"Russia has a lot of similarities with Nigeria and especially Ndi-Igbo because it's a country where family values are paramount, and that is one thing Ndi-Igbo has that is very important to the Igbo man – family " Umenne said.
"I am happy the Russian government has started looking towards Africa… The important thing is that the Russian administration today should understand that they are wholeheartedly welcomed in Africa, especially in Nigeria," he said, further expressing his strong belief in the potential for cooperation between Russia and Igboland (which stretches from eastern Nigeria to part of Niger).
"There is a need to organize programs whereby Ndigbo and Russia will be having this cultural exchange explaining details of what and what we do, the seasons they come in and how they are supposed to be done in Igbo land," he said.