RUSSIA'S ambassador to Nigeria Nikolay Udovichenko has revealed that the country intends to build a multifunctional nuclear scientific research centre in the nation as part of a bilateral trade pact signed between both nations.
Struggling to meet its electricity requirements, Nigeria has considered alternative power sources including energy and is looking for international partners to work with on this. According to Mr Udovichenko, the Nigerian and Russian governments' plan to sign an agreement for the establishment of the centre in Nigeria.
Speaking in Lagos at this year’s congress of the Soyuznik Alumni Association of Nigeria, Mr Udovichenko said that the Nigerian and Russian governments had been negotiating for the centre’s establishment for a while now. He added that his government was working at reactivating its trade representation in Nigeria, to further promote economic relations between the two countries.
Mr Udovichenko said:“Bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Russia is blessed with huge potential in every avenue. Nuclear energy development is another area with good prospects for our two countries’ cooperation and this June, we expect to sign a bilateral agreement for the establishment of a multifunctional scientific centre in Nigeria."
In addition, Mr Udovichenko, who said that thousands of Nigerians had over the years benefited from quality education in Russia, also announced his government’s plan to sustain the scholarship programme for more Nigerians. He added that it was imperative for such Nigerians to use their knowledge for the development of their country, as well as strengthening ties with the Russians.
Otunba Henry Ajomale, the president of Soyuznik and chairman of the ceremony, said that the association was made up of academicians, medical doctors, engineers, diplomats, political administrators and heads of professional organisations trained by the Russian government. He expressed the gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries to the countries that formed the former Soviet Union for bequeathing a lasting legacy, with which they could contribute to the development of Nigeria.
“We should not forget to celebrate our common heritage as beneficiaries of a unique programme by the former Soviet government that gave us the opportunity to become what we are today," Otunba Ajomale he said. The Soyunik Alumni Association of Nigeria, is the association of Nigerian graduates trained by the former Soviet Union and Commonwealth of Independent States.
Comments
Post a Comment