Amidst pomp and celebration, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode performed the formal commissioning of the Nigerian Cultural House in Perlourinho, Brazil, last weekend. Opening the house, Prince Adetokunbo told the joyous crowd that Nigeria has finally taken its rightful place in the world's cultures; he also said that the opening of the house would not only promote Nigerian culture, but also further strengthen ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

This sentiment was re-echoed by the Governor of Bahia State, Mr. Jacques Wagner, when he expressed the hope that relations between both countries would receive a boost as demonstrated at the occasion. He informed his audience that with the opening of the house, Nigeria has become the third Africa country to have a cultural house in Salvador after Angola and Benin Republic.

The event, which was attended by senior Brazilian government officials and business community, which included the representative of the Mayor of Salvador, saw a colourful display of Nigeria culture as the National Troupe of Nigeria won the hearts of the audience with its artistic renditions and turned the atmosphere into a carnival with dancing and singing. The singing and chanting included the Ogun praise in a most enticing manner by former Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Wande Abimbola.

The Minister assured the people of the readiness of the government of Nigeria to continue to work with the Brazilian authority in harnessing and promoting the healthy cultural relations between the two countries. He also declared that a closer tie between the two countries is very dear to Nigeria which regards Brazil as a 'sister country.'

The Minister also noted that the Nigerian House also has an equivalent in Nigeria, referring to the Brazil Quarter in Lagos, which, according to him, was the exclusive residential area for returnees from Brazil after the abolition of the slave trade. He concluded that the quarter would someday be declared a World Heritage Site, just like the Perlourinho of Brazil.