FCT MINISTER RECEIVES CUBAN, MEXICAN ENVOYS
…EXPRESSES DESIRE FOR COLLABORATIONS IN THE AREAS OF HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, TOURISM
1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has expressed the desire of the FCT Administration to have collaborations with the governments of Cuba and Mexico in the areas of health, agriculture and tourism.
2. The FCT Minister made the expression when he met with the Cuban and Mexican Ambassadors to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero and Alfredo Miranda Ortiz respectively, in separate meetings in his office on Thursday, November 23, 2023.
3. Barr. Wike added that the FCT Administration was also open to partnerships with both countries in the areas of skill acquisition as part of efforts by government to create employment for the youths in the FCT.
4. He said the FCT has vast arable land, suitable for farming and would be willing to leverage the expertise of Cuba and Mexico to develop the FCT’s agricultural sector.
5. The Minister further assured that the FCT as the capital of Nigeria and host to all the embassies in the country will continue to make the city conducive for its visitors, particularly the diplomatic community.
6. Barrister Wike, while thanking the Cuban Envoy for the visit, said Nigeria and Cuba have a long history, adding that many Cubans could trace their roots to Africa and Nigeria in particular.
7. He also acknowledged the impact that Cuba has had in the field of medicine as well as their contribution to the fight against Malaria and pledged the readiness of the FCT Administration to partner with the government of Cuba to eliminate Malaria in Nigeria.
8. He said, “I have known mostly the impact of Cuba in terms of medicine and when it comes to the issue of elimination of Malaria, you are quite good in that. Therefore, we will continue to partner with you. And then the vaccine too, which is the latest one now. So, it will be our pleasure to really see how we can benefit from that and cooperate with you.”
9. The Minister who also lauded Mexico’s agricultural achievements, explained that the FCT would be willing to partner with Mexican companies to develop agriculture and tourism in the FCT.
10. He said “Mexico is a nation noted for agriculture. I know a lot of Mexicans and Nigerians who are running a lot of agricultural firms. We as FCT have always wanted to partner with companies that will contribute to the agricultural development of FCT and of course, also as a tourist centre, Abuja has all it takes to be a tourist city of the world.”
11. In her remark, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales Palmero, explained that the historical link between Nigeria and Cuba dated back to centuries ago, adding that Cubans consider all Africans as their brothers.
12. She also explained that the visit to the FCTA was to explore the many areas that Nigeria and Cuba can have collaborations and assured that the government of Cuba will continue to support the efforts of Nigeria to eradicate malaria.
13. On his part, the Mexican Ambassador to Nigeria, Alfredo Miranda Ortiz, said his visit was to strengthen bilateral cooperation between both countries which share a lot of values.
14. The envoy stressed that both countries with very huge populations, also have major roles to play to reduce poverty and contribute meaningfully to global economy.
15. He assured that necessary steps would be taken to enhance collaboration and increase the presence of Mexican businesses in the FCT.
16. “I am more than glad to see what we can do in order to enhance our bilateral cooperation,” he said.
17. Also present at both events were the Mandate Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and PPP Secretariat Mr Charles Elechi, General Counsel, Barrister Salman Dako, Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation Barrister Benedict Dauda.
ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
DIRECTOR OF PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE MINISTER)
23/11/2023
FCTA/ODP/PR/463
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