The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, Honourable Abike Dabiri-Arewa, says cultural exchanges between Nigeria and India should not be taken for granted, as both countries have a lot in common.

 

Speaking at the twenty twenty-one Diwali celebration by the Indian High Commission in Abuja, Honourable Dabiri-Arewa, who was represented by her Executive Assistant on Special Duties, Tochukwu Obienu, called on business enthusiasts to take advantage of the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit holding in Abuja next week to advertise their business ideas.

 

Earlier in his welcome address, the India High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Abhay Thakur, who described the world as a global village, thanked the Nigerian government for supporting the India Technical and Economic Cooperation, ITEC, which he said had taken about two hundred and fifty Nigerians to India for training, expressing delight that the World Health Organization, WHO, had approved Indian indigenous COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Ekwi Ajide of our Abuja Bureau reports that it was an evening of exhibition of culture and celebration of friendship between Nigeria and India at this year’s Diwali celebration.

 

Diwali, also called the festival of lights, is one of India’s most significant festivals, and this year’s celebration in Abuja started with lightening of lamps by both India and Nigeria representatives to signify the power of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

 

Several cultural and musical troops from India showcased their expertise at the event attended by top government functionaries of Nigeria and officials of Indian High Commission, as well as parliamentarians, and because music is a language without borders, Nigerians took the centre stage in response to an India infused music.