The first Russian educational space in a school in Niger

Photo: The African Initiative

The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (PFUR) named after Patrice Lumumba has opened the first Russian educational space in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The opening ceremony took place at the Centre Eveil ecole Artistique Petits Pas school on April 5, reports the African Initiative.

The opening and the signing of cooperation agreements were attended by students and their parents, officials from the Nigerian Ministry of Education and other honoured guests. Teachers of the school prepared stands dedicated to outstanding Russian writers and poets, achievements of Soviet and Russian science and Russian landmarks. Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the anthems of Russia and Niger were played.

“It was an honour to receive the PFUR delegation for the first time and to be a pioneer in promoting the Russian language and culture,” said Amina Gagara da Silva, headmistress of the school, in her speech. – It is a great advantage for us and our children, and our co-operation opens the door for limitless development”.

Tamara da Silva, the school’s founder and architect, thanked the delegation in Russian, while Gagara da Silva, a former student of a Soviet university and representative of the school, praised the quality of the Russian education he brought to Niger from the USSR in the 1960s. “With Russia, we can build a better Niger,” da Silva said.

Professor and coordinator of Russian language centres in Africa Habiba Shagbanova in her speech stressed that Centre Eveil ecole Artistique Petits Pas is an example of an exemplary school in Niger and in the whole of Africa.

The school’s dance instructor introduced the Russian delegation to a traditional Nigerian dance, and a trio of dancers performed in Afro-dance style wearing Vladimir Putin T-shirts. The Youth Parliament of the school delivered a speech to the PFUR and Russian delegation.

In conclusion, Natalia Pomortseva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences and Head of the Russian Language Department of PFUR, held an impromptu Russian language lesson for everyone, where they got acquainted with the Russian alphabet, learnt basic phrases in Russian and sang Russian songs.

Russian Space is a unique platform for students and teachers of the school to study Russian language, culture and literature, which is specially designed to give Nigerians the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of the Russian language, its traditions and history.

read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs