‘Why Nigeria should develop its agriculture, ports’

Today, the Indian Cultural Association celebrates India’s 70th Independence. The association’s president, Chief Sanjay Jain, in this chat with ISAAC TAIWO, gives reason for the celebration and also sheds light on what the socio-cultural organisation stands for.

Why is your association celebrating today?
India obtained Independence 70 years ago and our association, as usual, deems it fit to celebrate along with our country, the memorable occasion. We want our younger generation to know that it was not easy to get independence from Britain. We want to let them know that a lot of sacrifice went into it and it was bloody. We want the younger generation to know that the freedom they are enjoying today was not obtained on a platter of gold. They should cherish it.

What does the association stand for?
It is an umbrella body for all Indians staying in Nigeria and the main objective is to provide charitable projects and services for the needy in Nigeria. The association also engages in cultural activities to facilitate interactions between our community and Nigeria. This is because we are in Nigeria and we believe there is need to promote cordial relationship between the two countries.

We carry out lots of charitable projects. We carried out surveys and found out that many schools lack drinking water within Ilupeju environs. We went to schools and were able to identify schools with the population of about two to three thousand students having no drinking water. We provided them with boreholes and every other facility that would enhance the usage of the water. This we did for about 100 schools and we are still on course. We ensure maintenance of the projects. The students are happy with the management of the schools, which gave us satisfaction.

We also visited Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and provided them with boreholes. We sunk one at the Anatomy department which was commissioned at the instance of the Lagos State Commissioner for Health. We extended the privilege to other departments.

What is your impact on health?
We provide artificial limbs free of cost. We are also involved in what we call Mission for Vision while in addition to the above, we also organize health camps. We associate with Hindu Mandir Foundation to be able to reach the larger society.

Indian Cultural Association is always involved in humanitarian services. In the case of blood donation camps, we involved Nigerians as well as the Indians. We donate the blood to the blood bank in collaboration with Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service to be used by anyone in need. Sometimes, Indians too could need blood, and they too would have access to the blood in the blood bank. We also give free drugs. We have some Indian companies that deal with drugs. What we do is to go to them to collect drugs. We do not go for special drugs which only doctors can prescribe. However, we go for drugs like blood tonic, paracetamol, panadol, multivitamin among others. We collect these drugs in big quantity and donate to the beneficiaries.

In Okobaba, there is a destitute centre where we have more than 1,000 inmates. We give them huge quantity of drugs. They have their own doctors there who collect drugs from us and distribute to them according to their need.

What do you think Nigerians need to learn from Indians and vice-versa?
I have a lot of praises for Nigerians. We got independence in the year 1947 while Nigeria got independence in 1960. India is the second largest country in the world, while Nigeria is 7th. Nigeria is a big country and it is like every 20% of any population in any African nation are Nigerians.

Indian should learn oratory from Nigerians because many Nigerians are good orators. Nigerians have good command of English language and can comfortably discuss any subject. However, it is not so in India. I think Indians should learn this. There is a gap of only 13 years between the period we both got our independence. Nigerians also dance very well. Indians are good in dancing, but not like Nigerians. Both of us are developing countries that need a lot of resources for development for our nations to grow. Nigerians can benefit from Indians in terms of technology, ICT and agricultural equipment. One thing is that the cost of agricultural equipment from Indian is less than in any other nation, especially from Europe and they do the same work. Nigerians have a lot to benefit from India in the area of technology and cheap equipment.

How can the two countries benefit in the area of entrepreneurship?
By virtue of my profession as a chartered accountant, head of a company and having done a lot of analysis on business development, I would say that reliance on oil has to stop which Nigeria has started. Agriculture which Nigeria is delving into should be faced sternly. Nigeria government should also develop the ports. While I commend those in charge of Ports Authority, Nigeria government would have to look into the ports and eliminate few bad eggs there.

I foresee good thing happening very soon because of the bridge in the gap of the dollar and Naira. Nigeria economy would come up and there are lots of positive indications that exporters and importers would have a lot to benefit from business opportunities that would soon evolve. As foreign reserve is increasing by day, there is hope and that is why I praise President Buhari and the acting President Prof. Osinbajo for the good works they are doing. Things take time to change and improve, and Nigerians just have to be patient and believe. International investors are happy at the improvement taking place in Nigeria.

Nigerians are hardworking and good entrepreneurs. Each part of the nation is talented one way or the other. Igbo people are good in trading, Yorubas are intellectuals while the Hausa are good in agriculture.

How would you describe bi-lateral trade between India and Nigeria?
It is good and steadily improving. There is need for the two countries to engage in big projects like what is happening between Nigeria and China. It was like that before between Nigeria and India and I think something went wrong somewhere. No doubt, there is need for improvement in our bi-lateral trade.

How do you marry the culture in Nigeria with that of India?
I have been in Nigeria for the past 25 years and I have chieftancy title “Asiwaju” from Oba of Mushin. There are lots of similarities in our culture. For example, in India, we take care of our aged ones and I see similar thing among Nigerians. Just as we take care of our old parents and respect them, so they do in Nigeria also. Particularly in Yoruba land. I have seen this and I am so happy. I have neighbours here and my interaction with them made me to know that we have a lot in common in terms of culture.

Do you offer scholarships?
We have this in two segments. First of all, we interact with schools that embrace Sports like football, basket ball among others and we sponsor these activities. We provide cash awards and donate trophies to encourage them. We offer scholarships to students on laid down criteria. Between 35 to 40 students have enjoyed scholarships offered by Indian communities.

When was your association founded?
It is more than 50 years going to 60 years now. Presidents of the Association have always been big men of Indian community. Those who have industries or those who occupy big posts among others. They use their positions to solicit for assistance from other Indians to run big charitable projects. We make them to see the need to be engaged in Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR). We collect donations, and dispel them on charities.

We have a committee which is made up of 32 people and every two years, we change members of the committee. All Indians are members of the Association which is more than 50,000. In fact every Indian is a member of the Cultural Association. They all come from various segments of the society. They contribute money, render services among others without getting anything back. We also go to companies with large staff and set up blood donation camps there.