Amb. Okoyen begins accreditation process; Presents Copies D’ Usage to Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister

Nigeria’s new Ambassador to Cuba with concurrent accreditation to Bahamas, Honduras and Nicaragua, Ambassador Benaoyagha Okoyen, has, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, presented Copies D’ Usage (credentials) to the Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister, Her Excellency, Mrs. Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo in a ceremony in Havana.

The event marked the formal commencement of the accreditation process according to prevailing protocols in Cuba.

Prior to the meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister, the Director of Ceremonials, Privileges and Immunities, gave a detailed brief of the events that would take place during the formal Presentation of Letters to the President of Cuba, at a later date.

After the Copies D’ Usage presentation ceremony, the Deputy Foreign Minister, in her remarks, expressed delight at the arrival of Ambassador Benaoyagha Okoyen in Cuba and expressed hope that it would mark a rejuvenation of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Cuba.

She averred that Cuba’s relations with Nigeria was crucial, given the deep cultural and fraternal ties that bind the two countries. She was effusive in thanking Nigeria for her consistent support for Cuba, especially with respect to efforts at eliminating the strangulating US economic blockade of Cuba. She maintained that Nigeria’s unequivocal support had always been part of what Cuba could count on at the International fora, adding that Cuba’s commitment to Nigeria remained unwavering even in the mist of changing global dynamics.

The Deputy Foreign Minister assured Ambassador Okoyen that the Cuban government was willing to lend all the

support he needed to take relations between the countries to new heights, building on the foundation of previous Ambassadors. She also drew a parallel between her career path and Okoyen’s, herself having served in Geneva and subsequently in New York, just as Ambassador Okoyen did. She expressed optimism that good and productive relations will exist between the Mission and the Cuban Foreign Ministry during Ambassador Okoyen’s tenure.

Ambassador Okoyen, in his response, conveyed the fraternal greetings of Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama to his Cuban counterpart.

Ambassador Okoyen also expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Foreign Minister for the excellent reception accorded to him and members of his family on arrival in Havana. He recalled the historical, cultural and blood ties that underpins Nigeria’s relations with Cuba, adding that these were major tripods that sustain and deepen engagements between the two countries, both at bilateral and multilateral levels. Amb Okoyen thanked Cuba for her support of Nigeria and indeed Africa in the areas of liberation, health care and humanitarian assistance.

He indicated his desire and commitment towards exploring new and innovative ways of leveraging the strengths of both countries, stressing that newer and untapped areas of economic and commercial opportunities available for both countries would also be given priority in the course of his tour of duty in Cuba.

Ambassador Okoyen is the immediate past Consul General of Nigeria in New York, United States of America.