Nigeria set to strengthen ties with Cuba, says Shettima

“Our relationship has been very excellent over the years and this relation needs to be strengthened and upscaled,” Shettima told his Cuban counterpart Salvador Valdez Mesa at the Palace De Revolution in Havana.

The State House Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, revealed this in a statement he signed on Tuesday.

The statement is titled ‘G77+China Leaders’ Summit: Nigeria, Cuba to deepen strategic relations.’

Shettima traced the history of relations between Nigeria, Africa, and Cuba especially its support for Southern Africa saying “We hold Cuba in high esteem especially your commitment to us in Africa…this is why I came with Ministers of Agriculture and that of Science, Technology and Innovation to explore future areas of partnership.”

The Vice President stressed the need to explore opportunities in Science, Technology, and Innovation as well as the agriculture sector.

He delivered a special message to the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, from President Bola Tinubu, assuring him of the latter’s commitment to deepening their mutual relations.

In his remarks, Cuba’s Vice President praised Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and the world.

Mesa said Cuba takes its relations with Nigeria seriously, noting that the support to Africa in past decades is due to the fact that Cuba considers itself an African State.

He expressed his country’s readiness to explore new areas of collaboration with Nigeria in sectors such as health, biodiversity, and agriculture. He also thanked Nigeria for its participation at the upcoming Summit saying “We attach great importance to your presence here.”

The Havana Summit is being hosted by the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, in his capacity as Chairman of the G77 and China, under the theme: “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation.”

On VP’s delegation were the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Adamu Lamuwa, and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba, Ben Okoyen, amongst others.