Nigeria Enriches British Life, Culture, Says Envoy

•  Commends Queen Elizabeth II at 90 for selflessness, dedication to UK

Jaiyeola Andrews in Abuja

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, has lauded Nigeria and its citizens for enriching British life, society and culture

He equally described Queen Elizabeth II, who just celebrated her 90th birthday, as an example of selfless devotion to duty, of service to her country and the Commonwealth, of which she is head.

He also said the queen was an example of hard work, diligence and resilience.

Arkwright spoke when he hosted a party in Abuja on Thursday night to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday.

Guests from Abuja and beyond joined the celebrations, including Nigeria’s Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Governors of Imo, Kaduna, Katsina and Nasarawa states.

There was representation from Nigeria’s National Assembly, government agencies, the diplomatic corps, media, civil society, business communities and the academia.

2016 also marked 60 years since Queen Elizabeth II made her first visit to Nigeria

“We are celebrating today the 90th birthday of a remarkable woman who is an example to us all; an example of selfless devotion to duty, of service to her country and the commonwealth, of which she is head. And she’s an example of handwork, diligence and resilience.

“Among her visits to 116 countries as Queen, she’s been here in Nigeria twice. She was here in 1956 where she toured different parts of Nigeria visiting Lagos, Kano Kaduna and the eastern region. And in 2003, she was back in Nigeria for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

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