Buhari highlights priorities for Nigeria-Russia relationship

President Muhammadu Buhari has canvassed that Russia relationship with Nigeria and other African countries should go beyond trade and business.

He said that Nigeria and other African countries’ re-energised partnership with Russia must seek to also address challenges such as counter-terrorism, poverty eradication, human and drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, climate change and migration.

This was contained in President Buhari’s statement at the first Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russian Federation on Thursday.

Part of the statement read, “Today, we live in a world where collective peace and prosperity can only be achieved through collaboration and mutual respect. This reality was aptly captured by the Late Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior when he said and I quote:

“’We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’

“Nigeria’s relations with Russia just like the rest of Africa, began during the Soviet era when diplomatic relations were first established in 1960. That relationship covered areas such as education, healthcare, solid minerals development and military assistance especially during Nigeria’s civil war.

“More recently, our partnership has extended to the oil and gas sector as well as military and technical assistance in support of our fight against Boko Haram insurgency. At this point, I would once again like to thank His Excellency, President Putin for his support especially in the area of security.

“It is my hope that through this forum, Russia and Africa will revitalize their time-tested relationship by exploring new opportunities for the collective benefit of our peoples.

“As we live in an increasingly changing world driven by trade, technology and innovation, the time has come to inject new energy and pragmatism in Africa-Russia relations for the mutual benefit of both Africa and Russia.

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“I want to emphasise that this mutually beneficial relationship must go beyond trade and business. Our re-energised partnership must also address challenges such as counter-terrorism, poverty eradication, human and drug trafficking, illicit financial flows, climate change and migration to mention some of the many contemporary challenges facing our peoples.

“Our continent is rich in human and natural but is lagging behind in capital and technology. This is why we see increased conflict, migration and instability that is also impacting many nations outside Africa.”

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