Ahead of the G77+China Leaders’ Summit starting Friday, Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed the desire of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to deepen existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Cuba.
Shettima, who disclosed this Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Vice President of Cuba, Salvador Valdez Mesa at the Palace De Revolution in Havana 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.
While commending the existing relationship between the two countries, the Vice President reiterated the need to re-commit to future relations, saying “our relationship has been very excellent over the years and this relations needs 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.”
Shettima stressed the need to explore opportunities in Science, Technology and Innovation as well as the agriculture sector.
He took time to deliver a special message to the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel from President Tinubu, assuring him of the President’s commitment to deepening their mutual relations.
In his remarks, Vice President of Cuba was full of praise for Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa and the world.
He said Cuba takes its relations with Nigeria very seriously, noting that the support to Africa in past decades is due to the fact that Cuba considers itself as an African State.
Mesa thus expressed his country’s readiness to explore new areas of collaboration with Nigeria in such 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.”
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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