APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed the desire of the Nigerian Government to deepen existing bilateral relations with the Republic of Cuba.
Shettima, who is currently in Cuba to represent Nigerian President Bola Tinubu at the G77+China Leaders’ Summit in Havana, Cuba, which is holding from Sept. 15 to 17, stated this desire when he paid a courtesy visit to the Vice President of Cuba, Salvador Valdez Mesa at the Palace De Revolution, Havana.
The Nigerian Vice President traced the history of relations between Nigeria, Africa and Cuba, especially its support for Southern Africa.
“We hold Cuba in high esteem, especially your commitment to us in Africa,” he said.
The statement on Thursday by the Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Mr Olusola Abiola, stated that Shettima commended the existing relations between the two countries and reiterated the need for the two countries to re-commit to future relations.
“Our relationship has been very excellent over the years and this relations need to be strengthened and upscaled.
“This is why I came with Ministers of Agriculture and that of Science, Technology and Innovation to explore future areas of partnership,” he said.
He stressed the need to explore opportunities in Science, Technology and Innovation as well as the agriculture sector.
While delivering the special message to the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel from President Tinubu, Shettima assured the Cuban leader of the commitment of Nigerian government towards deepening their mutual relations.
In his remarks, the Vice President of Cuba, praised Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and the world.
He stated that Cuba takes its relations with Nigeria very seriously, noting that the support to Africa in past decades was due to the fact that Cuba considers itself as an African State.
He, therefore, expressed his country’s readiness to explore new areas of collaboration with Nigeria in health, biodiversity and agriculture.
He also thanked Nigeria for its participation at the upcoming Summit saying, “we attach great importance to your presence here.”
GIK/APA
Nigeria pledges to deepen strategic relations with Cuba
