The President of the Senate has called for stronger ties between Nigeria and the Republic of Cuba.
Godswill Akpabio also paid tribute to Cuba’s significant role in supporting Africa’s liberation struggles, particularly in the fight against apartheid.
He made these remarks on Monday while receiving Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja.
Speaking at the meeting, Akpabio emphasized that the visit was more than a diplomatic gesture, describing it as “a reaffirmation of the enduring bonds between our two nations, bonds forged in the fire of history, strengthened by shared struggles, and sealed by an unyielding commitment to justice and sovereignty.”
Akpabio said the visit should mark not only a renewal of Nigerian/Cuban friendship “but the beginning of an even stronger alliance—one that translates our shared history into shared progress, our solidarity into economic strength, and our struggles into lasting victories.
Godswill Akpabio said on the part of the senate, are ready to explore the Cuban/Nigerian friendship group, to forge stronger ties and to allow us to have peer review mechanism on best practices on all facets of life.
He congratulated the Cuban people for their inroads particularly in the area of medicine where Cuban Doctors are all over the world doing great exploits.
The Senate President recalled the past roles played in Africa by Cuba and remarked further, saying
Cuba stood with Africa, fought for Africa. At great sacrifice, Cuba sent its sons to Africa—not as conquerors, not as exploiters, but as liberators in various countries of Africa such as Angola, Namibia,and South Africa,
He.added that Cuba’s courage and solidarity became one of the shields behind which Africa gathered its strength, however Nigeria has not forgotten this sacrifices
The visiting Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrila said the purpose of the visit was to express appreciation and gratitude, on behalf of the Cuban President and government and people of Cuba, for Nigeria’s support and solidarity with Cuba.
Parrila called for strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Cuba mostly in the field of culture, education, scientific research, health, genetic engineering and other fields of human endeavours for the sake of Nigerian and Cuban people.
Rel/Bashir M
