Hungary: Charity event
marks Nigeria’s
anniversary
By
Hakeem Babalola
The
embassy of Nigeria in Budapest celebrated the
country’s 52nd Independence Day with a visit to two social institutions in that
country.
The
embassy of Nigeria in Budapest celebrated the
country’s 52nd Independence Day with a visit to two social institutions in that
country.
The
gesture, described as part of “a practical expression to bring the two
countries and their people closer”, is the first of its kind by the embassy
since opening in 1992 after twenty-eight years of Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Hungary.
At
the Elderly People’s Home, Nigerian ambassador to Hungary, Chief Eddy Onuoha, told
local reporters that the event was a special way to foster better relationship
between the two countries.
Onuoha,
who is the 6th Nigerian ambassador to Hungary,
hinted that the embassy has intention to do more things in this Danube area which would further facilitate mutual
understanding and inter-cultural activities. .
Describing
his people as perhaps the most hospitable in the world who like strangers, the
ambassador stated that the government knows we are here, but “we also want the
people to know we are here”.
Though
yet to present his credentials to the Hungarian government, he noted that
raising successful children should be the priority of any right thinking
parents. He added that no mater how rich a parent is, if such parents fail to
help prepare their children against the life obstacles, then it is outright
failure.
He
therefore enjoined parents to give their best to their children in order to
perfect skills which would enhance the young ones to succeed academically.
The
visit seems to electrify the senior citizens as most of them – even with
walking wheel – danced to the “uncustomary” visit with their faces wreathed in
smiles.
However,
the situation at the Children’s Home appeared more interesting as the kids whose
ages fall between 8 and 20 mingled freely with their visitors. They smiled
their thanks with curiosity, questions, jokes, dance and what could be
described as genuine appreciation.
Similarly,
the directors of both social institutions expressed their gratitude. Barta
Zsolt of Elderly Home described the occasion as an extra-ordinary way to start
work at the institution. Feséregyháziné Girtler Andrea of Children’s Home
simply said, “It is a day these children will never forget. It is intercultural
at its best”.
While
Majoros Lajos, 10, kept asking where the gifts come from; Németh Zsuzsi, 14
read a brief History of Nigeria. She described Nigeria
as the art of music in Africa.
And
indeed, the trio of Foluke, Lanre and Remi combined voice sonorous with an
elegant beating of conga and talking drum to drive Miss Németh’s point home.
The
elderly got a flat screen television and the children got a tent, trampoline
and scooters which was unpacked immediately for onward use.
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