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

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Bruno Rodriguez Parilla

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.

Bruno Rodriguez Parilla

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.

Economy

Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor, Cites Constitutional Breach

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Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor

Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor, Cites Constitutional Breach

Nigerian rapper and activist Falz has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of its governor.

On Tuesday, Tinubu announced the emergency measure, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected state lawmakers for six months, citing political unrest. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) was appointed as the state’s administrator.

Reacting on Twitter, Falz argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the president to suspend an elected governor.

Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor

Falz Rejects Tinubu’s Suspension of Rivers Governor

“There is ABSOLUTELY NO LAW that allows a president to SUSPEND a governor. A Governor is elected into office and may only be removed by impeachment,” he wrote.

He further questioned whether the situation in Rivers justified such extreme action, asking, “Is Rivers State at war? Is there an actual breakdown of public order? Is there a threat to the existence of the Federation?”

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NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko Inducted as Honorary Member of International Military Sports Council

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Shehu Dikko

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko Inducted as Honorary Member of International Military Sports Council

In recognition of his contributions to sports development, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has been inducted as an Honorary Member of the International Military Sports Council (CISM). The induction ceremony, held at the NSC Secretariat on Tuesday, was presided over by Major General Maikano Abdulahi, President of the Organization of Military Sports in Africa and Vice-President of CISM.

Major General Abdulahi highlighted Mallam Dikko’s pivotal role in the success of the last Africa Military Games hosted in Abuja, noting that the event owed much of its success to the NSC’s support under Dikko’s leadership. “The last Africa Military Games was successful largely due to the support of the NSC under his leadership. We have also noted the ongoing sports reforms in Nigeria under his watch. We hope for further collaborations for the good of sports in Nigeria, Africa, and the world generally,” Maj. Gen. Abdulahi stated.

Shehu Dikko

Shehu Dikko

With this honorary membership, Mallam Dikko will have access to the officers’ mess at the CISM headquarters in Brussels, further solidifying the bond between Nigerian sports administration and the global military sports community. The recognition reflects the growing influence of Nigeria in the realm of international military sports and highlights the positive strides being made in sports reform under Dikko’s guidance.

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Gusau-Led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Commended As Major Project Kicks Off At MKO Abiola National Stadium

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Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

Gusau-Led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Commended As Major Project Kicks Off At MKO Abiola National Stadium

Gusau-Led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) commended as major project kicks off at MKO Abiola National Stadium. In a landmark move aimed at revitalizing Nigerian football, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday officially launched the construction of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Surrounded by notable figures from Nigeria’s political, business, and football sectors, the ceremony signaled a new era for the Ibrahim Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The ambitious project, funded by FIFA, is expected to provide top-notch infrastructure for national teams, reduce operational costs, and boost grassroots development.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Abbas expressed the National Assembly’s commitment to the project, commending the collaboration between the National Sports Commission, the NFF, and FIFA.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated.

Representing FIFA, Gelson Fernandes, Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the importance of infrastructure in FIFA’s vision under President Gianni Infantino.

He emphasized that the organization is committed to developing football facilities globally to enhance the sport’s growth.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau expressed his excitement about the project’s impact on Nigerian football, describing it as a significant milestone for his administration.

“For sustained success, we must create an environment that supports our players and officials to perform at their best. This project will also help cut costs and allow us to invest more in grassroots development,” Gusau noted.

The event saw a gathering of distinguished guests, including the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi; former Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu; former Youth and Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare; and Nigerian football legend Olusegun Odegbami.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)

Also present were members of the NFF Executive Committee, former NFF General Secretary Ambassador Fanny Amun, and football icons Mutiu Adepoju, Samson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba, Precious Dede, and Stella Mbachu.

The project’s impact is expected to extend beyond the national teams, benefiting football academies and leagues while positioning Nigeria as a competitive force on the global football stage.

As construction begins, optimism runs high that this initiative will foster a new chapter of success for Nigerian football, strengthening its foundation for future generations.

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