Ifeanyi Ibe
The Rector of Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Russia, Olga Korneeva, has urged Nigeria’s Ambassador, Abdullahi Shehu Yibaikwal, to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and Nigerian universities in both scholarship and Research and Development.
Korneeva made the request when the Nigerian ambassador visited the university where many Nigerians are studying on scholarship.
The Voronezh region, with a population of 2.4 million is host to 27 specialized universities with many Nigerians studying in them.
This year, 21 Nigerians graduated from the universities in Voronezh, with nine obtaining First Class degrees. The region is also home to vast industrial and agricultural resources that can be beneficial to Nigeria.
During the visit, the rector told Abdullahi that Nigerian students are hardworking and are among the best-graduating students.
Abdullahi’s visit was aimed at strengthening the bilateral economic, educational, scientific and cultural cooperation between Nigeria and Russia.
The high point of the ambassador’s visit which spanned 14th-16th of July, was the meeting with the Nigerian community in Voronezh, as well as the award and recognition of 36 Nigerian students who graduated with First Class Honours degrees in Medicine, Engineering and Biotechnology in the Russian Federation and one in General Medicine in the Republic of Belarus. He urged members of the Nigerian community to live in peace and remain law-abiding.
Abdullahi also urged them not to forget their home and do everything they can to contribute to the development of Nigeria as there is no place like home, no matter how long they live in a foreign land.
While congratulating the First-Class graduating students, he said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken off with speed and releasing landmark policies and reforms that will improve Nigeria.
The ambassador also noted that all citizens have ample opportunities to contribute to nation-building and urged the students who benefitted from the federal government scholarship to give back to their fatherland in their specialized areas.
He assured them that the award and recognition of outstanding Nigerians in the Russian Federation will be an annual event of the embassy.
The students thanked the ambassador and members of his entourage for the initiative, which according to them was the first.
Earlier, the Nigerian ambassador paid a courtesy call to the Governor of the Voronezh region, Alexander Gusev. During their bilateral meeting Abdullahi recalled that the bilateral education cooperation between the two countries which started during the Soviet era has been one of the main thrusts of Nigeria’s relations with the Russian Federation.
He expressed appreciation to the governor for the support and opportunities given to Nigerians in the region both in their studies and vocation after graduation.
He informed the governor that Nigerians are law-abiding and urged him to continue to provide the environment for their well-being in his region.
In his response, the governor thanked the ambassador for the visit, and noted that it is a demonstration of Nigeria’s concern for her citizens.
He also informed the ambassador about the vast potential of the region and expressed the hope that Nigerian companies will take the advantage to strengthen bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Exploring the economic and industrial potentials of the region, Abdullahi paid a visit to Komos Oil and Gas, a company that specializes in oil and gas servicing.
Alexander Dudetsky, Executive Director of the All-Russia Public Organization (Business Russia), received the ambassador and took him on a guided tour of the company’s facilities.
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