Rwanda ‘ll Strengthen Bilateral Relations With Nigeria- Envoy

By Bukar BOLORI

The Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, has expressed his country’s continued commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria.

Bazivamo said this at the weekend during the celebration of Rwanda’s 30th National Heroes Day in Abuja.

The envoy said Rwanda and Nigeria have weathered several storms of adversity, adding that both can build a brighter future for its people by shared experiences and expertise.

He said: “It is also fitting to restate our appreciation for the strong bonds of friendship and excellent bilateral cooperation marked by fruitful partnerships in various areas, including parliamentary diplomacy, defense and security, aviation, governance, sectoral peer-to-peer exchange, and trade and investment.

“As the new High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria, I am committed to further strengthening this vital bilateral relationship.

“By working together and sharing our experiences and expertise, together we can build a brighter future for our people.”

Bazivamo who spoke on the theme ‘Our Heroism, Our Dignity’, said the history of Rwanda was built on the values of resilience, unity, and dignity.

He noted that: “On this day, we reflect on the sacrifices of those who came before us, those who fought for our freedom, unity, and progress, those have embodied the highest values of patriotism for our country and Rwandans.”

The High Commissioner also said Rwanda, since the 1994 genocide, has embarked on a transformational journey, insisting that: “We have emerged from the ashes of genocide to become a nation of peace, unity, and progress.

He said: “This transformation is a tribute to the heroes who have paved the way and a testament to the power of choices: Unity, Accountability, and Thinking Big.”

The High Commissioner explained that Rwanda is committed to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with other countries.

He said: “There are investment opportunities in Rwanda that can be tapped into in the sectors of manufacturing, ICT, real estate, agriculture and agribusiness, tourism, and hospitality, amongst others.”

Rwanda’s National Heroes Day is held every year on February 1, honouring the exceptional Rwandans who demonstrated the highest values of patriotism and sacrifice and made significant contributions to nation-building, liberation, and unity.

It serves as an opportunity to reflect on their legacy, inspire future generations, and reaffirm Rwanda’s commitment to building a better future for all.

The Rwandan genocide, also known as the Genocide Against the Tutsi, occurred between 7 April and 4 July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War.

A period where members of the Tutsi minority ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa, were killed by armed Hutu militias.