Nigeria, India to consolidate cultural ties

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Mr. B.N Reddy has said there is a need to consolidate on the long standing cultural relationship between Nigeria and India.
Reddy made this known when the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC)Otunba Runsewe with his team paid him a courtesy call at the Indian High Commission in Abuja recently.
The High commissioner said Nigeria and India shared a lot of similarities in terms of culture, music, history and language, stressing that there is need to now fully leverage on these cultural similarities for the benefit of both countries.
The Indian high commissioner, took the NCAC team round their premises to visualize the various mosaic artworks on display within the building depicting the rise of India via an artistic rendition of the rising sun.
According to Mr. Reddy, the national flower, the lotus placed in the centre with closed buds heralds the promise of the blossoms which symbolizes hope for the future just as the tiger and peacock represents their national animal and bird.
He further enlightened the visitors that India had twenty eight states with different languages and culture saying they will be explored in the forthcoming cultural event slated for 28th April and 5th May this year in Abuja.
In his words, “it is natural we collaborate with Nigeria who also has a very rich cultural heritage in terms of tradition, music, culture, food and languages. He promise to invite renowned artists from India to grace the occasion.”
In his response, the Director-General, NCAC Otunba Segun Runsewe praised the High Commissioner for his visionary leadership and his vigor towards repositioning the Indian High Commission in Nigeria. He promised to play vital roles towards reawakening the strong cultural ties between Nigeria and India.
Otunba said, “Mosaic is a great cultural representation which is worthy of celebration. Since 1963, Nigeria and India have always had a formidable cultural collaboration which the new management of the Council under my leadership is ready to build on.”