Turkish Cultural Institute to boost Nigerian economy, promote friendship

Mr Macit Koc, Director of Yunus Emre Enstitusu, a Turkish Cultural Centre, Abuja, says the centre will promote cultural interaction, friendship and boost the nation's economy.

Koc spoke on Sunday at a news conference as part of the activities to inaugurate the centre in Abuja as 64th branch of Yunus Emre Enstitusu around the world.

Supreme gathered that Yunus Emre Enstitusu is a public foundation which was established in 2009.

It has opened more 60 branches around the world. Abuja centre will be 64th branch.

Koc said that the centre would reach out to Nigerians through culture and teaching of Turkish Language for the mutual benefits of the two countries.

We believe that one's language is a person. So, Turkey being the strongest economy, largest crowd country, we give opportunities to your people to learn the language, culture and make connections.

Turkey hosts huge population, particularly a large African communities attending our universities as part of scholarship programmes.

We are opened to anybody from children to the housewives, businessmen to the high school students.

We don't sell education, we are non government's organisation, which belongs to the Republic of Turkey, he said.

Also, Babir Turna, Head of Human Resources, Yunus Emre Enstitusu, said that the purpose of the centre in Abuja was not to impose Turkish Language on people, but to create opportunities for Nigerians.

"Non of the countries we operate as institute have used Turkish as communication language. We are here because this institute will create opportunities for local people.

"When you learn Turkish, there will be opportunities to work in Turkey and acquire more skills," Turna said.

Mehmat Karabus, Director of Yunus Emre Enstitusu, London Branch, said, "Yunus Emre is a Turkish poet, who lived century in Ethiopia.

"He is well known in Turkey and he is a symbol of cultural interaction around the world.

"We have chosen his name because he symbolises a lot of things for us. His poetry emphasises and stresses the need for friendship and brotherhood," Karabus said.