Africa-Press – Angola. The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, this Saturday urged Angolans to build, in harmony and with commitment, the Nation that would be a source of pride for its founder, António Agostinho Neto.
In the appeal expressed in the book of honors in memory of António Agostinho Neto, who, this Saturday, marked the centenary of the birth of the first President of Angola, the Head of State considered it necessary to exalt the qualities of the deceased as an intransigent fighter for Independence, freedom and well-being. -being of the people.
According to João Lourenço, remembering and celebrating the “historical figure” of the Founder of the Nation is to point out, for the new generations, the “greatest example” to follow in the universal fight against all forms of oppression and exploitation.
“Agostinho Neto knew how to embody the deepest desires and the most legitimate aspirations of the Angolan people for freedom and social justice”, wrote the President of the Republic, in the Book of Honor exposed during the ceremony alluding to the Centenary of the National Hero, at the António Agostinho Neto Memorial. .
The Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, the First Lady of the Republic, Ana Dias Lourenço, the widow of President Neto, Maria Eugénia Neto, deputies to the National Assembly, members of the Executive, the diplomatic corps, representatives of civil society and other guests.
Before writing the three-page message in the Book of Honor and placing the wreath on Agostinho Neto’s sarcophagus, President João Lourenço went to the Armed Forces Museum, where he witnessed the hoisting of the National Flag.
He praised the qualities of Agostinho Neto as an “uncompromising fighter” for independence, freedom and well-being of all Angolans and highlighted the prophetic and mobilizing vision of his poetic work, humanist spirit, solidary and internationalist vocation.
The President of the Republic spoke of the role of the Founder of the Nation as “the heir to the traditions of resistance of the ancestors and as a clairvoyant guide”. He stated that Agostinho Neto taught the Angolans to trust in their forces, in the fairness of the fight and to be sure of the final victory, but acknowledged, however, “the eventual momentary setbacks” of the Angolan liberation process.
“He also taught us that, in order to be effective, our struggle had to extend in solidarity beyond our borders, which led to the end of apartheid and the liberation of the whole of Southern Africa”, said João Lourenço, in the message , where he emphasizes the commitment to continue to do justice to the political-humanist ideas of Agostinho Neto.
In order to continue to do justice to the memory of the Immortal Guide to the Angolan Revolution, President João Lourenço guaranteed all Angolans, without exception, the conditions for a better life in the fields of Health, Education, Housing, Work, Culture and Leisure.
Recognition of politicians
After the laying of the wreath at the António Agostinho Neto Memorial, by the President of the Republic, some national and foreign personalities expressed to journalists their recognition of the political, mass mobilizing, humanist and cultural dimension of the National Hero.
The Vice-President of the Republic considered Agostinho Neto “a staunch defender” of the material and spiritual rights of the dignity and freedom of the Angolan people, the African continent and the world.
“Neto was a great statesman, nationalist who left clear in our hearts and memories, the great poems and literary works, especially Sagrada Esperança”, acknowledged Esperança da Costa, for whom the Founder of the Angolan Nation was a “great defender” of the national causes, above all, the natural resources of the country and the world, which resulted in the institutionalization of the National Environment Day.
The widow of the National Hero, Maria Eugénia Neto considered “beautiful, due and deserved” the tribute paid yesterday to Agostinho Neto. She defended more dissemination of the work and legacy of the National Hero, especially among the youth, which is the guarantor of the continuity of the Homeland.
Forty-three years after the death of the Founder of the Nation, Maria Eugénia Neto defended that, more and more, better should be done to honor the memory, internationalizing the works and having him more present so that the Nation continues the march towards growth sustainable.
Fraternity Symbol
The Russian ambassador to Angola considered that the National Hero was a “symbol” of cooperation, friendship and fraternity between the two peoples and Governments. Vladimir Tararov announced, by the way, that the Monument was erected in the center of Moscow in recognition of the political, diplomatic and cultural dimension of Agostinho Neto, allowing new generations to remember the work, journey and commitment of the greatest poet in the fight against colonialism. .
The Monument, according to the Russian diplomat, also serves to instill patriotic values in the youth, stressing that Russia is concerned about the growth of neo-colonialism in the world and said he expects alliances from Angola in the fight for the freedom of peoples and for a more peaceful world order. fair.
In defending the reform of the United Nations (UN), he requested that the world organization start to look at all States in the same way, allowing developed and underdeveloped or developing countries to express their positions without fear.
For the Cuban ambassador to Angola, all tributes to the memory of Agostinho Neto are always “insufficient”, to express the dimension of the Founder of the Angolan Nation.
Esther Armenteros said that the formula to honor the memory of Agostinho Neto involves the daily fulfillment of duties, respect for ideals and global dissemination of his achievements in the most different domains.
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