Honoring Fidel Castro: A Revolutionary Icon Lives On

Across the world, countries and groups marked the 100th birthday of Fidel Castro Ruz, the famous Cuban revolutionary, on Thursday, 13 August. That was yesterday. But Fidel is not just a figure of the past. He passed away on 25 November 2016, but his ideas of a better world and humanity are still relevant today. Because of this, Fidel will also be remembered tomorrow. In Nigeria, we gathered at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Africa’s largest labor center, to honor him.

Workers, professionals, political activists, human rights defenders, and ambassadors from different countries filled the NLC conference hall. People listened as speakers shared important stories about Fidel Castro. Personally, I focused on Fidel as a humanist. Despite the US Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) many attempts on his life, over six hundred assassination plots, Fidel survived. I remembered when he arrived in Havana at the start of the Cuban Revolution, a dove landed on his shoulder, symbolizing his special role. I also recalled the all-night funeral held for him by Nigerians at the National Stadium, Lagos. They saw him as an African ancestor.

Salisu Nuhu Mohammed, the National Chairperson of the Nigeria Solidarity Movement with Cuba, spoke about how Fidel was one of the most remarkable figures of the Twentieth Century. He said Fidel dedicated his life to a better world and led the first successful revolution in the Western hemisphere. Mohammed described Cuba as a small country that resisted US challenges and pressures that would have broken many others. He has been part of the Cuban Solidarity Movement for more than forty years. He pointed out that Cuba currently faces a cruel blockade from the US, meant to "deny Cubans oxygen." But he believes the US will not succeed, stating, "They may wake up very early, but the Cuban Revolution does not sleep." He added that "Cuba has shown Africa solidarity, it is now time for Africa to show Cuba solidarity."

Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, said the Congress takes inspiration from great thinkers like Fidel Castro and remains committed to their causes. Represented by Comrade Eche Asuzu, head of Industrial Relations and Organizing, Ajaero urged the US and its allies to stop their oppression of the Cuban people. He emphasized that Cubans have the right to shape their future.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), the second-largest labor center in Africa after the NLC, described the event as solemn. They said Cubans are suffering due to US actions, including being denied fuel and electricity. Since the blockade tightened on 29 January, thousands of Cuban children have died. Comrade Martins Egbanubi, representing TUC, stated that the Fidel Centenary shows the need for unity, as everyone is vulnerable to American attacks. He said, "In the trade union movement, it is time for us to rethink and re-strategize. Don’t say it is not happening to you today. The time to solidarize with Cuba is now."

Egbanubi noted Cuba's significant advancements, especially in Medicine. He highlighted Cuba’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, producing vaccines and sharing them at no cost with other countries. The TUC called on the United Nations to move beyond resolutions and hold the US accountable for its actions against Cuba. They declared, "It is time for the world to rise to the defense of humanity."

Senator Shehu Sani took the opportunity to honor one of Nigeria's most passionate supporters of Fidel, Comrade Abiodun 'Aremson' Aremu, who passed away on 10 October 2025. The Senator warned, "If Cuba falls, we all fall." He stated that Cuba represents our collective morality and humanity. He criticized the US charges against former Cuban President Raul Castro as baseless and aimed at persecuting him and the Cuban people. He told African leaders that Cuba has been a true friend to Africa. He promised that if he wins the 2027 Kaduna Central Senatorial election, he will introduce a bill addressing the Cuban situation.

Labour internationalist Baba Aye spoke on how Fidel's ideas inspired Nigerian students and popular songs like "Freedom comes by struggle." He mentioned that Fidel helped form solidarity movements like the Tricontinental. He said, "Cuba has been there for the working class, now, we have to be there for Cuba."

Veteran human rights activist Aminu Habibu Jahun traveled from Jigawa State to attend. He expressed his gratitude for being introduced to Fidel's ideas as a student. He argued that the current US aggression against Cuba is because it could not eliminate Fidel. The Nigeria-Cuba Graduates Association, led by Dr Audu Onuche, released a statement on Fidel's significant contributions to medicine, particularly in training doctors from around the world.

Cuban Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero told the audience that the year-long celebration "serves to reaffirm our respect for and unwavering commitment to the ideals and example of a man who championed the banners of independence and sovereignty, as well as respect and dignity for humanity." The Ambassador added that "In a world where selfishness, war, and injustice are resurgent, Fidel’s legacy calls upon us to defend the sovereignty of peoples against any form of domination; practice internationalist solidarity; work towards and trust in unity as an invincible force; and promote values of justice and ethics."

In Cuba, the First International Colloquium on the Centenary took place under the theme "Fidel: Legacy and Future." It brought together over 1,500 participants, including more than 900 international delegates from sixty-three countries. This week, around the world, the voice of humanity echoed through one man, Fidel Castro, the revolutionary they could not kill.