28 November 2019:

Bangladesh and Nigeria jointly held a Cultural Night on 26 November 2019 which marked first ever joint performance by the artistes of the two friendly countries. Held at the FCT Exhibition Auditorium, Abuja, it was attended by around 300 invited guests which included Nigerian dignitaries, elected officials, Ambassadors/High Commissioners, journalists, members of the Nigerian civil society, business and investment leaders, representatives of various social and cultural organisations, and Bangladesh diaspora, among others. 

Mr. Md. Shameem Ahsan, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria in his remarks said that the day will be considered as one of the most memorable ones in Bangladesh-Nigeria bilateral relations. He sincerely thanked Mr. OtunbaRunsewe, Director General of National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) for his generous support to make it happen. Mr. Ahsan, while paying deep tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, added that Bangladesh has become a role model in the world under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also thanked the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for its generous support to showcase rich culture and tradition before the foreign audience.  Director General Mr.  Otunba said that his organisation was building partnership and friendship across the world and expressed his optimism that the Friendship Club between Nigeria and Bangladesh has come to stay. Mr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Deputy Secretary and Leader of the 20-member Bangladesh Team also spoke on the occasion.

In the midst of the programme, launching of Nigeria-Bangladesh Friendship Club was marked by cutting of a cake jointly by Prof. Ibrahim AgboolaGambari, former Nigerian Foreign Minister and ex-Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UN, Mr. Md. Shameem Ahsan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria and Mr. OtunbaOlusegunRunsewe, Director General, NCAC. It symbolized the beginning of a new relationship between Bangladesh and Nigeria-two friendly countries.

Stellar performances by the noted artists from Bangladesh and Nigeria enthralled the audience. The artists of the Cultural Troupe sent by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh performed dance and music which held the enlightened audience captivated. Anchored by Dahlia Ahmed, vocal artists vizShalma Akbar, Yeasmeen Ali, ShafiqTuhin, KaziMuyeedShahriar Shiraz Joy, Manuel Soren, Avro Nokrek performed music while dance artists vizSangeetaChowdhury, Afrin Sultana Nipu, RahinaZaman, Mohammad Rasel Ahmed and ShammiYesminJhinuk featured patriotic, Tagore and Nazrul songs. Artists were accompanied by DebooChowdhury on tabla, KaziZobayerKaisar on key board, AvijitChakrabarty on guitar & Md. Nazrul Islam on dhol. War of Liberation, development Journey and rich culture & heritage of Bangladesh figured prominently.

The guests were served with traditional cuisine, pasty and cake of the two countries.