African Currents

Nigerians in Diaspora: A Vital Force for Nation-Building, Bilateral Relations With Russia

Nigerians living abroad are integral to the country's development, contributing their expertise, skills, and resources to drive impactful projects back home. Their efforts exemplify how global networks can foster nation-building and mutually beneficial relations, especially with Russia.
Sputnik
In Nigeria-Russian relations, the priority areas should hinge on mutual economic and social well-being achieved through collaboration, leveraging each other's strengths, Dr. Godwin Ibe, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), tells Sputnik Africa.

"The areas of paramount importance are the areas that develop the socioeconomic welfare and livelihood of both Nigerian citizens and, of course, Russian citizens through mutual cooperation, exchange, both economic interaction and cultural exchange and also focus on our competitive advantages. For example, where we have a weakness that Russia is strong in, we could cooperate more in that. What could that be? For example, energy. We have more, much more demand than our supply can meet. And, Russia is very good in [energy] nuclear production. Rosatom is very popular. We could collaborate more on how we could have this technology transfer that could enable us to beef up our supply of electricity," Ibe remarks.

For her part, Shadé Adepeju-Joseph, Director of the Directorate of Diaspora and International Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, Nigerian National Assembly, expresses her admiration for Russia's stunning architecture and landscape. She notes that her recent visit reflects President Bola Tinubu's commitment, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, to enhance international relations and address the concerns of Nigerians abroad.

"Russia is really, to me, a story that needs to be told. In fact, the architecture, the buildings, the landscape, it is such a scenic masterpiece. I was really captivated by the beauty. It's been an experience that's an extension of what I felt in my interaction with Russian embassy officials that I met with. As you know, my job entails liaising with consulates, parliaments, government agencies, representatives from across the world [...]. Like I tell people about the mandate of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. There is a lot of attention that this administration is going to be giving to these issues," Adepeju-Joseph explains.

To find out what else our guests had to say, tune in to the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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