By Iheanacho Nwosu (just back from Moscow)

Nigeria may be faced with some challenges but her rating in Russia is high. This was clearly displayed last week as authorities of the former communist country opened their doors wide to officials of Nigeria, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama. 

For three days, the flag of Nigeria was the cynosure on major roads and key government offices in Moscow. That was between Monday and Wednesday. Onyeama was in Russia on official visit as well as a key speaker in the Africa Day. It was the first time since 2009 that Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs would make such visit. 

For both officials of Nigerian embassy and Nigerian community in Russia, the visit of the minister was one too many. “Since 2009, this is the first time we would have a minister, visiting Moscow and making our country stand tall. Everybody is so happy with the reception given to us. It is uncommon,  “Ambassador Gafai Ibrahim Usman, Charge de Affair of Nigerian Embassy in Russia told Daily Sun. Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Russia chapter, put it this way: “What we have seen should make every Nigerian proud. We are happy with the frankness of our minister. This type of engagement must continue.”

Between Monday and Wednesday, Onyeama and his team had no hour to spare. The schedule was tight. From a high level meeting with Russian Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Alexander Tkachev, and leadership of Russian elite companies to a prolonged meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, and other top government officials.    

Seeking investment in agriculture

The Nigerian delegation arrived Russia on Monday, May 29, but set the ball rolling immediately with a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture. The enthusiasm of Tkachev and officials of the ministry  for the meeting was  there for everybody to see. Representatives of Russian aluminium giant, United Company RUSAL PLC., were also at the meeting, so also were other top officials of Russia. 

The high profile, albeit was billed to focus on how Russian agro companies can invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, the parley drifted into other areas. They were areas that Russia had interest in. And one of them was the legal dispute, involving Rusal currently at the Supreme Court. 

Onyeama was definitive on the matter. He told the Russian officials that the case is at the apex court and can only be decided by the court. He told the parley that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari believed in rule of law and, therefore, would not want to interfere in the case. He, however, assured the officials that government would take up the matter from where the Supreme Court stopped. 

The minister told newsmen after the meeting: “We looked at the various areas of cooperation, agricultural cooperation and indicated that Russia is very key to invest in the agricultural sector in Nigeria.”

Focusing on what the Russian agriculture minister said, Onyeama disclosed: “He also raised two other issues of great importance to Russia at the moment . One of them is the issue of Aluminum Smelting Company . There is an ongoing case about that. It has gone up to the Supreme Court. We discussed the situation. There is a company that is competing with the Russian company. It is a very complicated situation. I informed them of the situation from the point of view of the Government of Nigeria. We are bound by the decision of the Supreme Court. But we will try and find a solution.”

Still on the issues raised at the meeting , he explained:  “In the area of gas, which Russia has the biggest company, the representative also talked about the joint venture that they have set up in Nigeria. He said that not much had been happening since it was set up, almost about 10 years ago. I informed them that a Petroleum Bill had just been passed and that I would take their message back. I told them that we welcome investment in our gas and petroleum sector. We clarified that situation. They pointed out that they saw Nigeria as one of the big economies in Africa and a country, which they would like to increase the level of cooperation.

“For us, we welcome that. I told them that, for Mr. President, diversification of Nigerian economy is extremely important. And agriculture is absolutely key in that context.  I told them that we looked forward, cooperating with them in the field of agriculture.”

Asked if  the Russian officials were  giving settlement of the Aluminum Smelting Company dispute as condition for investing in agriculture in Nigeria, Onyeama clarified: “No, they didn’t give it as a condition. They just said that it was important to have the matter settled. Of course, naturally, they are pushing for Rusal , which is Russian company that had been awarded the contract at a point. I pointed it out to them that the executive does not have any leverage on the judiciary, that the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land.

“We have a bi-National Commission with Russia, we meet at a very high level regularly. We met in Abuja last year to look at the broad spectrum of areas of cooperation between the two countries. They have proposed that we should meet again towards the end of this year, October or November. This mechanism is extremely important. It is a framework in which we look at all the areas of our cooperation. And in this context , they have  pointed out that they would continue to provide training and educational facilities for Nigeria when Nigerian students come to Russia. That is very important. They are keen to get involved in a number of priority areas like infrastructure, power.”

Meeting with Levrov 

 If Onyeama’s meeting with the Minister of Agriculture was engaging and colourful, his session with the Minister of Foreign Affairs was encompassing. Perhaps, as a way of demonstrating how important the meeting was to the Russian Federation, top level security officials were on hand to lead Onyeama’s  convoy. 

The meeting lasted for about three hours. But the two ministers did not disperse immediately. Levrov and Onyeama held a joint press conference where they briefed journalists on the outcome of their meeting. 

Levrov was the first to speak. He said the Russian  government was ready to support measures  that would be taken by Nigeria to conclusively end Boko Haram and other terrorist activities in the country. To this end, he  said Russia had resolved to commit more effort and attention to issues that would improve security and stability in Nigeria and other African countries. 

Focusing specifically on areas the meeting between him and Onyeama discussed, Levrov said: “We have exchanged opinions on issues, not only in Nigeria but also Syria, Libya and Middle East. Solutions to the problems in these  areas can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue.”

He also said the meeting discussed political and economic issues that affect the two countries. “We  have agreed that we should speed up processes on political and economic agreement. We discussed regional and global agenda. We have agreed to coordinate our efforts within the UN on mutually beneficial issues,” the Russian Foreign Minister further explained.  

