In Lebanon, cultural offering lifts Nigeria @ 51

DUE to the security situation around the country, Nigeria's 51st Independence anniversary celebration on October 1 was low keyed, but in far away Lebanon, the Nigeria Embassy staged an elaborate party to commemorate the day in response to yearnings of members of the Nigeria community who insisted the occasion was an opportunity to re-connect with their roots.According to a release from the Embassy, the celebration in Beirut, described as first of its kinds in the history of the Nigeria's independence anniversary celebration in Lebanon, will forever remain indelible in the minds of many as all dignitaries were held spell-bound throughout the duration of the celebration.But the display of cultural richness of Nigeria by Akwa Ibom, Arewa, Edo, Igbo and Ogoja cultural contingents of the Nigerian community in Lebanon did the magic. Indeed, the cultural offerings that day lifted the independence anniversary package.The presence of members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Republic of Lebanon, Lebanese government functionaries, industrialists and professionals added colour to the occasion.A former Minister of Interior, Mr. Yassin Jaber represented the Lebanese Government at the occasion. Others included the Lebanese Interior Minister, Charbel Nahass, representatives of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Communication, Water and Electricity and Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces.The Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Gabriel Caccia led the team of diplomats that included the American Ambassador, Maura Connely; Spanish Ambassador, Carlos Gafio Acevedo; Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Ali Awadh Asseri, Japanese Ambassador, Koichi Kawakani; Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Lee Youn-HA; Indonesia Ambassador, Bagas Hasporo; Egyptian Ambassador, Mohamad Tawfik among others.In attendance also were Honourary Consuls of Benin, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra-Leone, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Togo, Coted'Ivoire, as well as executives and members of the Lebanese-Nigerian Friendship Association (LENIFRA).In his address at the occasion, Ambassador Idowu lauded the age-long relations between Nigeria and Lebanon, which was founded on people-to-people interaction that dates back to early 20th Century.
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