NIGERIA
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Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Brussels
Embassy of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria
Avenue de Tervuren 288
1150 Brussels
Republic of Nigeria
Avenue de Tervuren 288
1150 Brussels
+32 2 762 52 00
+32 2 762 37 63
News
| REMARKS BY FOREIGN MINISTER OJO MADUEKWE (CFR) AS REPRESENTATIVE OF FIRST LADY OF NIGERIA AT THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART CELEBRATION OF NIGERIA'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY KICK-OFF DINNER ON SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER, 2009 |
I bring you greetings from Her Excellency Hajiya Turai Umaru Yar'adua First Lady of Nigeria who has asked
me to represent her at this event.
She sincerely looked forward to have been physically present, as Dr. Johnnetta Cole the Museum Director
knows. She regrets not being able to do so this time but expects to join within the year long programme.
My presence here tonight on behalf of Hajiya Turai, and also on behalf of President Yar'adua, the
Government and people of Nigeria, far from being a perfect substitute for the First Lady's presence,
provides in some ways, the latest informal acknowledgments at very senior levels of the Nigerian
Government of the time-honoured ties that bind our two nations. Whose presence at the creation could
have been more impressive than that of then United States Secretary of State Christian Herter, who
introduced Nigeria, as the newest member of the United Nations at the General Assembly in 1960, and
proceeded to prophesy the inevitable greatness of my country whose Foreign Minister I am currently
honoured to be. I am conscious of this history as we join the 15-member UN Security Council as
non-Permanent member January next year.
Within these past 50 years, the solidarity and partnership between Africa's most populous nation and the
world's most powerful nation has been defined not only by the politics of shared values and rich diversities,
but by a tradition of art that continues to echo with renewed vibrancy, the spirituality of the primal continent.
By bringing us all together tonight to the iconic Smithsonian National Museum of African art, Dr. Johnnetta
Cole and her exceptionally talented team, together with the sponsors, guests and other supporters, pay an
unforgettable tribute to the wisdom of the founding fathers of my nation who at Independence chose
friendship with the United States, rather than confrontation.
On behalf of Nigeria's First Lady, I appreciate the thoughtfulness and creativity, and indeed sacrifice that
have gone into the events of tonight and tomorrow and indeed several weeks and months to follow.
When the irrepressible Museum Director met with me and the First Lady a few days ago in Nigeria, not a few
marvelled at the overwhelming reach of her dynamism and passion for Africa. A truly African spirit born in
America, we are honoured by her leadership of this symbol of American cultural relevance, the Smithsonian,
and the incredible energy and abiding optimism about Nigeria of her team.
For us in Nigeria, the choice has never been between soft power and hard power. It is soft power, period.
That is why we chose not to go to war with neighbouring Cameroon over Bakassi Peninsula. We voluntarily
submitted ourselves to the adjudication of the World Court at The Hague and religiously implemented the
decision that favoured Cameroon over us.
Recently, we resisted every temptation to optimally use force in the Niger Delta creeks, and chose dialogue.
Today an Amnesty Programme whose scale and comprehensiveness might be without precedent is being
implemented as peace return to the creeks. With the largest peacekeeping contingent in Darfur, and a role
as one of four (4) largest peace-keeping nations, our foreign policy has always been premised on supporting
every sincere effort for global peace and security.
While not being naïve about any illusion of a Pollyanna world out there, the timeless message of art and
culture has urged us to a global exchange that must not be viewed as a zero sum game. It is still better to
dance than to fight! Man's instinct for violence is not more compelling than the disarming power of art.
Throughout our history, more conflicts have been resolved in Africa by simply bringing out the masquerade
to the village square than we have gotten credit for! For us, smart power has always meant cultural
diplomacy. The 21' century has been described as decisive regarding mankind chances of survival. The
experts generally agree if we can negotiate the next 50 years without blowing ourselves out with the
weapons which modern technology has provided us with, we are likely to be here much longer than we
actually deserve.
It is clear that the humanizing power of culture to save is no longer an option. It is the only condition for
survival. Maybe it is time for a re-awakening of global interest in the art and spirituality of Africa. The home
of humanity, and its most undeveloped, may well have secrets yet to be yielded on how to save the world in
spite of its challenges of pandemics, post colonial conflicts and democratic challenges. The pilgrimage to
Africa is long overdue.
I see the stirring of the spirit in this direction by the initiatives we are witnessing tonight. I see a
convergence of art and governance and development to truly form a trinity of intervention that can come
out of Africa.
If the beginning of the cultural celebration of Nigeria at 50 taking place tonight is the catalyst for a new
awakening, then we are all here more than witnesses to history; we are also priviledged participants. When
the story is told of the emergent New Africa of opportunities that will be hard to find elsewhere; a new Africa
of new frontiers for global development; a new Africa of preferred destination for many a hassled tourist; we
should remember this night and bless again those with the foresight to honour 50 years of a country that is
home to every 5th African.
For now, suffice it to say on behalf of Hajiya Turai Yar'adua, it is an indescribable honour for me to be here.
Nigeria does not forget its friends. We shall not forget our friends at the Smithsonian. I have no doubt that
the sponsors and contributors who have elected to honour Hajiya's identification with this project by easing
the burden of the Museum, will step up to the plate. It is in that context I wish to acknowledge and thank
Chevron heartily, which as usual did not hesitate to make a donation in this direction.
Once more, congratulations, and happy anniversary events.