The Consulate General of Nigeria in New York has informed diasporans that it will be holding Adire textile Exhibition in New York as part of its programmes for 2023.

Originating from Abeokuta in Southwestern Nigeria, Adire textile is an indigenous indigo-dyed cloth made by using different wax resist methods to create dazzling designs.

The Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija, said this at the virtual 8th Town Hall Meeting with the Nigerian Community within New York Jurisdiction.

“We’ll be having a joint exhibition in this regard with the Consulate General of Indonesia to see how we can exhibit our national product – the Adire fabric.

“We are in talks with the Government of Indonesia to see the better time to execute it. We will be informing you when to undertake this exhibition.

“Also, we will be exhibiting with the Indian Consulate this year. We will be observing the International Year of Millet. You will agree with me that Nigeria is one the largest producers of Millet in the world,’’ he said.

“So, in this regard, the Indian Consulate and Nigerian Consulate in New York will explore possibility of celebrating the Day and we will inform you through our communication channel,’’ he said.

Nigeria is the third largest millet producing country in the world after India and China, and the leading producer in Africa.

Recall that the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 countries declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

The resolution is aimed at raising awareness about the health benefits of the grain and their suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions.

The resolution titled ‘International Year of Millets 2023’ was initiated by India with Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia and Senegal and was co-sponsored by over 70 nations.

Mr Egopija said the Consulate, as part of its programmes in 2023, would be reviving sister city relationship with some boroughs and cities in New York.

“We have come to the realisation that before now we were part of sister city relationship between some cities in New York and some cities in Nigeria and most of these relations have gone moribund.

“We want to see how we can explore, revive some of them and to see how through this sister city relations, our people back home can enjoy educational exchange and enjoy medical facilities,’’ he said.

The envoy further said the Consulate would be collaborating with the management of Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx to reach out to Nigerians in New York to provide medical services for them.

He also thanked the Nigerian Nurses in New York for their commitment to its quarterly medical outreach at the Nigeria House, noting the outreach now holds monthly to reach out to nationals coming for consular services.

“We are more than appreciative, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that we improve the health and wellness of Nigerians.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to do what we have to do to make sure that we give better service,’’ Mr Egopija said.

A representative of Lincoln Hospital was invited to brief the nationals on its healthcare programme and how Nigerians in New York could benefit from it.

(NAN)