Cuba Ambassador Celebrates Yoruba Heritage

The Ambassador of Cuba to Nigeria, Mariam Palmero, has described the centenary celebration of the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos as a significant occasion for reaffirming the deep historical, cultural and fraternal ties between Nigeria and Cuba.

Palmero, who was the special guest of honour at the club’s Centenary Jazz Festival, said the milestone went beyond commemorating 100 years of the historic institution, as it also provided an opportunity to celebrate the enduring influence of African heritage, particularly Yoruba culture, across the Atlantic.

Speaking at the colourful festival held on Monday as part of activities marking the club’s 100th anniversary, the Cuban envoy said Nigeria and Cuba shared a unique historical relationship shaped by common traditions, cultural heritage and the experiences of African peoples.

She noted that Yoruba culture had made a profound contribution to Cuba’s cultural identity, with its influence still evident in religious practices, music, percussion and other aspects of Cuban social life.

Palmero said traditions rooted in the Yoruba worldview had survived generations and continued to shape contemporary Cuban identity, citing practices such as Regla de Ocha as examples of the enduring African influence in the Caribbean nation.

She stressed that cultural heritage should not be viewed merely as a memory of the past, but as a living force capable of strengthening solidarity, identity and mutual understanding among peoples.

The ambassador also highlighted the historical significance of the Cuban Revolution and the role of its late leader, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, in recognising the importance of Africa’s history and cultural heritage to Cuba and the wider Caribbean.

According to her, the preservation of African heritage in Cuba demonstrated the depth of the historical relationship between Africa and the Caribbean, with the Yoruba legacy becoming an important component of Cuba’s national and cultural identity.

Palmero also drew attention to the Yoruba ethical philosophy of “Omoluabi,” describing it as a principle centred on good character, integrity, responsibility and social justice.

She said the values associated with Omoluabi remained relevant in contemporary society and could serve as a moral foundation for building communities based on dignity, mutual respect and responsible leadership.

The Cuban envoy expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of the Yoruba Tennis Club for honouring her and for using the centenary celebration to spotlight the cultural connections between Nigeria and Cuba.

She described the club as an institution that had preserved dignity, culture and continuity over the past century, adding that the celebration was also a tribute to the ability of traditional and contemporary music to bring people together across geographical boundaries.

Palmero said the presentation and celebration of Cuban music at the festival further demonstrated the continuing cultural links between Nigeria and Cuba, noting that music remained a powerful tool for friendship, cultural diplomacy and international solidarity.

She congratulated members of the club on reaching the historic milestone and expressed hope that the bonds of brotherhood, cultural preservation and friendship would continue to guide the institution as it enters its second century.

“Happy centenary to the brothers and sisters of the Yoruba Tennis Club,” she said.

Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawumi Gasper, described the centenary as a landmark in the history of the institution, which was established in 1926.

Gasper said the 100-year milestone represented a century of friendship, community leadership, brotherhood and commitment to preserving Yoruba cultural heritage.

He explained that the Centenary Jazz Festival was part of a series of programmes organised to commemorate the club’s historic journey, adding that jazz was deliberately selected because of its strong African, Caribbean and global cultural connections.

The chairman said the presence of the Cuban ambassador was particularly significant because of Cuba’s rich Afro-Cuban musical heritage, while the participation of representatives of the Consulate-General of Brazil in Lagos further expanded the cultural dimension of the celebration.

He noted that Brazil’s distinctive musical traditions, including the emergence of Bossa Nova from the fusion of Brazilian rhythms and jazz influences, demonstrated how music could evolve through cultural exchanges.

Gasper said the participation of diplomatic representatives from Cuba and Brazil transformed the festival beyond a musical gathering into an occasion for cultural diplomacy, international friendship and people-to-people engagement.

He appreciated the sponsors and supporters of the festival, particularly the Nigeria Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), for their contributions to the success of the event.

The chairman also welcomed CREDICORP’s Director of Operations, Mrs Nike Kolawole, and other senior executives of the organisation, describing the Yoruba Tennis Club as a “home of culture and tradition” and the first indigenous social club in Nigeria.

He commended the club’s vice patrons, trustees, past chairmen, elders, members and organising committees for their teamwork and commitment to the successful execution of the centenary programmes.

President of the club’s Jazz Summit Group, Otunba Olusegun Akinsanya, traced the roots of jazz music at the Yoruba Tennis Club to the colonial and immediate post-independence eras.

Akinsanya recalled that some members and distinguished guests introduced European and Afro-American musical influences into the club’s social life, with genres such as the Twist and Waltz becoming popular features of festive gatherings.

He also recalled the contributions and social lives of prominent members, including the late Pa Ben Oluwole and Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony, who were among those who enjoyed the musical atmosphere at the club.

According to him, the club’s appreciation of jazz later entered a new phase during the tenure of the late Bro. Olusegun Ajayi, who, alongside like-minded members, worked towards establishing a dedicated jazz group within the institution.

The Centenary Jazz Festival therefore served as both a celebration of the Yoruba Tennis Club’s century-long journey and a reflection of music’s ability to preserve history, promote cultural identity and strengthen international friendship.

As the club enters its second century, the celebration has reaffirmed its commitment to brotherhood, cultural continuity and the preservation of the values that have sustained the institution for 100 years.