President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja on Monday to attend a three-day Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia, October 23rd – 25th.
A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President will use the opportunity to meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to further strengthen relations in security, trade and investment, and building partnership that will enhance Nigeria’s huge gas potential, following Russia’s remarkable success in gas exportation.
The summit, which will be attended by African Heads of State, will bring fresh perspectives on some global issues and challenges like nuclear technology, energy development, digital transformation, environment, technical security, mining and steel, education, agriculture, infrastructure and development strategies.
An African Business Forum, which will bring together African and Russian business leaders, will be held during the event to enhance Russian investments in Africa, and promote African business interest in the host country.
President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
Others on the trip are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite and Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.
Already a group of private sector investors under the aegis of Nigerian Russian Business Council (NRBC), said plans are on to attract private investors to the Nigeria moribund steel and aluminum sectors, with specific focus on Ajaokuta Steel and the Aluminium Company Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), during the summit
The plans, according to Adetokunbo Kayode, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and President of the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industries ACCI, is part of the agenda Nigeria is pushing to achieve at the forthcoming Russia -Africa Summit strted on October 20, at Sochi, Russia.
The plan is coming after several years of failed efforts to revive the industries with strong potentials for economic growth and positive impact in other sectors
But Kayode, who also doubles as President of the Nigeria-Russia Business Council, blames “ poor preparations” for Nigeria’s inabilities to extract gains from several bilateral talks with other countries
