The Rector of Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Olga Korneeva, has urged Abdullahi Shehu Yibaikwal, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and Nigerian universities not only in scholarship but also in R&D.
Korneeva requested a visit by the Nigerian Ambassador to the university (Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies) where many Nigerian students are studying on scholarship.
With a population of 2,4 million, the Voronezh region is home to approximately 27 specialized universities, many of which are attended by Nigerians. This year, 21 Nigerians graduated from Voronezh universities, with 9 receiving First Class degrees. The region also has abundant industrial and agricultural resources that might benefit Nigeria.
During the visit, Korneeva assured the Ambassador that Nigerian students are hardworking and among the top graduates. The Ambassador’s visit was intended to strengthen bilateral economic, educational, scientific, and cultural collaboration between Nigeria and his host country.
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, were the highlights of the Ambassador’s two-day visit (14th to 16th July 2023). The Ambassador advised members of the Nigerian community to depart peacefully and by the law.
He also asked them not to forget their homeland and to do everything they could to help Nigeria flourish because there is no place like home, no matter how long they reside in a faraway area.
While congratulating the graduating First-Class students, the Ambassador stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hit the ground running with historic policies and changes that will benefit Nigeria. He stated that all citizens have numerous chances to contribute to the nation’s development. He asked the students who received Federal Government Scholarships to contribute back to their country in their fields of expertise.
He assured them that the Embassy’s annual award and recognition of outstanding Nigerians in the Russian Federation would continue. The kids praised the Ambassador and his crew for the initiative, which they claimed was the first, and wished them a safe return to Moscow.
Earlier, the Nigerian Ambassador paid a courtesy call to Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev. The Ambassador highlighted during their bilateral meeting in the governor’s office that bilateral education cooperation between the two nations, which began during the Soviet era, has been one of the key thrusts of Nigeria’s relations with the Russian Federation.
He thanked the governor for his assistance and the possibilities provided to Nigerians in the region during their studies and after graduation. He advised the governor that Nigerians are law-abiding citizens and urged him to maintain providing a safe environment for them in his zone.
The Governor praised the Ambassador for his visit, which exemplifies Nigeria’s concern for its inhabitants. He told the visiting ambassador of the region’s tremendous potential and expressed optimism that Nigerian businesses will take advantage of the opportunity to develop bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties between the two countries.
The Ambassador also visited Komos Oil and Gas, a company that specializes in oil and gas servicing, to learn more about the region’s economic and industrial potential.
Comments