Russia To Partner With Nigeria In Military Technical Cooperation

Nigeria and Russia have agreed to establish military technical cooperation which would be tagged ‘Joint Defence Technical Cooperation Committee’ (JDTCC).

This agreement took place recently at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja. This recent development is targeted at empowering the bilateral security relationship Nigeria and Russia both enjoy which was established during the fourth Joint Commission meeting between them.

During the occasion, the Nigerian delegation was led by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Khadija Bukar Ibrahim, who was ably represented by the Director European Affairs in the Ministry, Ambassador Baba Garba, while the Russian delegation was led by the Deputy Head Russian Delegation, Mr Dianov Alexandar Yurievich.

In an interview, the Director European Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria told members of the press, that alot was discussed regarding the three areas of government particularly; security, corruption and the economy. Adding that it was an avenue where the relationship between both countries is analysed looking at areas of interest and of cooperation and assistance both at international and domestic fora. “This will definitely open doors for us to get more equipment, arms from Russia at a moderate price than going into the international market. Those are the areas that we concentrated on this joint commission, “he said.

The JDTCC, poised to consider present and prospective bilateral cooperation in military technical areas, is set to take effect after the coming into force of the MOU between both parties on military and technical cooperation.Both countries have agreed to sign into force the agreement between them on cooperation in the field of the use of Nuclear Energy for peaceful purposes.At the meeting both parties disclosed their interest in reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, as Nigeria encouraged Russia to participate in the international bidding process for the plant.

Both parties have welcomed efforts of United Company RUSAL (UC RUSAL) and Nigeria to restart production of the ALSCON Aluminum Smelter. They have equally agreed to resolve the issues that prevent such restart including the final settlement of all legal matters in order to eliminate the legal ambiguity around the UC RUSAL proprietary rights over ALSCON. Nigeria emphasised on the importance of repatriating neglected radioactive source substance in Ajaokuta.

In similar a development, both countries have shown the desire to strengthen bilateral relations in different fields, with Russia equally indicating its interest in mining, construction of water and sewage process within the frame of industrial plant and power facilities in Nigeria.In terms of agricultural cooperation, the Nigerian Ambassador also stressed, “We import alot of wheat from Russia, and we are telling the Russians that it has to stop. We want the Russian companies and farmers come to Nigeria join hands with Nigeria to show us how we can improve our Agriculture with modern equipment, modern technology so that we can also pursue the Agricultural policies that we have set for this present administration and for the people of Nigeria,” he said.

Nigeria on its part, has requested that Russia take action in considering draft MOU forwarded by the NDLEA on cooperation to fight against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs.The countries also looked at the state of cooperation in the area of education and science to which both indicated interests to expand, with Russia promising to build a conducive condition for the study of the Russian Language in Nigeria.