The Permanent Delegate, Nigeria’s Permanent Delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Her Excellency, Mrs. Mariam Y. Katagum, has commended artists of Ogun State Cultural Troupe, for making Nigeria, Ogun State, and herself proud through their thrilling performance at the Gala Night of the Africa Week 2017, an event organised every year by the Africa Group at UNESCO HQ in Paris, France.
Ambassador Katagum stated this in her office at the UNESCO Building, Rue Miollis, Paris, saying she owed a lot of gratitude to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for approving and funding the participation of the State, and thus representing Nigeria at the auspicious occasion.
She noted that any performance at UNESCO HQ in Paris should be seen as a performance for the whole world, as almost all 195 States Parties will be represented, adding that the excellent display of the troupe meant the possibility of creating additional platforms for other international cultural exchanges, not only for Ogun State, but Nigeria as a whole.
The Permanent Delegate also acknowledged the role played by the Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, as he did the linkage and followed up on the arrangements to ensure that both the Delegation and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ogun State, were regularly getting updates on the progress being made.
Ambassador Katagum said she was not surprised and was not disappointed at all as Ayakoroma has always delivered on whatever assignment he was given by the Delegation, since his assumption of office.
Responding, the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ogun State, Rt. Hon. Bashorun Muyiwa Oladipo, expressed appreciation to the Ambassador and all members of staff of the Delegation for their high sense of responsibility and hospitality, and for their rousing reception at the performance, saying the Paris experience has been one that the artists will savour for quite a long time.
Bashorun Oladipo assured that he will report, in detail, to the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the positive and conducive exhibition and performance atmosphere enjoyed by the contingent, disclosing that the Governor would have been in Paris personally but for some last minute official engagements.
According to him, since it was the beginning of a mutually beneficial working relationship, it is possible for the Governor to find time to visit the Ambassador in Paris, especially as the Governor is passionate about the African Drums Festival, which is a unique cultural product from Ogun State; and that he too will be delighted to have the rare privilege of hosting the Permanent Delegate in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at her convenience.
Ambassador Katagum used the opportunity to present a Certificate of Attendance of Africa Week 2017 to the Honourable Commissioner and gift packs to Governor Ibikunle Amosun as well as the officials and artists.
© Nico news