Shameen Ahsan, outgoing High Commissioner of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, has commended the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) for using arts and culture as a veritable tool to unite the diplomatic community in Nigeria.
The Bangladeshi envoy gave the commendation during a farewell organised for him by NCAC as he departed Nigeria to continue his diplomatic mission in the Republic of Italy.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos by Chief Segun Runsewe, the NCAC Director-General, Ahsan said that his stay in Nigeria had culturally cemented the existing relationship between Nigeria and Bangladesh.
“I will remain eternally grateful to the D-G and the entire NCAC family, for the platform provided for my country to showcase our rich cultural heritage during the 11th and 12th INAC Expo, those memories I will ever cherish,” he said.
The outgoing Bangladeshi envoy noted that during his stay in Nigeria, his country participated fully in the Abuja Carnival, Calabar Carnival, two editions of the International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC).
He said that Bangladesh also participated in other cultural events, which over 60 delegates from the country were able to participate and witnessed the Bangladesh/Nigeria joint cultural show.
Ahsan thanked the director-general for being a wonderful host and assured him that the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will attend the 13th edition of INAC in November this year.
In his response, Runsewe said that the memory of the harmonious diplomatic relationship shared with the outgoing High Commissioner would remain evergreen.
Runsewe noted that this was evident in his attendance of the 11th 12th editions of the International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) and other cultural events organised in Nigeria, with robust display of his country’s cultural endowments.
The director-general stated that the outgoing envoy, who is an expert in Security and International Relations, had served in countries like Kuwait, Washington and parts of Africa, before his posting to Nigeria in 2017.
Runsewe described the relationship that existed between Nigeria and the Republic of Bangladesh as very cordial, and had created strong bond as well as opened window for cultural diplomacy between the two countries.
The NCAC boss, therefore, urged the outgoing high commissioner to sustain his high-level of integrity and diplomatic acumen in his new assignment, as the council would dearly miss his wealth of experience.
The high point of the event was the presentation of souvenirs to the outgoing envoy, cutting of cake and a farewell toast conducted by Runsewe.
