By Ochiaka Ugwu
The Nigeria Government has revealed that cultural exchange with China was not only an avenue for artistic interaction but also serves as opportunity to explore new partnership, creative collaboration, tourism opportunities, skills development and avenues for young Nigerians to participate in the global creative economy.
Permanent Secretary of Nigerian Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim who made this known Thursday at the occasion of “Shared Moon, Shared Moment, Meet in Africa — Hunan Culture and Tourism in Nigeria” held at China Cultural Centre in Abuja said they were delighted to be part of the cultural exchange programme, stating the team beautifully captures the spirit of friendship, shared humanity and mutual understanding that connects China and Nigeria.
Ibrahim represented by a senior official from the Ministry, Musa Alhamdu said the event was far much more than a performance, but a celebration of Nigeria-China friendship, cultural diversity, mutual respect and people-to-people exchange.
He said the relationship between the two countries has continued to expand across several areas including culture, agricultural, education, infrastructure, trade and other fields of socio-economic development.
He emphasized that the support and collaboration facilitated through the Chinese embassy and the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria have contributed to creating opportunities for cultural practitioners and audience to engage with one another.
Commending the visiting musical troupe from China’s Hunan Province, Ibrahim said their rich programme of song, dance, theatre, acrobatic arts and shadow art represent an important dimension of Chinese remarkable cultural heritage.
He said the participation of institutions dedicated to the protection, preservation, inheritance and promotion of traditional cultural expression was especially commendable.
He however, called for the continued building on Nigeria, China friendship and to exploit even more opportunities for meaningful cultural cooperation between the two nations.
In her remarks, Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration, Mrs. Olubunmi Olowokere, noted that Abuja provided vital chances for synergy with Hunan in cultural exchange, creative industries, heritage promotion, tourism development, skills development and preservation of traditional arts.
She described culture as offer of first platform through which people from different nations bond, integrate and assimilate one another’s ways of life.
While calling for the establishment of long-term institutional partnerships rather than limiting cultural cooperation to one-day celebrations, she tasked cultural practitioners, artists, cultural institutions, tourism professionals, museums, cultural centres, performing arts organisations and creative entrepreneurs from both countries to develop partnerships.
In his welcome remarks, the Cultural Counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and Director of China Cultural Centre, Yang Jianxing who thanked the members of the Hunan cultural and arts delegation for gracing the event reminded them that their visit was not only about sharing the beauty of Chinese culture and art, but also for building greater mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Nigeria and China.
He informed that Mid-Autumn Festival which would be celebrated the next day holds a very special place in Chinese culture, noting that the full moon reminds one of his loved ones; and that the family reunion dinner represents the warmth of family.
He said the Mid-Autumn Festival reflects some of the most cherished values of Chinese culture, the importance they attach to family, the warmth of reunion, pursuit of harmony, and their longing for peace.
Yang said the sentiments also resonate deeply with Nigeria’s rich cultural traditions, stating that China and Nigeria were thousands of miles apart, but their shared appreciation of family, friendship and a better life brings their hearts closer together.
The event was attended by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, E.Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, represented by Musa Alhamdu, Leader of Hunan Culture and art delegation, Mr. Liu Yuanbin, Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, Executive Secretary of Nigeria Press Council, Dilli Ezughah.
Others include: Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat of FCTA, Olubunmi Olowokere, Permanent Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Joy Okeke Chinwe, Chairman of the society of Nigerian Artists, Muhammad Sulaiman Designated Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Mr. Li Xun and many senior government officials.
The Hunan Art Troupe were on hand to thrill the audience with wonderful performances, which were met with resounding applause and admiration from the audience.
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