By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Ogbalu Pearl Chukwugozirim and Chidera Nwankwo have emerged over all winners at the 2023 Korean Language Speech and Writing Contest.
This is contained in a.statement issued in Abuja on thursday by the Director of Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria, Mr Kim Chang-gi.
He stated that for the Korean Language Speech Contest, Chukwugozirim emerged winner, Chidera Nwankwo clinched the second position and Ossai Joy Elo won the third position respectively.
Chang-gi noted that Chidera Nwankwo who came second in the speech contest category, also won the first prize for the writing contest.
He added that Eke Joy Onyinyechi and Franca-Frank Akaaza emerged second and third respectively on the writing contest category.
He said that the speech contest titled “Cities in Korea that I Want to Visit and the City I want to introduce’ and the writing contest had a title `Why Am I Learning Korean language and Culture?
According to Chang-gi, before now, the contest has been held only in Federal Capital Territory. Abuja.
“But this time, by conducting an online participation, many hidden Korean speakers living in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan and other states participated.
“In the speech contest, participants expressed their desire to visit various cities that they learned about through K-dramas, such as Busan, Jeju Island, Jinju, and Daegu.”
According to Korean cultural director, they have introduced the distinctive cities in their host country and further enriched the presentation.
“In particular, Beverly Otabor, a participant in the contest, said that she wanted to walk on the beach with the blue sea in Busan..
“Meanwhile in writing contest, Chidera, who won first place and second place in the speaking category, said that he started to study Korean language on his own in 2018.
“After that, he was able to learn more profound expressions of the Korean language through online` King Sejong Institute’ lectures.
“He said that he would like to take this opportunity to go to Korea and that he would like to study Korean more in the future,’’ Chang-gi said
He stated that Chukwugozirim started learning Korean language in December 2019, adding that she is a watcher of Korean dramas and enjoys learning leaning Korean ballads for some time.
“According to her, the language is very fascinating to her and she is in love with the pronunciations, expression and mannerisms.
“I study using textbooks and workbooks- mostly TTMIK, watching dramas often and listening to Korean music.
“I also occasionally watch BTS live broadcasts without subtitles and engage in calls with local speakers through applications.
“For winning this contest, I feel honoured. It honestly still feels like a dream and I’m yet to process it. I worked really hard, but I’m sure everyone else did as well, so I’m really grateful.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
