Akpabio Wecome Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parilla: Full Speech

Akpabio wecome minister of foreign affairs of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez Parilla in his full speech says. It is with the utmost honor and warmth that I welcome you to Nigeria.

Your visit is 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.

Nigeria and Cuba have stood together for decades—not as strangers bound by convenience, but as allies bound by principle.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974, our two nations have championed the cause of self-determination, equality, and the right of all peoples to govern themselves, free from coercion or subjugation. We have upheld the right of every nation to be the master of its own destiny.

And we remember. 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.

Your iconic statesman and former president, Fidel Castro, put it succinctly at the 12th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Durban, South Africa, on September 2, 1998, when he said: “The blood of Cuban internationalists was shed for Africa, alongside the blood of Africans.

It was shed in defense of Africa’s sovereignty and independence. It was shed in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

Africa is in our hearts. The Cuban people hold the people of Africa in the highest regard. We are brothers and sisters.”

The decisive role Cuba played in dismantling the apartheid regime’s military strongholds and in the defeat of apartheid and colonial rule shall never be forgotten. And today, as we stand free, as the chains of oppression lie broken, we say this: Nigeria will always remember. Africa will always remember.

Your Excellency, this visit presents yet another opportunity to deepen our ties. Nigeria is eager to explore new frontiers of cooperation with Cuba—in trade, education, healthcare, technology, and culture. Together, we can build a future where the prosperity of our peoples is no longer dictated by external forces but by our own ingenuity and determination.

We are also united in our commitment to global peace, security, and a new international order—one that respects the sovereignty of all nations, big or small. As members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Group of 77 plus China, we share a common vision of a world where no nation is subjected to economic strangulation simply for choosing its own path.

And on this matter, let me be unequivocal: Nigeria opposes, in the strongest terms, the unjust economic embargo imposed on Cuba. The world must recognize that no man-made embargo can compare to the boundless gifts of nature—air, water, land—all freely given by God. When properly harnessed, these gifts are sufficient to overcome any embargo. Economic blockades are relics of the past, tools of coercion unworthy of the modern world, and grave violations of international law.

Time and again, Nigeria has stood in the halls of the United Nations, casting its vote in defiance of injustice, demanding an end to this siege upon the Cuban people. We recognize the hardship these sanctions have inflicted, and we extend not only our sympathy but our unwavering solidarity.

Akpabio and Bruno Rodriguez Parilla

As José Martí, that towering figure of Cuban resistance, once declared: “Liberty is the right of every man to be honest, to think and to speak without hypocrisy.” Cuba has exercised that right—at great cost, but with unbroken will. And so long as Cuba stands for its dignity, Nigeria shall stand with Cuba.

This visit must mark not only a renewal of our 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.

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.

Alex Otti To Revamp National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker For Tourism

Alex Otti to revamp National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker for tourism. “By revamping these sites, we will not only preserve history but also create economic opportunities through tourism,” he said.

The Abia government says it will collaborate with the federal government to upgrade the National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker, both in Umuahia, into world-class tourism destinations.

Information commissioner Okey Kanu disclosed this at the Government House, Umuahi while briefing journalists on the outcome of Monday’s State Executive Council meeting.

Mr Kanu said the initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, aims to preserve the state’s rich historical heritage while boosting tourism.

He expressed the Abia government’s commitment to making Abia a key destination for historical and cultural tourism.

“By revamping these sites, we will not only preserve history but also create economic opportunities through tourism,” he said.
According to him, the government has made broader efforts to identify and develop tourism sites across the state.

Mr Kanu also said the ministry recently discovered over 55 unique heritage sites across the state. He listed the sites to include Ulochukwu Cave in Alayi in Bende, the Mazi Okoro Orji’s Compound in Arochukwu, and Ntubugwo Oloko in Ikwuano, where participants in the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 were tried, among others.

The commissioner also affirmed the government’s commitment to building a five-star hotel in Umuahia to support the growing tourism sector.

“These projects are part of a comprehensive strategy to make Abia a leading tourism hub, attract visitors, and boost the state’s economy,” Mr Kanu said.

Also, the commissioner for arts, culture, and creative economy, Matthew Ekwuribe, said Abia has numerous historical and natural attractions.

“Abia is blessed with waterfalls in at least three LGAs, caves in places like Alayi, Isuikwuato, and Umunneochi, as well as the Azumini Blue River, a unique natural attraction.

Alex Otti

We also have Akwaete Beach, which remains an untapped coastal treasure,” Mr Ekwuribe said.
He also said if the sites got properly developed, they could position the state as a top tourism destination in Nigeria and beyond.

The commissioner also spoke about the uniqueness of the National War Museum, the only one of its kind in West Africa, and the Ojukwu Bunker, which played a significant role during the Nigerian Civil War.

He said, “These historical sites, if properly rehabilitated, would attract visitors from across the country and beyond.”

