…as Ravi affirms India-Nigeria relationship underpinned by shared values of democracy, pluralism
By Joy Odor
Nigeria and India government has on Friday signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Cultural Exchange, Survey Cooperation and Cooperation in Customs to boost the long-standing partnership and cooperation between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Ahmed Dumoma Umar signed on behalf of Nigeria while the Mr Dammy Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) signed on behalf of India.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary informed that the new MoUs signed are symbols of shared vision for growth, innovation, and sustainable development with Indian which represents yet another milestone in the long-standing partnership and mutually beneficial relationship and cooperation between the two countries.
He noted that the success of the MOUs depend not only on the Agreements signed, but also on “the commitment in ensuring the implementation of their provisions and believed that the relevant stakeholders from both countries would work together to ensure the realization of this great milestone for the benefits for the people.
“Yes, of course, with the upcoming visits of the Indian Prime Minister, we have some agreements and the relationship between Nigeria and India is very strong and very cordial.
“So we are expecting some agreements to be signed by the two governments in preparation for the coming of the Indian Prime Minister.
“Nigeria and India have for decades shared strong ties rooted in historical, cultural, and economic collaboration. It is a great honour and privilege to be part of this auspicious occasion, marking the signing of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of India.
“For decades, Nigeria and India have shared strong ties rooted in historical, cultural, and economic collaboration from the shared values of democracy and pluralism to our engagement in global platforms like the United Nations. Our partnership has always been one of mutual respect and shared aspirations.” he stated
“The recent visit by President Bola Tinubu to participate at the G20 Leaders’ Summit from 9th-10th September, 2023 and the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of India, Nadradi Modi, he said, further underscored the commitment to deepening the relationship and exploring new horizons of cooperation for the benefit of the two countries.
“Consequently, the MOUs we are signing today in the areas of Cultural Exchange, Customs and many diverse areas are symbols of our shared vision for growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
“On behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend my gratitude to the Government of India for its unwavering commitment to fostering this partnership. I also commend the teams from both sides whose hard work and dedication have made this moment possible” he stressed.
In his speech, the Secretary (Economic Relations) of the Republic of India, Mr Dammy Ravi was of the opinion that the India-Nigeria relationship has really evolved over a period of time and has underpinned by shared values of democracy, pluralism and both countries have a very strong commitment to multi-ethnicity, multi-religions and pluralism.
According to the Secretary Economic Relations, the over 60,000 India’s in Nigeria are really contributing to the economy and grateful for the kind treatment given to them, pointing out that the agreements and the memorandum of understandings actually sets the action plan for both future.
“We are very confident that the visit of the Prime Minister will stimulate our relationship even further in diverse areas, in principally the economic cooperation and more trade and investment is what we’re really looking forward to between our two entrepreneurs.
“The three agreements that we will sign during this time and it will be exchanged in the presence of the two leaders day after tomorrow will set a significant milestone for us to work upon them and take forward a relationship even further.
“It’s truly an honor for me to be here today for the signing ceremony and tomorrow our Prime Minister will be visiting, it’s a historic visit as we consider it, it’s happening after 17 years, the Indian Prime Minister visiting your beautiful country.
“This visit is happening at the invitation of your President, His Excellency Bola Ahmad Tinobu.
“We are really grateful for all the arrangements, excellent arrangements have been made as I understand from our High Commissioner that things are all in place and it’s a visit that we are awaiting to happen, it’s a milestone visit as I consider it” Ravi noted.
In her contribution, Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy affirmed that having an agreement, co-production to do more in diplomacy, cultural diplomacy is something that will not only make the world a better place but build collaborations.
She called for building an ecosystem that strengthens culture and creativity in Nigeria for mutually beneficial collaborations and partnerships with India.
“Having an agreement, co-production, an agreement whereby we’ll be able to do more in terms of diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, I think is something that will not only make the world a better place in terms of the sort of collaborations that we have because of our numbers.
“When you look at the population of Nigeria and India, everywhere you go in the world, you have Indians, you have Nigerians, and one thing we have in common is that the world is really interested in us because of our talent, our content, and our creativity, so that’s one thing that we share.
“So for me, as a Minister for Art, Culture, Tourism andative Economy, I think it is very important for us in trying to build an ecosystem that strengthens culture and creativity in Nigeria, to have this agreement and these are mutually beneficial collaborations and partnerships with India, and I think really it is something that will make our expressions louder and it will make the industry, the creative industry, and the cultural industry stronger globally, especially like I said because of the population, because of our reach everywhere that you go.
“I can just hope that we go from strength to strength and beyond this conversation, see that how we can expand these collaborations and my ministry, Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be looking to see how we can expand even beyond this fantastic agreement we have, I think it would be beneficial for us to see how we can expand this conversation and thank you again the delegation from India and we welcome your Prime Minister, Prime Minister Modi, he has done an astronomical job at being part of the leaders that really lead the world into a better place and we hope that we can learn more and more from each other, so thank you for being here” he ended.
