Christophe Bazivamo, the Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, has said he was committed to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria.
Ambassador Bazivamo said this at the Rwanda’s 30th National Heroes Day marked in Abuja on Saturday.
The envoy said that Rwanda and Nigeria have weathered storms of adversity, adding that both can build a brighter future for their people by shared experiences and expertise.
“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, defence 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,” the high commissioner stated.
On the theme ‘Our Heroism, Our Dignity’, Bazivamo said the history of Rwanda was built on the values of resilience, unity, and dignity.
“On this day, we reflect on the sacrifices of those who came before us, those who fought for our freedom, unity, and progress, those who have embodied the highest values of patriotism for our country and Rwandans,” he noted.
The High Commissioner reflected that Rwanda, since the 1994 genocide, has embarked on a transformational journey adding that “We have emerged from the ashes of genocide to become a nation of peace, unity, and progress.
“This transformation is a tribute to the heroes who have paved the wayand a testament to the power of choices: Unity, Accountability, and Thinking Big,” he stated.
He said that Rwanda is committed to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with other countries.
He noted, “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.”
National Heroes Day is marked 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 is usually 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, otherwise known as the genocide against the Tutsi, occurred between 7 April and 15 July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War.
During this period of around 100 days, members of the Tutsi minority ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa, were killed by armed Hutu militias.
