Nigeria a friend of our struggle: Acting President

Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter

NIGERIA has an indelible, yet less celebrated footprint in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and the shaping of the modern day Zimbabwe Defence Forces, which compels Harare to provide a shoulder as the West African nation mourns the death of former president Muhammadu Buhari, Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.

The Acting President said this when he signed the book of condolences at the Nigerian Embassy in Harare yesterday.

Former president Buhari, who led the country from 2015 to 2023, died in London, United Kingdom on July 13 and has been celebrated as a champion of Pan Africanism and for his role in the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

Acting President Chiwenga said Zimbabwe stood unflinching and in total solidarity with the people of Nigeria as the West African country is among the progressives that took a bold stand to support freedom and democracy during the colonial era.

He said even after independence, several senior officers in the ZDF passed through Nigerian military schools and in turn, succeeded in positively impacting the establishment and sustainability of the army, thanks in part to Nigeria’s input.

“Zimbabwe has a long history with the late president Buhari. You will recall in 1980, he was a Minister in president Obasanjo’s government when we attained our independence . . . he was a Minister of Petroleum,” said Acting President Chiwenga.

“Towards the end of our liberation war, it was the government of president Obasanjo in which president Buhari was serving, that gave us money, up to US$50 million, for the liberation of Zimbabwe”.

He said Nigeria was a member of the Frontline States even when it was in West Africa.

“Few people now remember that, but it played a major role in the liberation of our country. When we got our independence in 1980, they were the first to take our guerillas from both ZIPRA and ZANLA to train them in Nigeria,” said Acting President Chiwenga.

“The first group included the likes of Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Mike Nyambuya, Air Marshal (Rtd) Abu-Basuthu and many others. So they trained both our Air Force and our Army and that helped us in our formative years when we were building the Zimbabwe National Army and the Air Force of Zimbabwe”.

He said when Buhari became president in 1983, Zimbabwe and Nigeria had good relations.

“When he came back in 2015, he strengthened relations between Zimbabwe and Nigeria. We stand in solidarity with the people of Nigeria during this time of mourning.

“The legacy of president Buhari will continue to inspire future generations in both our countries,” said Acting President Chiwenga.

In 2022, Acting President Chiwenga said he was fortunate when he was sent by President Mnangagwa to represent Zimbabwe at the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was taking over from the late Buhari.

Acting President Chiwenga recalled Buhari’s farewell address when he said he had a fondness for cattle and was going north to tend to them.

The Acting President spoke of how Zimbabwe and Nigeria could collaborate, drawing on their shared experiences and aspirations for the continent’s growth.

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