It was a joyous experience to celebrate with Namibian brothers and sisters here in
Finland on the silver jubilee of the great nation's independence. The
event took place in Helsinki, it also marked the first public
function of the first head of Namibia's first foreign service in Finland,
H. E. Ambassador Bonny Haufiku.
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His Excellency Bonny Haufiku
Namibian Ambassador to Finland
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The colorful
occasion was graced by a cream of high level representatives of
various foreign services, the business community, various
organizations and other individuals.
Finland's minister
for foreign affairs Sirpa Paatero who was a special guest at the
occasion, in her address went down the history lane recounting how as
far back as the early 1800s, Finland had established relationship
with Namibia through missionary works in Ovamboland, a relationship
that continued, and eventually led to Finland's immense contribution towards
Namibia's struggle for independence, and the exceptional role of
Nobel Laureate President Matti Ahtisari in brokering Namibia's
independence.
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| Sirpa Paatero
Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs
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Namibia's
Ambassador to Finland H E Bonny Haufiku earlier in his welcome
address spoke about the hard work done so far by his staff of mostly
women in putting together a functional office, and for being able to
put together the occasion. He also spoke about the recently concluded
successful free and fair election exercise in Namibia, carried out
through electronic voting, the first of its kind in Africa.
H E Bonny Haufiku also paid tribute to the out going president of the Republic of Namibia, H E Hifikepunye Pohamba who just recently won the highly acclaimed African prize for good governance, the Mo Ibrahim prize.
H E Bonny Haufiku also paid tribute to the out going president of the Republic of Namibia, H E Hifikepunye Pohamba who just recently won the highly acclaimed African prize for good governance, the Mo Ibrahim prize.
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A cross section of celebrants
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| American Basketball ex Professional, Greg Joyner with Nigerian ex Broadcaster Ike Chime
celebrating with the Namibians
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