A cocktail reception, hosted Monday evening by consummate hosts Professor Ernest Madu and his wife Dr Dainia Baugh in honour of visiting Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, was for those in attendance the perfect end to Emancipation Day.

The Madus, founders of the Heart Institute of the Caribbean and known throughout the region as well as the United States for their pioneer work in cardiology, curated an impressive list of enterprising Nigerian residents and Jamaican friends to engage Onyeama in a comfy-chic setting where barely-audible Afrobeats music ensured an easy flow of conversation, glasses of Champagne and premium Scotch brands were refilled in between sips and passed gourmet bites courtesy of caterer Petra Edwards tantalised the palates.

On form with witty repartee were president of the Senate of Jamaica Tom Tavares Finson; Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica Ambassador Dr Maureen Tamuno, PhD; and Chris Okonmah, CEO, Total Energies Jamaica.

Indeed, the official welcome and introduction by Professor Madu of Onyeama complete with Icho Oji aka the Kola Nut (the sacred fruit is presented to visitors as a sign of hospitality); known locally as bissi was the perfect opportunity for the Foreign Affairs Minister to thank his gracious hosts, laud their work in cardiology in Jamaica and underscore his wish for closer relationship between Jamaica and Nigeria in trade, travel and collaboration.

Tavares-Finson, who responded on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, spoke of his first visit to Lagos, Nigeria, as a student of the law in the United Kingdom, of the effervescent personality of Ambassador Maureen Tamuno and the wish of the Andrew Holness-led Government to deepen ties between both countries. An invitation for Tavares-Finson to revisit was proferred by Minister Onyeama.

The cosy fireside chat continued with the guest of honour comfortably sharing and receiving, leaving little doubt that the seeds now firmly planted will be fertilised and reaped for generations.