Owasim Uddin Bhuyan
Bangladesh and Nigeria have jointly released a commemorative stamp marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh and also the father of the nation.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and his Nigerian counterpart Geoffrey Onyeama jointly unveiled the commemorative stamp of Nigerian Postal Service virtually on August 27, 2020, according to foreign ministry officials in Dhaka.
The programme was hosted by Bangladesh high commission in Abuja, capital of Nigeria, which has been the largest economy of Africa.
Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), in association with the Bangladesh High Commission to Nigeria, published the commemorative stamp. It was a part of the year-long celebratory programs of the high commission to observe Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, the MoFA officials said.
Speaking at the launching session, Bangladesh FM Momen said that both countries were currently working for signing of few agreements/MoUs on agriculture, education, culture, defence, avoidance of double taxation, etc.
The Bangladesh FM urged Nigeria to continue playing stronger role in the UN and in other forums to stop tortures on Rohingyas and expedite repatriation to their place of origin in Rakhine state.
Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showed humanity by giving shelters to over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, a southern district in Bangladesh.
He thanked the Nigerian government for publishing the stamp to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. He mentioned that such an initiative would deepen and strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the meeting, Nigerian foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama said the two countries would be benefited mutually through joint efforts. He said the stamp has been released as a sign of good relations between the two countries.
Bangabandhu was a hero not only to the Bangalis but also to all peace-loving people across the world, Nigerian foreign minister said.
Geoffrey Onyeama described Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as “an icon in the struggle for the independence of Bangladesh, and a personification of the principles of freedom and equity.”
The Nigerian FM expressed satisfaction that his country released the commemorative stamp to mark the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s founding father.
A video documentary on Bangabandhu’s works and life was screened.
Bangladesh State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam and foreign secretary Masud bin Momen also joined the programme virtually. Bangladesh high commissioner to Nigeria M Shameem Ahsan and Nigerian Postal Service director general Ismail Adebayo Adewusi along with Bangladeshi expatriates residing in Nigeria also joined the ceremony.
In his remarks, the Dr Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, post master general of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), expressed his satisfaction for being part of the initiative while informing that the commemorative stamp is one historic piece and will travel beyond Nigeria.
He said the commemorative stamp, which comes in a single denomination of 100 Nigerian naira, is now available for purchase at all post offices across Nigeria and at the Nigerian Philatelic Bureau, Lagos.
Among others, Salaheddine-Abbas Ibrahima, dean of the Diplomatic Corps and high commissioner of Cameroon; Abhay Thakur, high commissioner of India; and members of the Bangladeshi community were present at the event.
