The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has called for closer ties between Nigeria and Republic of Cuba.
Akpabio also paid glowing tribute to liberation roles played by the Caribbean country during the struggle against apartheid in Africa.
He made the remarks while receiving in audience on Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrila who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
Speaking at the reception, the Senate President said the visit was not merely a gesture of diplomacy "but a reaffirmation of the enduring bonds between our two nations—bonds forged in the fire of history, strengthened by shared struggles, and sealed by an unyielding commitment to justice and sovereignty."
Akpabio said the visit should mark not only a renewal of Nigerian/Cuban friendship "but the beginning of an even stronger alliance—one that translates our shared history into shared progress, our solidarity into economic strength, and our struggles into lasting victories.
"On the part of the Parliament, we are ready to explore the Cuban/Nigerian friendship group, to forge stronger ties and to allow us to have peer review mechanism on best practices on all facets of life."
Akpabio congratulated the Cuban people for their inroads particularly in the area of medicine where Cuban Doctors are all over the world doing great exploits.
The Senate President recalled the past roles played in Africa by Cuba and remarked further: "Africa remembers. When the forces of oppression sought to choke the life out of an entire continent, when apartheid reigned as an insult to human dignity, when nations wavered and hesitated—Cuba did not.
"Cuba stood with Africa. Cuba fought for Africa. At great sacrifice, Cuba sent its sons to Africa—not as conquerors, not as exploiters, but as liberators. In Angola, in Namibia, in South Africa, Cuba’s courage and solidarity became one of the shields behind which Africa gathered its strength.
"To the Cuban people, we say this: Nigeria has not forgotten, and Nigeria will not falter. Together, we move forward—undaunted, unafraid, and unyielding.
Your Excellency, welcome to Nigeria. May this visit be the dawn of greater things to come."
The visiting Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrila said the purpose of the visit was to express appreciation and gratitude, on behalf of the Cuban President and government and people of Cuba, for Nigeria's support and solidarity with Cuba.
Parrila called for strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Cuba mostly in the field of culture, education, scientific research, health, genetic engineering and other fields of human endeavours for the sake of Nigerian and Cuban people.