The 48thanniversary of the Glorious Victory Day of Bangladesh was celebrated at the High Commission of Bangladesh in Abuja, Nigeria in a befitting manner. The programme included, among others, hoisting of the national flag with national anthem at the Chancery at 9:00 am on 16 December 2019 by H.E. Mr. Md. ShameemAhsan,ndc, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria. After the hoisting ceremony, special prayer was offered for the salvation of the departed souls of all martyrs, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman, martyred family members and for the continued progress and prosperity of the country.
The second part of the celebration started at the auditorium of the High Commission at 7:00pm on the same day. At the outset, floral wreath was placed on the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman which was followed by one minute silence as a mark of respect to the Father of the Nation andall martyrs. Messages of the Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. A video documentary on the glorious life of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
MujiburRahman and the War of Liberation was screened. In his welcome remarks, High Commissioner Mr.Ahsan paid glowing tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman, martyrs, women and freedom fighters whose sacrifices and support led the country to the final victory. While mentioning about the foreign friends including India and the then Soviet Union, he also informed about conferring honour to foreign friends&organizations by the Government of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Mr.Ahsan urged the Bangladesh diaspora to come forward to realize the dream of “Sonar Bangla” envisioned by the Father of the Nation and to implement “Digital Bangladesh” by 2021 and a “Developed Country” by 2041 under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also touched on the projected activities to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation(Mujib Year) and the Golden Jubilee of Independence. Brigadier Gen. Jitendra Singh of Indian Army, who is currently participating at the National Defence College Course, Nigeria, spoke at the occasion and shared his satisfaction for the very special relationship between the two friendly countries while touching on the role of the Eastern Command during the War of Liberation. The High Commissioner handed over copies of the publication ”Liberation War: Friends of Bangladesh” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which contains the list of foreign friends to Brig. Jitendra Singh and Col. Yam BahadurSapkota of Nepalese Army (who is also attending NDC course) while expressing profound gratitude for the role of India and Nepal during the epic struggle. The programme ended with a special prayer.
The programme was attended by, among others, Nigerian guests including journalists, community members, Officials of the High Commission and their families. Brig General Md. Nurul Anwar of the Bangladesh Army who is currently participating at the National Defence College Course, Nigeria, was also present.
The guests were served with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.