The reception held at the residence of the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria was a remarkable and informative event. The atmosphere was vibrant, with a crowd largely composed of diplomats, senior Nigerian officials and journalists. Among them, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made a notable appearance. In conversation with the charming host Kemi Asekun, I was pleasantly surprised to see how Ambassador Juan Sell’s personality brings people together, transcending political and ideological barriers to connect on a personal level.
The event was organized to celebrate Spain’s National Day, which fell three days after the official date of October 12. In his speech, Ambassador Sell emphasized the importance of reflection in the process of transforming a country. He spoke about Nigeria’s transition from military to democratic rule 25 years ago, stressing the need for inclusive reforms that leave no one behind. He also recalled Africa’s leadership role that Nigeria must assume with responsibility.
Addressing the issue of ECOWAS, the Spanish Ambassador stressed the importance of maintaining regional unity and putting the interests of the people first. He expressed the full support of his country and the European Union in this regard. Furthermore, he highlighted the European Union Strategy for Africa, which focuses on human rights, peace, growth, stability, poverty reduction and good governance.
Spain’s strong statement condemning the attacks on UNIFIL headquarters by Israel highlighted the challenges facing the world today. In a context of growing international tensions, Spain’s commitment to maintaining peace and respect for international law was recognized.
Another interesting note of this ceremony was the presence of the Catalan leaders, marking a positive turning point in the relations between Catalonia and the Spanish central government. This openness to dialogue and cooperation between the different regions of Spain illustrates the desire to build a common future based on diversity and mutual respect.
In conclusion, the celebration of Spain’s National Day was an opportunity to reaffirm the values of unity, peace and cooperation that are essential to building a better future for all. Spain’s commitment to promoting human rights, regional stability and international cooperation deserves to be recognized and supported.