India, Nigeria have a lot to learn from each other

He wowed the students and faculty at Gujarat Technology University (GTU) with his speech on culture, ignorance about it and the misunderstanding that arises from such ignorance. In a chat with dna, Ndubuisi Vitus Amaku, the high commissioner of Nigeria, spoke about relations between the two countries and what we can learn from each other.

Impression about Gujarat/India
I haven’t been here for too long. I arrived on the eve of New Year which means just five months. But I don’t think there is much difference between the two countries in terms of culture and outlook and hence we empathise with each other. I have not been able to see much of India although I did see the Taj Mahal. It made me realise the technological prowess that existed even then. Imagine using marble in such a magnificent way! I was left in complete awe when I came to know of its history.   

Initiatives for better India-Nigeria relations
Gandhiji supported our freedom struggle and we have had an enduring relation with India for long, although the official relations began only in the 1960s. Initiatives like the one at GTU can go a long way in cementing the relations. We are also eventually looking at student exchange programmes with universities in Nigeria, not only with GTU but other universities in India. Do you know that Amity University hosts 122 students from Nigeria? These students will be the best marketing persons for India. When they return home they will act as Public Relations people for India. Such interactions will also promote greater understanding of each other.

Learning from each other  
India’s work in reducing levels of poverty has been extremely good compared to what it was in the 70s and 80s. It has a population of 1.2 billion and reducing poverty within such a huge population is no mean task. We on the other hand have not been able to do as well as India. Your country has also made considerable advances in science and technology. Particularly praiseworthy is the way in which information technology has progressed here.

I always tell the youth in Nigeria to concentrate on engineering and IT, for that is where the future lies. India can learn from us on how to facilitate smooth business. Unlike here, businessmen don’t face many bottlenecks in doing business in Nigeria. We have around 70 Indian companies in Nigeria and you can ask them how smooth the process of setting up of business is in our country. Another thing that you can learn from is the tax system.

The tax system here actually discourages business. We on the contrary have a far more flexible tax regime.