TO a number of us Nigerians, Plot 339, Diplomatic Drive, beside the United Nations Building, Abuja, is a familiar address. It is the Cuban Embassy in Nigeria. It was where we gathered on Friday, October 18, 2024, to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Cuba.
It is like no other embassy in Nigeria because there you have diplomats who do not just see all human beings as equals, but some have actually traced their origins to Nigeria. This is no fluke. Cuban children are actually taught that 90 per cent of them are of African origin.
I recall in 2016, when then Cuban Ambassador Carlos Trejo Sosa received the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi. He told him: “We are the same family. I am an African. Do not mind my colour. When you go into my gene, you will know that I am an African.”
His successor, Ambassador Clara Margarita Pulido Escandell, told me she was of Yoruba origin. Years ago, when I first met the current Cuban Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero, she was a staff in the embassy and had traced her origins back to Yorubaland in Western Nigeria. So her appointment in 2023 as ambassador to Nigeria was, to her, a mere return to her ancestral home, where she is also known by her Yoruba name, Omilade, meaning: our wealth is here or back.
At last Friday’s celebration of official Nigeria-Cuba ties, she told us: “Nigeria is a place where I personally feel the spiritual connection with its people and the different cultures that make it a special country.”
On a general note, she looked back to 1974 when the Nigeria-Cuba diplomatic ties were knotted and said: “Both countries demonstrated the continuity of the historical ties that began with the arrival of the first Africans, most of them from Nigeria, who were inhumanly brought as slaves to my country. We are united by genes making our relationship indestructible, sharing the same blood, an ancestral culture with the same rhythms, rites, and the sound of drums. We are united by our patriotic, rebellious, and resilient idiosyncrasy, by traditions and religious beliefs.”
The “continuity of the historical ties” between Africans and Cubans Ambassador Palmero referred to is the slave trade in which about 12.5 million Africans were taken across the Atlantic Ocean to slave in European plantations. Over 600,000 of them, mainly Yorubas from Western Nigeria, were taken to Cuba. In fact, one of the most daring and enduring slave revolts in history was that in Cuba led by a Yoruba woman, Carlota Lukumi (Olukumi), who, in 1843, led her fellow slaves in a rebellion against their oppressors, emphasizing the resilience and fighting spirit shared between the two cultures.
The celebration at the Cuban Embassy was not just a commemoration of diplomatic relations but also a profound acknowledgment of shared history and heritage. Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero’s remarks resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting the intertwined destinies of Nigeria and Cuba. The sense of belonging was palpable, as many present felt a spiritual connection to their ancestral roots.
The relationship between Nigeria and Cuba transcends mere diplomacy; it is a bond forged through history, culture, and shared struggles. The cultural exchange has been evident through various avenues, including education, sports, and health, fostering mutual respect and collaboration.
As the event unfolded, guests were treated to cultural displays that showcased the rich traditions of both nations. From music to dance, the festivities illustrated the deep appreciation and understanding that exist between the Nigerian and Cuban peoples.
Ambassador Palmero’s heartfelt acknowledgment of the historical ties, particularly the impact of the slave trade on their shared heritage, serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of resilience that defines both nations. The recognition of their ancestral connections reinforces the notion that history, while often painful, can also serve as a foundation for solidarity and cooperation.
Looking ahead, the next chapter of Nigeria-Cuba relations appears promising, with both nations eager to build on their historical ties and explore new avenues for collaboration. The celebrations at the Cuban Embassy were a testament to the strength of their relationship, one that continues to grow and evolve, rooted in a shared past and a collective vision for the future.