“I have come to show our eternal gratitude to the Cuban people,” stated Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Geoffrey Onyeama, on October 4, after laying a floral wreath before a plaque honoring the country’s independence fighters, in Havana’s African Heroes Park.
With this gesture the Nigerian Foreign Minister began his official visit to the island, here to strengthen bilateral and cooperation ties between the two nations.
“We receive much assistance from the island in our country, above all in the spheres of health, education, and physical education and sports,” stated the official.
The diplomat and his delegation was accompanied by Ángel M. Villa director of the Sub-Saharan Africa department at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations.
The wreath was dedicated to Chief Obafemi Oyeniyi Awolowo, first premier of Western Nigeria (1954-1960); Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, first Prime Minister of Nigeria after independence (1960-1966); and Chief Benjamin Mnamdi Azikiwe, first President of Nigeria (1963-1966).
The plaque honoring these heroes was donated by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria accredited to Cuba in October 2014, to mark the 100th anniversary of the reunification of the country.
Cuba and Nigeria established diplomatic relations in July 1974, which have seen positive development based on solidarity and productivity.
(Granma)