+ Says, He’s Africa’s true role model
The French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday heaped accolades on business mogul and Chairman of telecommunications giant, Globacom, Dr Mike Adenuga, describing him as a true role model for Africa.
Macron, on his second day in Lagos as part of his State Visit to Nigeria, particularly lauded Adenuga for his commitment to the relationship between France and Nigeria, especially in the area of promoting the cultures of the two countries.
The French President was speaking while unveiling the new Alliance Francaise Centre in Ikoyi, a French Cultural Centre in Nigeria, which was named after Adenuga.
“This was made possible by the power of your commitment – Chairman Adenuga, his wife and the whole family. This is precisely about having people empowering the people in order to convey these messages and to make the friendship between two countries, between different cultures, something visible, something vibrant, and to lift barriers,” Macron said.
Adenuga was also conferred with the highest French National Honour of Commander of French Legion.
Aside the host Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the ceremony at the new centre, attracted other prominent Nigerians including Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion; former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, banker Tony Elumelu, among others.
The new centre was said to have been built with the financial aid of Adenuga.
Macron said the centre was part of the measures to scale up the relationship between France and Nigeria and pledged the commitment of his government and people of France to develop infrastructure in key sectors in Lagos State.
“Mr Governor, we spoke yesterday (Tuesday) while going to the shrine and on our way to this place, Alliance Francaise, in the car.
“But at the end of it all, I realised that both of us did share same views that we can do tremendous things together. Lagos is one of the challenges of, not only Nigeria, but Africa.
“This huge city is a tremendous challenge about how to make people live together in peace and better society; I want France to be part of this story.
“I do want my country and citizens to be part of this experience, which means sharing same values, cultures, languages, literature, music, movies, projects, common economic projects, among others,” Macron said.
He said that the development of the French Cultural Centre was part of the measures to scale up the relationship between France and Nigeria.
“I see the Alliance Francaise as a commitment aimed at enhancing the friendship between both countries, who have different cultures, but vivid and vibrant as well as lifting barriers that have existed between both cultures.
“The common space we have is not linked to language or country.
“We are different people; but we share same values and it is precisely this common values we want to convey. The Alliance Francaise is one of the best illustrations of this commitment,” Macron said.
