Russian, Belarusian envoys laud Nigeria on education, trade ties

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation, Nikolay Nikolayevich Udovichenko and his Belarus counterpart, Mr. Vyacheslav Beskosty, have commended Nigeria on the existing cordial relationship between them over the years.

Speaking at the weekend during 2016 Alumni Congress of Soyuznik Association Nigeria, the joint national congress of Nigerian graduates trained in the former Soviet Union and Commonwealth independent states, where specialists in Nigeria from all fields of human endeavour gathered to appreciate what they gained from receiving education in Russia, Udovichenko said that many Nigerians, who had received quality professional education from Russian government, performed excellently in learning and character.

While seeking continued co-operation between the two countries to sustain the cordial relationship, the Russian envoy added that the tie would also boost and foster bilateral trade between them.

He stated further that Russian companies are ready to partner Nigerian industries in the area of aluminium, iron-ore, nuclear energy, concession, among others.

On his part, the Belarus Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Beskosty, said that his country had enjoyed beneficial trade relationship with Nigeria in recent years and is interested in investing in human capital, hence the interest in educating Nigerians.

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode represented by the Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, said the effort of the Russian government is better appreciated now when the country needs the expertise of Nigerian graduates from Russian institutions who possess the capacity to help solve myriad of challenges facing the country.

He said deliberations at the congress would be of immense assistance to the government at all levels in achieving socio-economic diversification, promising that the state government would continue to partner with strategic stakeholders of the association to tap their professional expertise for the development of the state and country at large.