Retired Lt Gen Ashimiyu Adebayo Olaniy, Nigeria’s high commissioner to Pakistan, hosted a large reception to mark the country’s 58th Independence Day on Oct 1 and 56 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan.

Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan was invited to the event as chief guest.

The high commissioner and chief guest both underlined the cordial relations between both countries, with broader and deeper cooperation over the recent years. The Pakistani chief guest extended greetings from Pakistan’s new prime minister and hoped for closer ties in trade and industry.

The Nigerian high commissioner said that in spite of the two countries being different, there are more similarities, and the challenges both countries face are similar in many fields; both countries have big populations and high population growth; there is need for expansion of infrastructure; better security is needed; both countries need higher enrolment in education and must expand social services.

The speeches were followed by a cultural dance performance, and the cuisine was a mix of Nigerian, international and Pakistani.

A number of students and Nigerians residing in the country attended the event along with diplomats and local and foreign dignitaries.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2018