Africa must leverage on Russia’s goodwill to develop—Prof. Okoli

Prof. Maurice Okoli, the President of the Nigerian Community in Russia, has emphasised the need for Africa to leverage Russia’s huge reservoir of goodwill to develop the continent.

Okoli said this in an interview on the sidelines of the 2nd Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Summit on Friday in St. Petersburg.

The two-day summit was declared open on Thursday by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with many African leaders in attendance.

It aims at strengthening comprehensive and equal cooperation between Russia and African nations across all areas of society, including politics, security, economic relations, science and technology, and the cultural and humanitarian spheres.

According to Okoli, the world is changing with a lot of things happening, and Russia is definitely a huge country that plays an important role in the world.

“When you talk of the energy sector, Russia is almost number one.

“Something like fertiliser, grain technology, and atomic energy cannot be ignored.

On the African side, there is also a need for continued cooperation. Africa is open to all countries.

“Africa needs development; it needs partnerships and new initiatives.

“I can say there is a second scramble for African countries; all the major powers are coming in for business and for influence. Definitely, Africa is ready.

“I can say that the last frontier of business with about one billion people,  a lot of resources, and a young population is definitely in Africa.

“And I can tell you that Russia has a good reservoir of goodwill in Africa, and that goodwill was created by the Soviet Union,’’ he said.

While appreciating the role played by Russia in Africa’s liberation movement, Okoli said that Russia's massive economic and political assistance remains relevant.

“When Africa was struggling for independence in the late 50s and early 60s, the Soviet Union played a very important role in providing massive economic and political assistance to the liberation movement across the African continent.

“So, by that single act, Africa will never forget and has not forgotten,’’ he said.