Envoy from the republic of Cuba yesterday paid a condolence visit to the Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo the state capital in respect to the demise of the Ooni of Ile- Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
The Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Trejo Soza who led the envoy to Osogbo said he was in Osun to pay tribute to the late Ooni of Ife, whom he described as the father of the world.
He however prayed for the repose of his soul, saying: “We join in the pains of the Yoruba worldwide, Osun State, the children and the family of the late father of the world for the loss of such a dear father.
“Besides paying tribute to the late Ooni, I have come to pay homage to my ancestors. There is an enormous contribution by Africa, Nigeria, most especially the Yoruba, which has helped Cuba to develop.
“We will continue to keep tradition, religion and the relationship we have with Africa. Studies have shown that Cubans have a DNA that is 100 per cent African and 60 per cent Yoruba. We have everything in common with the Yoruba.”
Soza in his world described Aregbesola has a man who was highly respected in Cuba as its governor.
Aregbesola while speaking, he described the Republic of Cuba as a nation that has demonstrated high capacity for international human compassion based on humanitarian commitment to the development of mankind he therefore lauded the effort of the Cuban government for its response to the fight against the Ebola virus in West Africa.
The Governor, however said the government was delighted when religious associations in Cuba commiserate with the state on the demise of the monarch, which include the Council of Elder Priests of Ifa in Cuba, the Council of Elder Priests Oba-Oriaye of Cuba and Council of Elder Iyalochas Priestesses in Cuba.
Others, were the Council of Elder Babalochas Priests of Cuba, Council of Elder Arará Priests of Cuba and Council of Priests Chiefs of Cabildos in Cuba.
The governor said he shared in the ideologies of Cuba, adding that the country was the focus of his activism. Speaking on his relationship and love for Cuba, adding that his eldest child and son was sent to a Cuban university after his secondary education in Nigeria.
He said: “This is an opportunity to let the world know how my son went to Cuba to study. He went to Cuba on scholarship from The Nigerian-Cuba Friendship, Business and Cultural Association in 1999. He was there for six years.
“Interestingly, the boy graduated from the University of Matanzas in 2005 and again, it was interesting that the person who accompanied me to his graduation was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. It is nice to recount these so that Nigerians will know how long and how far we have been with the Cuban people.”
The Cuban ambassador came with the Deputy Head of Cuban Commission to Nigeria, Mrs. Miriam Morales Palmero and the wife of the ambassador, Mrs. Nelba Peirg Morales.
