The key points are temporarily unavailable. You can still read the full Story below.
Main Points
Angola and Nigeria will publish a documentary book next year chronicling 50 years of political and diplomatic relations between the two countries, Angola’s ambassador to Nigeria, José Bamóquina Zau, announced on Wednesday.
The announcement was made during a lecture titled “Pan‑Africanism in Neto’s Speeches and Prophecies that Catalysed the Liberation of Other Peoples,” held at the Angolan Embassy in Abuja. The event was part of the celebrations for 17 September, the day that marks the founding of the Nigerian nation.
Ambassador Zau said that a substantial documentary archive exists on President Agostinho Neto’s relationship with Nigeria. He called for the archive to be organised, systematised and made available for historical research and future generations.
He highlighted several key facts, including the first financial support of USD 100 million that Nigeria provided in 1975 to enable Angola’s first government to operate, and the first 20 scholarships awarded to young Angolans to study at Nigerian universities. Zau also noted Neto’s close relationship with Nigerian Presidents Murtala Ramat Muhammed and Olusegun Mathew Obasanjo, which he said strengthened Angola’s determination to end colonialism and racial segregation in Southern Africa.
The lecture was delivered by journalist, author and director of Novo Jornal Armindo Laureano. Laureano emphasised Neto’s historical role as a writer and politician, noting that “Literary Nigeria knew Agostinho Neto before political Nigeria recognised him as President of Angola.” He argued that Nigeria’s continental influence and President Murtala Muhammed’s determination in decolonisation processes were instrumental in altering the political balance within the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union. Laureano concluded that Lagos not only recognised the Government of Luanda but also mobilised its diplomacy to encourage other African states to do the same.
The event also featured an exhibition on Neto’s life and work, followed by a cultural session that included a recital of some of his most significant poems on Angola’s liberation and a trova performance by musician Alberto Milando
Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: allafrica.com
