Russia-Ukraine conflict: Our relations with both countries intact – FG
From Cross Udo
The Federal Government yesterday said Nigeria still has “very good diplomatic relations” with Russia and Ukraine despite the conflict between the two countries and was willing to take up offers that would benefit the citizens of the country.
The government also said it does not regret abstaining from voting to suspend Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council over allegations of gross human rights violations in Ukraine.
Russia had warned countries at the United Nations that a yes vote on a United States’ push to suspend her from the Human Rights Council would be viewed as an “unfriendly gesture” with consequences for bilateral ties.
Speaking yesterday, while fielding questions at the 36th Session of the State House Briefing, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Aduda, said Nigeria enjoys good diplomatic relations with the two countries.
The Permanent Secretary was responding to the question on whether Nigeria was willing to take up Russia’s offer to absorb Nigerian students willing to continue their education.
He said: “Concerning Russia offering admission to Nigerians to study in their universities, one thing we need to understand is that for now, our relations with both Russia and Ukraine are intact. We have very good diplomatic relations with Ukraine, we have very good diplomatic relations with Russia. And should that offer be put on the table, and we’ll have students that desire to continue, why not?”
Aduda added that Nigerian students whose programmes were interrupted by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict would continue their studies online and physically in other universities that gave admission to those who wish to continue elsewhere.
He noted that aside from universities who have begun virtual classes since the conflict started, other universities in neighbouring states (with similar curricular to Ukraine’s) have offered Nigerian students’ admission to complete their studies.
Aduda, however, explained that all admission processing must be done through the Nigerian missions as this would be the surest way to confirm that interested students were previously enrolled into various programmes in Ukraine.
He said: “Some universities have continued their classes online. But also, some universities in neighbouring countries such as Romania have reached out to us to offer placement to our students who want to continue their studies physically.
“However, all processing must be done through Nigerian Missions. That’s the only way these nations can know that the students were in Ukraine.
“Education desks are being set up in our missions and the government is happy to help get them (students) get placement in universities that have offered to help.
“The forms will be available to students. A lot of students are being taken in. In Romania some universities have opened their hostels to Nigerian students fleeing the war to continue their studies.”
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, said: “I think it’s good to appreciate no matter how we all feel, that Nigeria has not broken relations with Russia, and there several cooperation between Russia and Nigeria on many issues, education is one.
