05/10/2026
π A Historic Visit to Bayelsa: Building Bridges Through Culture, Knowledge & Friendship
It was a great honour and privilege for Prof. Steve Azaiki, OON, Founder and Chairman of the Azaiki Foundation, Azaiki Public Library and Azaiki Arts Gallery β The Museum of African Arts, to host His Excellency, Ambassador Le Viet Hoang, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on his first visit to Bayelsa State and his first visit to the Azaiki Public Library and Azaiki Arts Gallery β The Museum of African Arts.
Ambassador Le Viet Hoang assumed his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria in August 2026, and his visit to Bayelsa represents an important opportunity for cultural exchange, friendship and the exploration of deeper connections between Vietnam and Nigeria.
The visit was more than a courtesy call. It was an opportunity to share knowledge, history, culture, art and the rich heritage of the Niger Delta with a distinguished representative of Vietnam.
During the visit, Prof. Steve Azaiki, OON, personally hosted His Excellency and introduced him to the remarkable historical and cultural story of the Niger Delta, highlighting the region's people, traditions, environment, struggles, resilience, creativity and contributions to Nigeria's development.
Through the collections and exhibitions at the Museum of African Arts, His Excellency was given a deeper understanding of how African art serves not only as a form of beauty and creativity, but also as a powerful record of identity, history, memory and civilisation.
The Azaiki Public Library's Niger Delta Museum is specifically dedicated to preserving and presenting the heritage, traditions and history of the Niger Delta, while the Museum of African Arts celebrates the diversity and creativity of African peoples.
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The warm relationship between Prof. Steve Azaiki, OON, and His Excellency Ambassador Le Viet Hoang reflects the importance of personal relationships in building stronger international partnerships.
Their engagement creates an avenue for meaningful conversations around education, culture, research, agriculture, science and technology, investment, youth development and people-to-people exchange.
This is particularly significant because Vietnam and Nigeria share a growing interest in expanding cooperation across areas including economics, trade, education, agriculture and other sectors. The Vietnamese Embassy has also highlighted opportunities for stronger cooperation with Nigeria, including investment and agricultural development.
At the heart of this historic visit is a shared vision: using knowledge, culture and friendship to connect people and nations.
Prof. Steve Azaiki's vision for the Azaiki Public Library and Museum of African Arts is to create a place where people can learn, research, appreciate history and experience Africa's cultural heritage. The library describes its mission as bridging the gap between knowledge and access while fostering education and cultural appreciation.
The visit of His Excellency therefore represents exactly the kind of international cultural and intellectual exchange that institutions such as the Azaiki Public Library and Museum of African Arts are designed to encourage.
From Bayelsa to Vietnam, from the Niger Delta to the wider world β knowledge, culture and friendship have no borders.
Prof. Steve Azaiki, OON, extends his sincere appreciation to His Excellency Ambassador Le Viet Hoang for honouring the Azaiki Public Library and Azaiki Arts Gallery with this historic visit. May this relationship continue to grow into stronger partnerships, greater understanding and lasting opportunities for the people of Nigeria and Vietnam.
Azaiki Public Library | Azaiki Arts Gallery | The Museum of African Arts
Preserving History β’ Promoting Knowledge β’ Celebrating African Culture β’ Building Global Bridges
