A Nigerian living in China, Ayodele Odeniyi, has been recognised by the provincial foreign affairs of the Liaoning Province in China as the most excellent translator in the Asian community.
Odeniyi claimed the coveted trophy at the fifth edition of ‘The most excellent translator in Liaoning’ speech contest award ceremony which was held in Liaoning University.
Award-winning contestants from different countries, staff of participating units in the province, including Chinese and foreign translation talents, performed recitations, speeches, choruses and other literary and artistic programs in various languages at the splendid showcase.
The speech contest effectively promoted the growth of foreign language talents in the province, and cultivated more people dedicated to cultural exchanges, making them powerful communicators of the Chinese language in Liaoning.
Among over 400 contestants that participated in this competition, Odeniyi was the only African and also the only black man to be among the 1st-prize winners.
Speaking to newsmen, he said; “First and foremost, I feel so honored to be mentioned and recognized amongst the best participants that emerged from this great contest.”
“It is for me a validation of the hard work I’ve been putting in these past few years learning Chinese language and more so an assurance of the brighter future that lies ahead. It is indeed a dream come true.”
The competition selected seven 1st-prize winners, fourteen 2nd-prize winners and twenty one 3rd-prize winners, five units won the ‘Excellent Organisation’ award.
Odeniyi has been living in China for five years and has made remarkable progress winning an award that even those who were born in the country did not win.