President Muhammadu Buhari says that the revenues earned by Nigeria from her immense petroleum resources are not enough to confront the challenges facing the country.
He spoke on Thursday at State House, Abuja, while receiving the outgoing Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Trejo Sosa, who is ending his five-year tour of duty in the country.
President Buhari said he was pleased with relations between Cuba and Nigeria, particularly the hand of fellowship extended in the area of health care and transfer of knowledge, among others.
“We have deficit in infrastructure, in education, health care, and many other areas, but Cuba has always been helpful. What we earn from oil does not meet our needs, and we can use any assistance we get. Cuba has always been friendly and helpful,” the President said.
Buhari, a retired army general, said that whether in uniform or out of it, he had always been glad to collaborate with Cuba, and hoped relations between the two countries will wax stronger.
Ambassador Sosa said his five years and nine days in Nigeria were filled with “warmth, love and friendship,” and that he would never forget the country.
“I am not just being polite, I mean every word. We appreciate Nigeria a great deal,” he said.
