Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has extended warm congratulations to His Excellency Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the 65th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Russia. This was contained in a statement signed by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa anipr, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja.
The statement reads: “This milestone dates back to 1960, following Nigeria’s independence, when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was among the first nations to establish formal diplomatic relations with the newly sovereign state. That early act of solidarity laid the foundation for a relationship that has matured over six and a half decades through periods of global transformation.
“The Nigeria-Russia partnership has been marked by enduring cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to sovereignty and mutual benefit. From early collaborations in education – where Russia provided scholarships to generations of Nigerian students in engineering, medicine, and sciences – to joint efforts in infrastructure development and defence, our bilateral ties have delivered tangible benefits to our peoples.
“In recent years, this partnership has expanded to new areas, including energy, security, agriculture, solid minerals development, and counter-terrorism. Cultural and people-to-people exchanges have further strengthened mutual understanding and appreciation.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria values the consistent support of the Russian Federation in international forums and recognizes its role as a key global partner. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, there is immense potential to deepen collaboration in trade and investment, science and technology, and global peace and security.
“Therefore, as we celebrate this historic milestone, Nigeria looks with optimism toward a future of even greater cooperation. We remain committed to exploring new frontiers in our partnership and building upon the strong foundation established by our predecessors.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening this historic bond of friendship and partnership for the prosperity and well-being of both nations,” it also added.
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