India’s 76th Republic Day celebration which held on Sunday at the India Consulate in Lagos, witnessed thrilling cultural performances and display of diverse cultures of the Indians.
The event was attended by friends, business associates, a large number of Indians resident in Nigeria, heads of foreign missions in the country, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Alex Oti; representatives of the Osun State governor and Deputy governor of Lagos State, as well as other eminent individuals.
The celebration which was marked by several scintilating Indian cultural dances performed by some beautifully adorned young Indian girls, began with a cocktail while guests networked.
When guests thought they had seen the best of entertainment, young Aisha stormed the stage, belting a song originally sung by an Indian freedom fighter, as though the song was written in a Nigerian language. Her voice which sounded like that of an Indian, coupled with her body movements, immediately earned her the moniker, black Indian. Some Indians who were conversant with the freedom fighter’s song, joined her at some point. Commendations kept pouring even after the loud ovation she received at the end of her performance.
The celebration was not limited to the official activities as guests also indulged in traditional Indian cuisine at the end.
The event which was a testament to the strong bonds between India and Nigeria and the vibrant Indian community living in Nigeria was a resounding success, marked by patriotism, culture, and community spirit.
It was indeed a proud moment for Indians living in Nigeria and a celebration that would be remembered for a long time.
In his opening remarks, the India Consul General, Chandramouli Kumar Kern, who expressed delight over the large turn out of guests, narrated the essence of the commemoration of the India’s Republic Day celebration which according to him, served as a poignant reminder of the nation’s commitment to their cherished principles and ongoing journey towards a brighter future.
His words, “As we celebrate our Republic Day, we reaffirm India’s identity as Vishwa Bandhu, a friend of the world.
Today, we celebrate the adoption of the Indian constitution on January 25, 1950 and as our constitution completes 76 glorious years, we honor the visionaries who skillfully blended India’s ancient democratic principles.”
He further spoke about India’s relationship with Nigeria in addition to successes recorded.
“Let me bring to your notice that this past year has been a landmark in the bilateral relations between India and Nigeria. The historic state visit of the India Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to Nigeria in November, 2024 set the tone for renewed collaboration. Wide ranging discussions between the leaderships reaffirmed the strategic partnership between our nations, with India sharing its expertise in poverty alleviation, technology, agriculture, fintech, defense, space and more.
“Our business ties with Nigeria are vibrant and dynamic. India investments in Nigeria exceeds $27 billion, with over 150 Indian companies operating across key sectors. The synergy between Nigeria;s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Tinubu and India’s Vision for Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047,provides a roadmap for accelerated development. As the world’s third largest renewable energy producer, India has installed over 46 per cent of its energy capacity from renewables as at October 2024, with ambitious goals of achieving 500 GW by 2030.
Our diaspora embodies this spirit, adding value to our host countries through hard work and innovation. Also, India’s advancement in futuristic technologies, including AI Robotics, semiconductor manufacturing and space exploration, positioned us as a global innovation Hub. India stands 6th in terms of intellectual property fillings in the world,” Chandramouli stated.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Barrister Bimbola Salu- Hundeyin, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening ties with India, highlighting the cordial relationship between the two entities.
She commended the host for organising the event, noting the long standing friendship between the Consulate, the State and Nigeria in general which has been fostered through various diplomatic visits and collaborations over the years.
