How Kwara, Bayelsa dazzled at Nigerian week in China

Based on his strong belief in partnership and desire to project the cultural diversity of the country, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, had invited states to participate in the 2nd edition of the event and the response of the Bayelsa and Kwara State Governments led to the participation of their […]

Based on his strong belief in partnership and desire to project the cultural diversity of the country, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, had invited states to participate in the 2nd edition of the event and the response of the Bayelsa and Kwara State Governments led to the participation of their Cultural Troupes at an event that received huge endorsement and appreciation from the Chinese Government and public.
At a well attended opening ceremony which took place at the auditorium of Jinling Library in Nanjing, the Minister, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele, the Minister in charge of Publicity, Information, Culture and Tourism in the Nigerian Embassy in China, Mr. Suleiman  Abubakar Tanko, Directors-General of parastatals and Directors in the Ministry and President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), underscored the importance of inter-cultural relations and, especially cultural diplomacy, to the Transformation Agenda of the Nigerian Government.
“For us in Nigeria, we have always believed, like the people of this great country, that culture is the most definitive element of any people. And time may pass, civilization upon civilization, modernity upon modernity, technology will come and go but culture is the very fabric and the essence that welds people together, that strengthens the bond of friendship and enriches mankind as a whole. So for us, the biggest nation in Africa to be here in the biggest nation of the world, there is a purpose,” the Minister said.
He also expressed appreciation, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria, to the Government and people of China for the quality and level of cultural cooperation between the two countries, especially the recent opening of a Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja, apparently in reciprocation of the opening of a Nigerian Cultural Centre in Beijing in 2011, stressing that the relations would provide a bigger space for greater cultural understanding and diplomacy.
At a roundtable between officials of the Chinese Government and the Nigerian delegation, Duke said Nigeria is one of the top four investment friendly nations in the world. He told the Chinese delegation to the roundtable which included professionals and experts from the Culture, Travel, Tourism and Hospitality sub-sectors that there are huge opportunities for investment in hospitality, resort, entertainment, leisure parks and development of theatres in Nigeria.
Director, Nanjing Investment Promotion Commission, Chen Lei, said China regards Nigeria as an economic power house in Africa, adding that some Chinese investors have already started businesses in Nigeria while more have signified strong intentions to also invest in the country especially in the areas discussed.
With the discussions held at the roundtable, the Minister has called for the provision of incentives and the institution of low entry barrier for investors from China. This, according to him, will help to open up the economy, boost activities in the culture and tourism sub-sectors and create jobs as obtained in China and other parts of the developed world.
 Exhibitions put up by the National Council for Arts and Culture, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, National Gallery of Art, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism and   National Commission for Museums and Monuments combined to give expressions to rich cultural heritage of Nigeria as well as the propagation of this heritage and that of Africa at home and in the Diaspora.
A slice of what the National Troupe of Nigeria, the Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe and the Kwara State Cultural Troupe had in store was served to the applause of the audience at the opening ceremony, which also witnessed a brief appearance of Emmanuel Uwuechue, a Nigerian musician in China, whose fluency singing in Chinese was a delight to the Chinese and Nigerian delegations. 
Uwuechue, who goes by the stage name ‘Hao Ge’ meaning ‘Good Song’, together with the National Troupe of Nigeria,   as well as Bayelsa and   Kwara State Troupes   treated a Chinese audience of over 1,000 to another round of performances at the Mochou Lake Park where Duke announced the appointment of Uwuechue as Nigeria’s Cultural Ambassador in China.
A bigger stage was set for further performances at the magnificent Nanjing Culture and Art Centre, which was filled to its 5,000 seating capacity, where the Nigerian Cultural Troupes were joined by China’s Little Red Flower Troupe to add colour to the electrifying evening.  It was a highly elated Duke who, as the performances were ending, joined the troupes on stage and addressed the audience on the vitality and richness of Nigerian cultural heritage, part of which the troupes displayed to the admiration and appreciation of the Chinese audience.
Summing up the 2nd Nigerian Cultural Week in China, the Chinese Vice Minister of Culture, Yang Zhjin, who earlier had audience with Chief Duke and his team, described the initiative as strategic. He said bringing Nigerian culture directly to China would further the interests of the people of China in Nigeria. He pointed out that the Chinese pubic is interested in Nigerian arts and that some of them could be found in the Museum for National Arts in China.
President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Chief Tomi Akingbogun described the involvement of the private sector, which he represents at the event, as a clear demonstration of how the Federal Government is making the Public Private Partnership work, through the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, to transform the culture and tourism sub-sectors.
Heads of parastatals who attended the event include Professor Tunde Babawale of CBAAC, Malgwi Maidugu of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Munzali Dantata of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Barclays Ayakoroma of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Martin Adaji of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Abdulahi Muku of the National Gallery of Art and Yusuf Abdalah of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. The delegation also included Director of Culture, George Uffot and Deputy Director Bilateral, Mrs. Dayo Keshi.
Oladokun is a Special Adviser on Media to Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.