Embassy of Finland in Nigeria celebrated Independence Day by showcasing Finnish nature and landscape through exhibition of Finnish photographer Niko Laurila and Nokia Virtual Experience
Finland’s 102nd year of Independency was celebrated in the Embassy in Abuja on Friday 6 December, with a special focus on sustainable development and Finland’s nature through photography and virtual multimedia experience. The exhibition of young Finnish photographer Niko Laurila was opened at the Independence Day Reception, and it will run in the Ambassador’s residence until the end of the year, after which the pictures will be placed at the Embassy with the aim of creating Finnish atmosphere. Finnish nature and cityscape was also available to the guests through a 360° virtual experience provided by Nokia Nigeria, a Finnish telecoms giant.
The exhibition of Niko Laurila consists of six pictures and a video installation. The pictures introduce Finnish seasons, especially Finnish winter – snow, ice and northern lights. “Pictures are placed into our lobby where we received our estimated 400 guests. Only few of the locals have had possibility to visit Finland, so it is pleasure to us show the beauty of Finnish nature through Niko’s photos”, tells His Excellency Dr Jyrki Pulkkinen, Ambassador of Finland.
Pulkkinen and his wife have been following Niko through his Facebook pages already a long time. Niko’s exhibition in the Hague earlier this year sparked the idea of possible cooperation. “We want to encourage and give opportunities to young talented artists to get ahead in their career both at home and abroad. Finnish embassies abroad provide an excellent opportunity for this”, Pulkkinen continues.
“This is a unique opportunity and it is great to be able to introduce Finland through my photos to the world,” says Laurila gratefully. Niko Laurila is a young Finnish photographer. The followers of Niko Laurila Photography's publications have grown quickly. More than 300,000 visitors visit his site each week.
Finnish nature and cityscape was also available at the reception through a 360° virtual experience provided by Nokia Nigeria, and it was also possible to try virtual table tennis at their booth. Nokia is a 150-year-old telecoms giant with roots in Finland, the world leader with its end-to-end 5G portfolio.
Finland currently hosts the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In his speech, Ambassador reminded the audience that within the Presidency of EU, Finland has responsibilities in organizing the new commission, leading the budget preparation and pushing some important policy goals, such as sustainability and countering climate change, and clarifying the European core values, like human rights, freedom of speech, and peace, among the others.
Finland, a strong supporter of multilateral cooperation, is also committed to work globally towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, agreed by the countries of the world within the UN some years ago. Finland and Nigeria have both integrated the SDGs in their current government programmes. Ambassador Pulkkinen emphasized the importance of monitoring and evaluation of SDGs on a country level. Finland was the first country in the world that actually evaluated their SDG policies, instead of simple reporting. Nigeria on the other hand is the first country in Africa to evaluate its SDG policies. This is something to celebrate, according to the Ambassador. After his speech, the Ambassador invited Dr Bala Yusuf Yunusa to make a key note address on behalf of Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Special Senior Assistant on SDGs to the President Buhari.
Finland is a promoter of a more ambitious climate policy. Finland has set its goal to be the first carbon neutral country by 2035, and the whole EU is also now adjusting its own policy to be more ambitious. Nigeria, too, is affected by climate change. Some solutions may be found within the sphere of circular economy, an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. The Embassy has been promoting the Finnish-Nigerian partnership on creating awareness and finding political and business solutions based on circular economy here in Nigeria.