By Fortune Abang
Amb. Josè Zau, Ambassador of Angola to Nigeria, has acknowledged the selfless contributions of Nigerians to the pursuit and enthronement of political freedom and lasting peace in the Central African country.
Zau, Extraordinary/Plenipotentiary of Angola to Nigeria, Benin, Niger, and ECOWAS rendered the acknowledgement during Angola’s 50th independence anniversary celebration in Abuja, resulting in the conferment of excellence award to deserving Nigerian military generals.
The Nigerian generals, now retired, were those who actively participated in the United Nations Observation Missions for the peace process and monitoring of the unification of the Angolan Armed Forces.
They include Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Maj.-Gen. Chris Garuba, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, and Brig.-Gen. Buba Saleh.
Zau said, “The awards are symbolic recognition and gratitude for their selfless contributions to the process of political emancipation and the achievement of lasting peace in Angola.
“The conferment of the awards today is an expression of profound gratitude from Angolan people to Nigerians, for the sacrifice made in voluntarily supporting the cause of freedom and independence in Angola.
“After our independence, on November 11, 1975, the Republic of Angola plunged into an unprecedented civil and proxy war that lasted for almost 27 years.
“The result was dramatic; thousands of citizens killed and maimed; the country was completely surrounded by 15 million landmines and around 5 million internally displaced citizens overcrowding the coastal cities.
“More than 100 thousand children separated from their families: around 70 per cent of the population deprived of access to health care.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to deepening ties with Angola.
Tuggar, represented by Amb. Nonyelum Afoekelu, Deputy Director/Head Southern African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the 49 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Angola had witnessed tremendous achievements.
“There is no doubt that there is room for more collaboration in these new areas identified by both countries during the Joint Commission.
“I wish to reiterate Nigeria’s unrelenting commitment to deepening the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria-Angola for the mutual benefit of both countries.”
Speaking at the event also, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed gratitude to the military generals’ contributions to advancing Nigeria-Angola diplomatic ties, particularly when some narratives “we know are not really correct about who we are as Nigerians.”
According to him, in the last few days, the United States of America and its president is trying to characterise Nigeria as a country that does not tolerate religious people.
“The truth is that, yes, we have security challenges in our country. Yes, we have Christians killed, yes, we also have Muslims killed. We have security challenges.
“All of us acknowledge that, but to characterise Nigeria as a country that does not tolerate religious people, I think it is wrong.
“We are trying to ensure this is resolved through diplomatic channels, we have a duty to explain who we are as a country, also to call on all Nigerians to come together.
“To think together. This is not a time for politics, not a time to say what you believe or what you don’t. This is a time to think and behave Nigerian,” he said.
He advised that Nigerians should only put forward things that promote Nigeria’s political existence, not the things that divide the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
