intellectual base of China-Africa cooperation, and also set agenda for the governments of the two worlds in their policy directives.
Emewu, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Africa China Economy Magazine has garnered close to 30 years of mainstream media practice experience in Nigeria and China. In his practice stint in China, he reported for the prestigious People’s Daily, has been contributing editor to major Chinese media platforms such as Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, which his media organisation is a partner of.
Emewu has also been contributing editor to CGTN, China Daily, Guangming, Asia Pacific News, Beijing Economy Magazine, Belt and Road News Network, and others.
Before setting up the Africa China Economy Magazine, Emewu worked for Thisday Newspaper and The Sun Newspaper in Nigeria where he rose to the position of Editor, Nation’s Capital and Editor Online as well as the Beijing Bureau Chief.
Likeswise, Li is an experienced academic and researcher in African studies, and currently undergoing field research in a South African university.
The two directors also gave speeches at the inauguration. While Emewu’s keynote lecture was on Media and Public Awareness as Key Drivers of IASZNU Objectives and Sustainability, Li centered her speech on the need for integration of efforts to drive China-Africa Media Research Center that will set the right agenda for China-Africa diplomacy, people-to-people cooperation and the sustainable commitment of the two sides of the Global South.
Ms. Yan Yuqing, the Chinese Consul General in Lagos in her speech delivered online at the inauguration applauded IASZNU for this new centre which she said is expected to be a huge addition to the works of the institute to create the right condition for China-Africa relations to be a sample in Global South Cooperation, the China-Nigeria blossoming relationship, and in line with the FOCAC framework.
She congratulated Emewu who she said has been a reliable partner in the effort to entrench a good China-Nigeria/Africa relationship.
Other speakers at the inauguration included the representative of China Central Media, Ms. Song Ping, Dr. Wang Yan, Deputy Director of Nigerian Study Centre, Ms. Shan Min, Director of Research Administration and International Cooperation Office, and Ms. Cheng Dengyu, Editor-in-Charge, InZhejiang website, ZICC.
From the African side, speakers such as Nigerian economic intelligence journalist, Mr. Nik Ogbulie, Publisher of Money Report, Lagos, Mr.Douglas Okwatch, Editor, Producer, Planner, CGTN Africa Bureau, and Mr. Silence Charumbira, Managing Editor, Africa News 24 commended the IASZNU for the new stride.
The event was moderated by Mr. Yang Kai and Dr. Zhang Qiaowen, both deputy directors at the Institute.
