Cuba Marks 50 Years Of Bilateral Relations with Nigeria, Seeks Enhanced Cooperation

The government of Cuba has expressed interest to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria.

Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero expressed the interest of her country at the weekend in Abuja during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Bilateral Relations between Cuba and Nigeria and the Day of Cuban Culture.

Palmero, who also revealed that no fewer than 400 Nigerian students are currently in different Cuban universities studying mainly medical sciences, said Cuba is not only seeking to maintain but also enhance and develop the ties created 50 years ago.

The envoy also revealed that both countries have signed a series of Memorandum of Understanding across some key sectors.

She said: “During these 50 years, we have worked in our bilateral relations not only to maintain but also enhance and develop the ties created. At the economic and commercial level, there has been an increase in the level of exchanges during the last two years, expanding the possibilities and opportunities for business and investments. The signing of agreements, Memoranda, and letters of intent in sectors such as health, education, Science and Technology, Agriculture, Sports, Culture and Energy, and the exchange of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products deserve special mention.

“The exchange between the private sectors is expanding and new opportunities and possibilities of cooperation are being opened.

“I would like to reiterate to the government and people of Nigeria, Cuba’s interest in continuing to strengthen our bilateral economic and commercial relations.

“I would like to reiterate to the government and people of Nigeria, Cuba’s interest in continuing to strengthen our bilateral economic and commercial relations.”

On exchanges, the envoy said “Special mention should be made of the training of more than 400 Nigerian students in different Cuban universities, mainly in medical sciences, which reinforces the fact that our ties are based on mutual solidarity.

She added that: “We have made progress in the exchange of experiences in working with political parties, youth organisations and the civil society.”

She also said “at the international arena, both countries have maintained a fluid relationship of mutual cooperation, based on respect between nations.”

The envoy appreciated Nigeria’s “vote in favour of the elimination of the economic, commercial and financial blockade unjustly imposed by the United States against our country.”

She equally commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his recent letter to President Biden requesting that Cuba be removed from the spurious list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

She also applauded Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka “for his permanent support and also for being among the many friends who signed the letter from writer Ignacio Ramonet, also addressed to the American President with the same objective, to denounce the inclusion of Cuba on that list which seeks to economically suffocate 11 million Cubans and create through these pressure mechanisms the false criterion of a situation supposedly created by the management of our revolutionary government.

She said: “We thank the solidarity movement with Cuba in Nigeria, the trade union organisations NLC and TUC for their permanent support and accompaniment in all the campaigns and struggles in defence of the rights of Cuba.

“We thank Nigerians who have always supported us so that the legacy of our ancestors is not lost.”

On her part, Director of Regions, Ambassador Janet Olisa, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, said the relationship between both countries is based on shared values.

Olisa also commended the Cuban government for its support, stating that: “The spirit of cooperation and friendship definitely is what defines our national bilateral relations over the years. We reflect on our shared values, the journey we have made so far, the huge progress that has been we have gained throughout the years, and we must thank the Cuban Government and people for the warm welcome for our students over the years.

“We have such a very strong alumni that have studied especially in the field of medicine over the years and language, like my husband will say he speaks Spanish today because of the Cuban government, free education for diplomats who serve in Havana.

“This is part of the warm reception we as Nigerians have always received in Cuba, and because of that, our relationship, the resilience and the determination that we have in order to pursue this around the world justice, ensuring that human rights is a fundamental right for everyone to be able to benefit from democratic practices and for what is good for each Country, economic growth is not left out.

“We are hoping that in the next 50 years, our business community will thrive. We’ll have more interaction in that aspect.”

Michael Olugbode

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