. To award 500 scholarships to Nigerians
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, says over 135 Indian companies have invested $19 billion in Nigeria in the last four decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Mr Balasubramanian, who said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, commended the India-Nigeria mutual bilateral relations.
He said the relationship between India and Nigeria had been excellent, saying the visit was to deepen news and cultural programme exchanges between both countries.
According to him, the visit seeks to promote avenues whereby India and Nigeria could cooperate through information sharing, and news networks, among other things.
“The cultural relations, the connection between our people is really good, and with your assistance, I will certainly like to strengthen this tie. There are over 135 Indian companies which have invested about $19 billion in Nigeria over a period of years, not in one year, but for the past four decades,” the Indian ambassador explained.
Mr Balasubramanian added, “Most of them are in Lagos, they are in every part of Nigeria and are in the manufacturing sector of the economy, steel, oil and gas or pharmaceuticals. Three billion dollars of that is in pharmaceuticals manufactured in Nigeria by Indian companies. There is a strong relationship we have in pharmaceuticals and other business activities.”
The Indian High Commissioner noted that Nigeria “is home to about 60,000 Indians living and who have made Nigeria their home literally, for the past four decades.”
He revealed that Nigeria’s invitation as a guest participant to the G20 Summit scheduled for 2023 in India would form a unique opportunity to showcase the priority of developing countries to the world.
There are over 135 Indian companies which have invested about $19 billion in Nigeria over a period of years, not in one year, but for the past four decades.
Students’ scholarships
Mr Balasubramanian also said the country would offer 500 scholarships to Nigerians in 2023.
“We will be having a group of Journalists from Nigeria go to India, not on a course but” actually a field visit being organised to expose India,” he said. “In other words, what India has been doing in the area of politics, we will not be doing it exclusively for Nigeria, but for West Africa, for about 30 people.”
He added, “I am sure that Nigeria, being a part of G20, will be able to get more numbers, so we will be doing it after March and April. I will discuss it with you to get your recommendations also; we do award 500 scholarships every year to Nigerians, 250 of them are on the civilian side.”
The Indian Ambassador also mentioned that the scholarship involved other courses that journalists could be interested in, saying: “we work on a calendar basis, and our financial year comes to close in March.”
Mr Balasubramanian added, “So, March to April is our calendar through which we do all these things. Currently, it is two and a half months that are available but come April, it will be the first 250, and we will be happy to continue these things.” (NAN)
