Nigeria and Bangladesh have agreed to strengthen their bilateral relationship using Arts and Culture as tools.
This decision was reached when the Bangladesh Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr. Masudur Rahman paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Culture House in Abuja.
Mr. Rahman on the occasion to commend the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe for his contributions to the development of Arts and Culture not only in Nigeria but to Africa and to the world.
He pointed out that the last edition of the International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo put together by the Director General and His management team has helped in marketing Nigeria Arts and Crafts to the world in a big way.
Rahman used the visit to intimate Runsewe that the establishment of bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Bangladesh dates back to the 70s and has been on a steady growth since then.
The High Commissioner pointed out that Nigeria accorded recognition to Bangladesh on 27th February 1974 and that his visit to the Council also includes the fact that his country (Bangladesh) is planning to hold some cultural events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the cultural relationship on the 27th and 28th of February next year.
He told the Director General that he would want the Council to play a major role in making the 2 day event a great success.
Director General Segun Runsewe in his response told the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria that his Council is ready to collaborate with his office to make their planned anniversary celebration a huge success.
He told the High Commissioner that so much is needed to be done to improve the cultural bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Bangladesh and that both countries’ hands should be on the deck to bring out the best in both countries.
Runsewe added that he was happy that as at today, their relationship is getting stronger and better, while he
urged the High Commissioner to visit the newly renovated and commissioned NCAC Cultural Market and promised that some of the events of the anniversary celebration could be hosted at the Ampi-theatre of the Cultural market.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of cultural gifts and souvenirs to the High Commissioner by the Director General of the Council.