Lawan wants Nigeria, Cuba friendship deepened through parliaments

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has called for a closer interaction between the Nigerian National Assembly and the Parliament of Cuba as a way to deepen the relationship between the two countries.
Lawan made this call on Tuesday while playing host to the Ambassador of Cuba in Nigeria, Carlos Trejo Sosa and his Deputy who were at the National Assembly on a courtesy visit.
Lawan told his guests that it will be helpful if Nigeria and Cuba could establish a Parliamentary Friendship Group to advance the age long relationship between the two countries.
“We will raise a team of Legislators here, senators particularly. We also expect Cuba to do the same. So that we have a kind of Nigeria – Cuba Friendship Group.
“We have already established this kind of group with Germany, Morocco and some other parliaments across the world. This will help deepening the relationship between Nigeria and Cuba.
“Most of the relationship, at the moment, between Nigeria and Cuba are done at the Executive level. I believe when the parliaments are involved, that makes it more sustainable,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said Nigeria and Cuba have come a long way having been friends since Nigeria became a sovereign nation.
“Since Nigeria became Independent, Cuba and Nigeria have been friends, allies in various international organizations including the G77 non-aligned countries.
“We have supported each other at the International level. Sometimes multilateral organizations. We will continue to pray that this relationship is deepened and made more useful to both countries,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said Nigeria and Cuba have a lot to share. He identified education and health as few of the areas of outstanding successes of Cuban.
The Cuban Ambassador, on behalf of the President of the Cuban Parliament, extended an invitation to the Nigerian Senate for a visit to Cuba; a request which Nigerian Senate President said will be looked into.