The Overseas Friends of Bharatiya Janata Party in Nigeria has commended Rajnath Singh, India’s Minister of Defence, for his maiden visit to Nigeria for President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29.
Mr Sanjay Srivastava, Head of OFBJP in Nigeria, in a statement on Thursday in Lagos said that the visit was an honour and privilege to interact with the minister.
Srivastava noted that in the history of India, no defence minister had visited Nigeria and after the presidential swearing-in ceremony, Singh was able to hold meeting with the OFBJP members in Abuja.
He said the defence minister was loved by all due to the crucial role he had played in shaping India’s national security policies and strategies.
“The meeting with him was a moment of admiration, delight, and enthusiasm for team OFBJP Nigeria and the Indian community in Nigeria.
“Shri Rajnath Singh’s guidance to team OFBJP Nigeria reflects the importance of dialogues and collaborations with the diaspora to enhance cooperation and address common challenges.
“The exchange of ideas and experiences can lead to innovative solutions and foster a sense of unity among the Indian diaspora while maintaining strong bonds with our homeland,” he said.
Srivastava noted that OFBJP activities as goodwill ambassadors, highlighting the achievements of India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and working toward strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Nigeria was commendable.
He said the Indian diasporans’ vibrant presence and contributions to the development of both countries play a significant role in promoting trade, commerce, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
According to him, the minister’s appreciation for the efforts of team OFBJP Nigeria and the Indian diaspora in Nigeria further emphasizes their valuable contributions to the vision of a strong and prosperous India. He said other executives of the OFBJP present for the meeting were: Mr Dheerendra Chauhan, the Vice President; and Mr Vikas Arya, Secretary, with some other dignitaries