Connect with us

National News

Spanish envoy calls for deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria, Spain 

Published

on

Spanish envoy calls for deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria, Spain 

Spanish envoy calls for deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria, Spain 

By: Michael Mike

The new Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Juan Sell has said Nigeria and Spain needed to build on existing bilateral reletions for sustainable growth.

The envoy made the call on Thursday during a news conference held at the Spain Ambassador’s residence in Abuja,  to announce a Spanish writer Ana Briongos and the team of LagosPhoto to present the cultural project “Unpacking the Suitcase”.

“Unpacking the Suitcase ” was derived from a true life experience of a Nigerian student Prince Adewale Emmanuel, who studied in Barcelona 60 years ago.

Emmanuel after three years of his stay in Barcelona left for London with his wife Elizabeth and leaving a suitcase behind in Spain with his friend Mrs Luisa Guadayol. Mrs Guadayol is the mother of the writer Mrs. Ana Briongos.

Mr Sell said that on his arrival to Nigeria he noticed that both countries had a long standing relations both diplomatic and economic.

It is no news that both Nigeria and Spain had collaborated in the fight against illegal immigration, holding meetings on the subject and numerous exchanges.

Also, experts of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Agency for the fight against Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have participated in various seminars and conferences in Spain.

Speaking also, Mrs. Briongos, a Spainsh writer and the custodian of the suitcase said that after her mother passed on many attempts to return the suitcase to Prince Emmanuel prove abortive and she decided to open the suitcase and the content of the case tells a story of two countries.

According to the writer, in 1967, Prince Emmanuel enrolled as a student at the art school Escuela Massana in Barcelona. Three years later Emmanuel and his wife Elizabeth decided to leave Barcelona for London.

Emmanuel left a suitcase and the content  with his close friend Mrs Guadayol in Barcelona, when she passed away in 2016, her daughter Briongos was resolute in her quest to return the suitcase to Prince Emmanuel or his family in Nigeria.

Also Read: Pantami adds title ‘Professor’ to name amid controversy

She said: “The material found in the suitcase points to different social and cultural moments in the history of Nigeria and beyond: the Nigerian Civil War, the cultural ties between two countries.

“Also, in it was the Nigeria and Spain, the legacy of the artist, the story of emigration, Nigerian studio photography of the 70s.”

Mr Azu Nwagbogu, Director LagosPhoto, said nothing encapsulate the bond of friendship between people and countries and that was what was found in the suitcase of Prince Emmanuel. 

 He added that the project had made him to think of restitution of recovering one’s identity, adding that the archive in the suitcase cumulates’ the 1967 to 70 and  its tells about so many story at the time.

He urged lovers of art, writers, photographers and the general public to come for more interpretation of the content in the suitcase during the 2022 LagosPhoto Festival schedule to hold in October.

Parts of the items found in the suitcase are: candles, 600 photos, 100 letter both written and received, painting , classical drawings among others.

Spanish envoy calls for deeper bilateral relations between Nigeria, Spain 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National News

VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri

Published

on

VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri

By: Our Reporter

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, joined thousands of muslim faithful to observe the Eid prayers at Ramat Square, Maiduguri.

The two units prayer were observed peacefully at the main Eid ground and other prayer grounds across the state under tight security, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast.

In a sallah message shortly after the sermon by the Imam Idaini of Borno, Shettiima Mamman Saleh, the Vice President called for unity and peaceful coexistence in the state and the country as a whole.

Senator Shettima assures the Federal Government Gommitment to protecting the lives and properties of the citizenry, stressing that the fight against insurgency would be tackled head-on.

The Imam Idaini admonished worshippers to imbibe the lessons learned during the holy month and encouraged Muslim faithful to give alms to the poor (zakatul fitr) and to fast six days in the month of Shawwal to receive Allah’s bounties and rewards.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, in a sallah message, called on faithful to recharge their spiritual beings towards rebuilding a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Borno.

He saluted the courage, resilience, and commitment of the people to all initiatives aimed at deepening security and peace-building among the various components of society, fragmented by the Boko Haram insurgency over the years.

The Eid prayer was attended by the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Almin El-Kanemi; the Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur; the APC Deputy National Chairman, North, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan SAN, Minister of State for Regional Development.

Other dignitaries include members of the House of Representatives and the Borno State House of Assembly, former deputy governors, the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners, APC stalwarts, and other top government officials.

VP Shettima, Zulum Attend Eid Prayers at Ramat Square as Worshippers Observe Sallah Peacefully in Maiduguri

Continue Reading

National News

Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence

Published

on

Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence

By: Michael Mike

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to strengthen unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence as Muslims across the country celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director-General of the institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, congratulated the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

He said the occasion, which signifies the end of a period of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion, provides an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to the values of peace, compassion and national unity.

Ochogwu urged Muslims to sustain the virtues cultivated during Ramadan—such as self-discipline, patience, charity and piety—beyond the festive period, stressing that such values are essential for building harmonious communities and strengthening the nation.

According to him, Nigerians must also rise above religious, ethnic and political differences and embrace mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as vital ingredients for national development.

“At a time when the country is confronted with complex challenges, unity of purpose and collective responsibility are crucial to overcoming divisions and building a more secure and prosperous nation,” he said.

The institute also expressed concern over recent security incidents in parts of the country, including the tragic bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State, which claimed several lives.

Ochogwu extended condolences to families of the victims, praying for the repose of the deceased and speedy recovery for those injured in the attack.

He reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to its mandate of promoting peacebuilding, conflict prevention and resolution across Nigeria, noting that IPCR would continue to work with government institutions, communities and other stakeholders to address the root causes of conflict.

The IPCR boss further urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies and actively support peacebuilding initiatives in their communities.

“Peace is a shared responsibility, and every Nigerian has a role to play in safeguarding it,” he added.

Ochogwu also prayed that the Eid-el-Fitr celebration would usher in renewed hope, healing and unity for Nigeria while advancing peace, stability and national progress.

Eid-el-Fitr: IPCR Urges Nigerians to Embrace Unity, Peaceful Coexistence

Continue Reading

National News

VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism

Published

on

VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has restated the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism, declaring that those behind recent attacks in the country will be decisively confronted.

He noted that beyond the presidential directive to security chiefs, the Federal Government was investing more in equipment and other logistics to boost the fight against terrorism across the country.

Senator Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri when he visited victims of the bomb blast who are receiving treatment at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.

Condemning the gory multiple explosions in Maiduguri on Monday in which more than 100 people were affected by the incident, with over 20 confirmed dead, he described the perpetrators as barbaric, stressing that no cause justifies the killing of innocent people.

The Vice President said his visit was to sympathise with the injured and families affected by the tragedy, assuring of government’s support through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the North East Development Commission, and the Borno State Government.

The Vice President was accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Usman Kadafur; NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar; Chief Medical Director of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Professor Ahmed Ahijo, and other top government officials.

VP Shettima Visits Victims Of Multiple Explosions In Maiduguri, Assures Of FG’s Tough Response To Terrorism

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights