Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has lauded the creativity and resilience of Nigerians as they reinvented the images of the past into modern history.
The President made this commendation Thursday at Tate Modern during a reception organised by the British Government in London as part of activities to mark the state visit and to celebrate the industry of Nigerians who are contributing significantly to the growth and development of the country.
According to Tinubu, “the theme of the exhibition, Nigeria’s modernism, is more than just a title for an art show. It is a testament to revolution. It tells the story of a generation of Nigerian giants, who in the middle of the 20th century refused to be despised but chose to define themselves.”
He praised the creative ingenuity of Nigerians, who have created a timeless and enduring body of work through the fusion of the ancient and the modern.
The President also used the occasion to assure the gathering that the Nigerian economy had navigated its way out of the dark tunnel of economic uncertainty and hopelessness, and the country is now moving into the bright future that Nigerians expect to unfold.
He advised the gathering not to be carried away by certain negative indices often bandied about by naysayers, affirming his trust in Nigerian citizens’ capacity to excel anywhere.
Earlier, the UK Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, who organised the reception, welcomed the Nigerian President and First Lady, emphasising the strong strategic partnership between the UK and Nigeria, marked by mutual respect and cooperation.
He said that the annual trade between the two countries has reached £8.1 billion, with over half a million Nigerians contributing to the UK’s cultural and economic life.
Lammy highlighted Nigeria’s vibrant cultural influence globally, from art to entertainment, and underscored the ambition and future focus of the UK-Nigeria relationship, as exemplified by the ongoing trade and investment dialogue.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who moderated the event, also highlighted a few accomplishments of Nigerians holding very important positions in the United Kingdom.
Present at the event were the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun; Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd); and his Interior counterpart, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Others were the Ministers of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Education, Tunji Alausa; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
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