“Our country is ready as it has always been, to lend a hand to Nigeria in this struggle”.

Russia has expressed its support and solidarity with the Federal Government to fight insurgency and associated security challenges.

The Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Nikolay Udovichenko, said this in his address on the National Day of the Russian Federation, Thursday.

“We know from our own experience, how important it is to stand together in the fight against terrorism.

“Our country is ready as it has always been, to lend a hand to Nigeria in this struggle,” Mr. Udovichenko said.

He said the Russian Federation had maintained close and friendly relations with Nigeria since its independence.

“These relations have always been based on mutual respect and mutually beneficial cooperation,” the ambassador said.

He also said that Russia would continue to encourage and support Nigeria’s strides in economic and social development.

The ambassador said that the volume of trade between Nigeria and Russia had not developed much.

He said Russia was interested in increasing trade between these two countries.

He also said that Russia would continue its educational programme to Nigerian students on free basis.

This year, almost 75 Nigerian students would go to Russian universities for different courses, he stated.

(NAN)