Cuba Wants Bilateral Relations with Nigeria Strengthened, Commends Obasanjo, Soyinka

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

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 the country  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 series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) 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 ties are based on mutual solidarity.
“We have made progress in the exchange of experiences in working with political parties, youth organisations and the civil society. At the international arena, both countries have maintained a fluid relationship of mutual cooperation, based on respect between nations,” she added.
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 Joe 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.
He said it was to denounce the inclusion of Cuba on that list which seeks to economically suffocate 11 million Cubans and create through the 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 Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and  Trade Union Congress (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 was based on shared values.