40 years of diplomatic relations

To celebrate the 40th year anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, a show was held in Abuja on February 10 and 11, 2011, featuring the Shanghai Art Troupe who performed various dances, acrobats, and musical numbers using Chinese instruments that truly entertained the audience. The Congress Hall of the Hilton Hotel was filled to capacity on both nights.
Most impressive were the three young acrobats who wowed the crowd. I personally enjoyed watching the Lotus Dance that, according to the programme, “conveys the yearning of a beautiful and unsophisticated young girl with a bright future.”

The current Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, His Excellency Deng Boqing, and his wife were among those who watched the performance.

The following photos were taken at the event by Araceli Aipoh.

Spanish ambassador bids Nigeria goodbye

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After five years as Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, His Excellency Angel Losada and his wife, Madam Claire Losada, are leaving the country finally this month. A farewell reception was held at the official residence of the ambassador in Maitama a couple of weeks ago. In a speech during the occasion, Ambassador Losada said he and his wife have truly enjoyed their stay in the country. He said they have made a lot of friends here and were grateful for the cooperation of everyone, particularly their colleagues in the diplomatic community.

Present at the farewell reception were officials from the Nigerian government as well as members of the diplomatic community. The embassy staff and the Spanish community in Abuja took this opportunity to present farewell gifts to the ambassador and his wife.

It shall be noted that for the last five years (beginning in 2006), the Spanish Embassy has been organising the Spanish Cultural Week, which has become a major cultural event in Abuja, and which, according to Ambassador Losada during the 5th edition of the event last October, “provides an opportunity to strengthen the relations between Spain and Nigeria through the cultural diversity of our people.” He said: “We will continue to build bridges between the rich Spanish and Nigerian cultures and by doing so we hope to extend the artistic ties between our two countries.”

These photos were taken at the farewell reception held on January 28, 2011.

Japanese Reception at the Hilton Hotel

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The birthday of the emperor of Japan is celebrated by the Japanese every December. Referred to simply as The Emperor’s Birthday, this is a national holiday that gives an opportunity for many Japanese to have a glimpse of their emperor as he and other members of the royal family appear at the balcony of the Imperial Palace (usually closed to the public throughout the year) to acknowledge the people’s greetings. In Japan, the emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Imperial Majesty the Emperor" which may be shortened to "His Imperial Majesty." Born in 1933, Emperor Akihito is the current emperor of Japan.
In Abuja, the celebration took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and was hosted by the Japanese ambassador and his wife, H.E and Mrs. Toshitsugu Uesawa. In an interview with him recently, Ambassador Uesawa says one of the things he has enjoyed most as a diplomat, aside from having the opportunity to serve his government, is that he has made a lot of friends. Ambassador Uesawa began his career as at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1977 and was appointed ambassador to Nigeria in 2007. He is also his country’s permanent representative to the ECOWAS.

Editor's Note...Christmas Eve 2010

Finally I have a couple of weeks all to myself. I just love my employers for making it possible, closing down the offices every Christmas season so that no one will work! I think this policy is just great. Some people just know how to do things the right way, don't they?  

Personally, I've not had a break for a long time now and I think this holiday is just on time to unwind a bit. I've been indoors all day. I heard that there's going to be a party at the Philippine Embassy tonight, but I am not going. Another one tomorrow too but I also intend to stay indoors.

As I write, I am looking at four bottles of wine in front of me (photo above) and I'm tempted to open one of them. But I can't. Although I take a sip during occasions, I'm not the kind that will drink a bottle of alcohol until the bottom is up and my head is down, which is what I will have to do if I open a bottle now since there's no one here to drink with me!

In Nigeria (as in some parts of the world) it is a custom to give a bottle of wine as a gift, especially during Christmas and New Year. So far I have received four bottles: two from Joy, my friend from Zenith Bank, one from Marilu Glanznig, and the one on the right, with the name card attached to it, is from the Embassy of Italy.

Job vacancy

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Italy's BelCanto Ensemble Concert in Abuja

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Rosaria Buscemi from Italy gets ready to sing at
 the Transcorp Hilton Hotel; December 6, 2010.
Photos by Araceli Aipoh

A concert featuring the BelCanto Ensemble, composed of five classical music performers from Italy, was organized by the Embassy of Italy on December 6, 2010, at the Lagos Room of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The members of the BelCanto Ensemble are: 1) Rosaria Buscemi, a soprano who graduated with honours at the Consenza Music Conservatory in Italy and has won several national and international competitions; 2) Alessandro Vuono, a pianist who is both a performer and a teacher, and who’s been successful in several national and international piano competitions; 3) Antoni Arcuri, who plays the clarinet and has degrees in Clarinet and Orchestration at Cosenza Music Conservatory in Italy and teaches clarinet; 4) Massimo Celiberto, who plays the horn, has performed over five hundred recitals in Europe and America and has worked with international artists including Andrea Bocelli; and 5) Francesco Clemente, a violinist who is a member of Quinteto Porteno (a formation devoted to tangos) and co-founder of a group with which he performs classical and contemporary repertoire.

Prior to this concert, two other cultural events were hosted by the Italian Embassy in a span of 12 days. These photos were taken at the BelCanto concert.

Christmas at the Dunes

The Dunes, one of Abuja's landmarks and which houses a restaurant and a supermarket, takes a new look. Photo courtesy of Milad Zeitoun, a member of Abuja Expats.  



Julius Berger Christmas Bazaar

Once a year Julius Berger Nigeria PLC invites the general public to their Life Camp in Abuja for their Christmas Bazaar. This year, the event took place on November 27, 2010, starting from 7:00pm. Different types of food were sold as well as arts and crafts. Later in the night was a raffle draw.

The following photos were taken at the event. You may click on the photos to enlarge.