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•To build nuclear field
From Iheanacho Nwosu, Moscow
Russia will deliver some helicopters and military equipment to Nigeria to aid the fight against Boko Haram, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama disclosed in Moscow, yesterday.
Apart from proving assistance with military equipment, the minister also said Russia has agreed to work with Nigeria to develop nuclear facilities to help address the country’s electricity challenge.
Onyeama made the disclosure shortly after attending Africa Day in Moscow, Russia, where he was a key speaker.
At the event, President Vladimir Putin pledged to “continue to build up multi-dimensional and mutually beneficial relations” with African countries.
Putin also said his country will continue to participate in “various assistance programmes and projects for Africa, implemented under the auspices of the UN, G20 and BRICS”.
The Russian president was represented at the event by his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergio Levrov.
Hailing Russia for playing a laudable role in the global fight against terrorism, Onyeama was happy that the country has agreed to assist Nigeria in the war against insurgency and identified the promise to deliver helicopter , military facilities and nuclear as “key take-aways” of his trip to the country.
He said the “immediate derivable, they have agreed to deliver some military equipment, some helicopters.
“Another area and probably, in the immediate is in nuclear field; peaceful use of nuclear for power, for energy. They are also in the process of helping us with research and development centre.
“Russia is ready to engage more with Nigeria and engage more with Africa, in the areas of priority to us, which is security and the economy.
“We are trying to diversify our economy and diversification is not just in strengthening various sectors, but, also, in engaging with every partner and Russia has unique value they can add to our economic relations in the area of oil and gas and power and agriculture and also science and technology.
“These are areas they are particularly strong in. They will help our industrialisation drive.”
Onyeama added: “They will help Africa, too, in peace-keeping, through playing influential role in the United Nations. As one of the key five permanent members of the Security Council, they will have influence in the resources the UN will make available for peace-keeping in Africa.
“Most of the peace-keeping duties undertaken by the UN are in Africa and we will certainly need the support of Russia as we know that there is a call by the other key four members to reduce the amount of money available for peacekeeping in Africa.
“Of course, terrorism is an area we also want to cooperate with Russia; it is a global challenge. They also face terrorism challenges.
“We look forward to stepping up our cooperation with Russia, in the area of our fight against terrorism. We look for Russia’s support in the reform of the UN and also, to support Africa’s quest as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.”
