It was a day of celebration and a renewal of bilateral, diplomatic and social ties, for The Gambia and Nigeria at the unveiling of this year’s International Diplomacy and Diversity on Food, Drinks, Music, Culture, Arts, Fashion and Dance fiesta, which held in Lagos recently. Organised by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (Lagos SWAN) and AIPS, it was held in partnership with the Office of the President of Gambia, UNESCO, Pan African American Chamber of Commerce, Sabre, UNDP, NBC, CarolKing Media Ltd (CML), Indomie Noodles, MOL, Gala, National Council for Arts and Culture. The first female chairman of Lagos SWAN; head, PAACC and event convener, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, said one of the primary objectives of the now yearly event is to preserve cultural heritage and strengthen intra-African ties.
“Intangible cultural practices, fostering mutual respect and understanding and also promoting cultural diversity, which is the major theme of our programmme,” she stated. She further emphasised that “Partnership and collaboration on this beautiful cultural initiative will enhance the artistic innovations behind the initiative; it will add hope, values to culture sustainability and livelihood of culture heritage and of course boost creative economy in a better manner.” Global Diplomatic Cultural Awards were conferred on the Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria and Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Amb.
Mohamadou Musa Njie and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogu.