SARAKI ADDRESSES RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT, SEEKS STRONGER SECURITY, ECONOMIC COOPERATION

“As your economy, like ours, recovers from recession, we say that part of the consolidation process must be a stronger focus on Africa, and Nigeria in particular. As leaders of our nations’ parliaments, therefore, we must think of not just today but well into the future, to pursue and implement initiatives that release the potentials of our peoples in their desire for economic development’.

“With Russia and Nigeria projected to be the biggest economies in Europe and Africa respectively in just three decades from now, it would be a travesty if we did not strive to strengthen cooperation and partnership to reap the gains in terms of GDP growth’.

“As the country with the biggest gas reserves on earth, Russia should be a leading player in the African oil and gas sector. Stronger collaboration for gas development would help Nigeria solve acute problems of power generation as well as provide for other local uses’.

“The time is ripe to redefine the relationship between our two countries, based on partnership, to improve the state of infrastructural and economic development, for the good of our people,” he said.

He said that Nigeria and Russia need to collaborate more to develop common strategies for tackling the problem of terrorism and human trafficking as their contribution sustainable peace in the larger world.

“Terrorism is a global threat. What affects one, affects all; and we look to Russia to join us in building stronger collaboration for the fight against this common enemy. Terrorism, most significantly in the shape of the Boko Haram sect, has continued to pose a serious challenge to the internal security of Nigeria.

“When, at the height of the crisis, we were having difficulty obtaining international support, Russia memorably saved the day by supplying military equipment and assisting us with the training of personnel’.

“We are grateful that you did not abandon us in our hour of need. While Boko Haram is largely decimated now, the threat remains, and new terrorism challenges are arising; one of these being the Herdsmen-Farmers’ crisis that constitutes a clear and present threat to our national security.

“We hope for your continued cooperation and partnership towards combating the threat; and with your support, I have no doubt that Nigeria will prevail,” he said.