Onyeama took it up from there. Beaming with confidence, he gave  more insight into the meeting. First, he  commended  Russia for always standing with Nigeria from the days of Independence till date. He particularly paid tribute to Russia for supporting Nigeria in the fight against terrorism as well as for its educational support to the country  through granting of scholarships to about 10,000 Nigerians.

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He acknowledged: “Russia has been a partner in the fight against insurgency. Russia has given   over 10,000 scholarship,” adding, “Russia has been a partner in the industrialisation of Nigeria, especially playing a key role in the oil and gas sector.” 

Onyeama implored other countries to rally round Nigeria in the war on insurgency, stressing that although the administration of President of President Muhammadu Buhari had degraded the military capacity of Boko Haram, there was still need for the international community to join forces with the country to tackle and bring an end to the activities of the sect. He explained that the support of the international community would help in blocking the insurgents’sources of funding. 

“Other  countries have to come together to fight insurgency not only in Nigeria but Africa generally,” he pleaded. 

Africa  Day celebration

The event was extraordinary in many ways. On hand were, expectedly, Levrov and key Russian officials. Russia’s Foreign Affairs Minister represented President Vladimir  Putin. But beyond that, the colourful event turned out to be a platform to celebrate Nigeria and Zambia. Only Onyeama and his Zambian counterpart, Mr. Harry Kalaba, were given the opportunity to deliver papers. 

Putin, through Levrov,  pledged to “continue to build up multi-dimensional and mutually beneficial relations” with African countries. He also said his country would continue to participate in “various assistance programmes and projects for Africa implemented under the auspices of the UN, G20 and BRICS.”

Onyeama’s speech lasted five minutes but it earned him ovation. Part of his speech read: “While we commemorate this year’s Africa Day, may I remind you of theAfrica Union Assembly Decision (Assembly/AU/Dec.601 (XXVI) of January 2016 to devote the theme of the year 2017 to Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investments in Youth. Today’s occasion, therefore, presents us with a unique opportunity to reflect whilst celebrating important milestones on youth development across the continent. 

 “​The significance of harnessing the demographic dividend to Africa’s transformation cannot be overemphasised and has been acknowledged by African leaders at the highest level and in key ministerial platforms. In adopting this theme, we have been guided by the realisation that a demographic dividend offers a strategic basis for focusing and prioritising investments in people in general and the youth in particular. This will catalyse our collective aim to achieve sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and to build an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, which is driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.”

“It can be said today that Africa has largely succeeded in overcoming the challenges and threats to her unity.  But it is really not yet Uhuru. The AU should now be focused on actively addressing the lingering issues of cooperation in fighting underdevelopment and terrorism that are beyond the reach of any single African state to tackle.   We must promote peace and security, intra-Africa trade and regional integration as drivers of sustainable human development in Africa.

“​Commemorating Africa Day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the significant progress made by the continent since the inception of the OAU 54 years ago and the transformation to the African Union. There is improvement in peace and stability, democratic governance, human development, the promotion and protection of human rights, the quest for accelerated regional and continental integration through the execution of the regional and continental projects, the enthronement of gender parity in national and continental institutions and the reduction of infant and maternal mortality are some of the many other tangible peace dividends that Africa may rightly feel proud of.

   “​Africa, as a continent has attained an average growth rate of 5% over the last 15 years, with six countries among the top 10 in the world’s most dynamic economies.  It is also clear that Africa is one of the regions of the world where growth is definitely on the fast lane.   However, many challenges remain in spread of the benefits of its abundant human and natural resources. It was, therefore, in response to these challenges that, at the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in January 2015 adopted Agenda 2063, establishing the most significant structural transformation programme for the Continent for the next 50 years. The implementation of this programme will be undertaken in several gradual steps, as provided for in the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan 2014-2023.

​“The goal of shared prosperity for all African citizens underpins Agenda 2063, and gives African women and youths a prominent place, as it commits the continent to promote gender equality through the empowerment of women and young people in all spheres of life.”

Meeting with Embassy staff and Nigerian community

Clearly Onyeama was happy with the warm reception accorded him by the Russian officials but he was happier with his interaction with the Nigerian community and the embassy staff. It was a no-hold-barred session.

Gafai said “I thank you for this meeting. We have some challenges which I know this meeting will help us to resolve.”

Other staff of the ministry also aired their views on some happenings in the ministry. At the end, the foreign minister promised to looked the concerns raised. 

Onyeama’s demeanor last Thursday vividly showed  how happy he was with the outcome of his trip. On his take home from the trip, he told newsmen: “The take home should be that Russia is ready to engage more with Nigeria, Africa in the areas of priority to us. Such areas are security, economy and infrastructure. This is a very a good thing. We are trying to diversify our economy and it is not only in strengthening various sectors but also in engaging with different partners. Russia has some value they can add to our economic relations in the area of oil and gas, power, agriculture and science and technology. They are particularly strong in these areas and they can help our industrialisation drive . 

“For Africa, peacekeeping and their role in the UN as one of the five members of security council, they will have influence on the resources UN would make available for peace keeping in Africa. Most of the peacekeeping duties undertaken by UN are in Africa, so the support of Russia will go a long to convince other members to increase the amount of money needed for it in Africa.

“We also want to cooperate with Russia in the area of terrorism. It is a global challenge. They are also facing it. We are stepping up our cooperation with Russia in this fight. 

“We look for Russia’s support also in reform of the United Nations and also to support Africa as a permanent member of the security council in the UN. We are very optimistic that we will have a win win for Africa , Nigeria and Russia ”

 Arguably, if there was one memory that  Onyeama would want to retain on his mind  for several decades, one of them certainly would be last week’s visit to Russia.