By Weekenders Magazine
The Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, joined students, academics and invited guests at Baze University, Abuja, to commemorate NAIDOC Week, Australia’s annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians.
The event, hosted by Baze University, reflected Australia’s commitment to recognising its Indigenous peoples while promoting inclusiveness, cultural diversity and national unity.
Speaking at the celebration, High Commissioner Bin-Juda described NAIDOC Week as an important occasion to honour the resilience, identity and invaluable contributions of Indigenous Australians, whose heritage remains central to Australia’s history and national development.
Also speaking, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi of Baze University commended the Australian High Commission for bringing the celebration to the university community, noting that the event offered students and scholars a deeper understanding of Australia’s rich Indigenous heritage and multicultural identity.
Professor Adeniyi observed that Australia, popularly known as the “Land Down Under,” has evolved into a thriving multicultural society where Indigenous Australians, settlers and migrants have successfully integrated, making the country an outstanding example of peaceful diversity and national cohesion.
He further highlighted Australia’s unique demographic and geographical profile, explaining that although the country covers approximately 7.69 million square kilometres—about eight times the size of Nigeria—it has a population of only about 27 million people. Nigeria, by comparison, occupies about 923,768 square kilometres with an estimated population of 230 million.
According to Professor Adeniyi, the statistics present important lessons for Nigeria on the possibilities that can be achieved through visionary leadership, innovation, effective planning, collective national resolve and the political will to harness available resources for sustainable development.
He also applauded High Commissioner Bin-Juda for making Australia appear more accessible to Nigerians through educational and cultural engagements, recalling her reassuring remark that travelling to Australia is “just one stop in Doha, and then you are off to Australia.” He noted that such simple but encouraging messages help dispel the perception that Australia is too distant for meaningful engagement.
The celebration further strengthened educational, cultural and people-to-people ties between Nigeria and Australia while encouraging greater collaboration in academic exchange, cultural understanding and international partnership.