Dangote Reveals Plan To Build 6 Mta Cement Plant In Itori, Largest Seaport At Olokola, Ogun state

Dangote reveals plan to build 6 Mta cement plant in Itori, largest Seaport at Olokola and Ogun state. He said Ogun State is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria.

Africa’s foremost Industrialist and President of the Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed his plan to build in Ogun State, a multi-billion-dollar Seaport, which will be the largest in Nigeria.

He also said two new lines with a capacity of 6.0 million metric tons per annum, (Mta), for the cement plant is being constructed at Itori

Addressing the Ogun State Executive Council led by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun during a courtesy visit, to the governor in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Dangote said he has decided to return and invest in Ogun State because of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration’s vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting investors, as well as the investor-friendly climate that exists in the state.

He said Ogun State is one of the most attractive investment destinations in Nigeria, positioning itself as the manufacturing ‘bedrock’ of Nigeria.

According to him:”We had earlier abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ), but because of your policies and investor-friendly environment, I want to say we are back and will work with the state government to return to Olokola, and plans are underway to construct the largest port in the country,” he pledged.

“I would especially like to commend, in a special way, my good friend and brother, Your Excellency, the governor of Ogun State, for your vision and deliberate policies that focus on attracting enterprises through immense support for the private sector, which is now attracting investors.

“Our factory at Itori was pulled down twice. When we started the second time, they not only demolished the factory but also the fence, so we left. But right now, because of His Excellency, our governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, we are back. When you visit the factory, you will be surprised at what we have done.

Giving an update on the company’s ongoing projects in the state, Dangote said two new lines with a capacity of 6.0 million metric tons per annum for the cement plant is being constructed at Itori, while the 12 million metric tons per annum cement plant is also located at Ibeshe.

Upon completion, the Dangote assured, the total capacity of the company’s cement plants in the state would be in the neighborhood of 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the highest cement-producing state or region in Africa.

“With the contributions of other cement producers in the state, Ogun remains far ahead of other countries across Africa in terms of cement production,” he said.

Dangote Cement, according to the Dangote Group President, is the leading cement producer in Africa with a capacity of 52.0 million metric tons per annum across the African continent.

He added that 70 percent of the production is carried out in Nigeria, with the Obajana plant in Kogi State accounting for 16.25 million metric tons per annum, the largest in Africa.

He said investment in the manufacturing of the product has made the nation self-sufficient in cement, just as the country is now self-sufficient in fertilizer, with the surplus going to the export market, thus earning the nation the needed foreign exchange.

While noting that the company’s target is to make Nigeria self-sufficient in whatever it consumes, Alhaji Dangote informed that the company is currently meeting domestic demand for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from its 650,000 barrels per day refinery at Ibeju-Lekki, as well as refined aviation fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Nigeria, he said, is a growing economy; hence the need for private companies to complement government efforts, assuring that his company would continue to demonstrate its belief in the nation and its people by making investments targeted at transforming the nation’s economy.

He appreciated traditional rulers and the people of Itori for their support and partnership, which enabled the smooth and speedy take-off of the cement plant, adding that the encouragement from the people of Yewaland had fostered smooth operations, assuring continued adherence to its Corporate Social Responsibilities to the host communities.

Responding, Governor Abiodun described the day the Dangote Refinery groundbreaking was performed in Lagos as “the day of heartbreak for the sons and daughters of Ogun State as they watched helplessly on television,” saying it was an indication that the project had left Olokola.

He said: “I want to thank you for coming back to Ogun State and also for your belief and trust in your country, Nigeria. I want to thank you for all that you have done, the number of people you have employed, and the impact you continue to make not just in this state, but in Nigeria as a whole.

“The way you selflessly continue to promote this country all over the world, we can’t thank you enough. Your life and story continue to be an inspiring narrative for all young men. You have excelled in everywhere you touch; you have the Midas touch.

“These are indeed giant strides. For us in Ogun State, we welcome your return to the state. Today is a historic day, March 17, 2025, the same March when you did the groundbreaking in Lagos for the refinery, and you are now coming back in the month of March to Ogun State.

“Not only have you chosen to complete Itori, but you have also chosen to come back and develop the biggest port in Nigeria. For this, I thank you.”

Dangote

Abiodun emphasized that with the establishment of the Itori cement plant, proposed to produce six million metric tons of cement per annum, and the existing Ibeshe plant, producing 12 million metric tons, cement production in the state would total 18 million metric tons per annum, making it the largest cement producer in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

The governor lauded the company for not shirking its Corporate Social Responsibilities to the host communities, just as it is currently constructing the Inter-change-Papalato-Ilaro road, assuring that his administration is ready to work with the company for the good of the state and the nation as a whole.

Alhaji Dangote and his team later led the Governor to the New Cement Plant under construction at Itori.

The team was received by traditional rulers from host communities in Yewaland led by Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo who praised Alhaji ALIKO for His patriotism as displayed in his many investments which have led massive job creation and communities development
The Governor and Alhaji Dangote entourage also inspected the ongoing Papalanto concrete paved road being constructed under the tax Credit scheme of the federal government.