Following his condolence visit along with some former top government officials to the Russian embassy in Abuja, former minister of aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode said during an interview with Arise News that his visit was not on behalf of any Nigerian government, but was born from the need to show support for the victims of the atrocities demonstrated towards the people of Russia.
He began by speaking about the importance of his visit, underscoring the need to show solidarity with victims of atrocities, as demonstrated by their recent visit to the Russian ambassador after the tragic events at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow where 4 gunmen killed over 137 people.
“I think it’s important that if anybody on the planet earth is subjected to the kind of atrocities that the people of Moscow were, just the other day last week, I think it’s important that we stand with anybody no matter how we feel about them politically or otherwise and express our solidarity and our concern and our commiserations and condolences. That’s primarily the purpose for going to see the Russian ambassador, and they received us so warmly with great appreciation. These things happen all over the world and it’s not just started. It is very important. And I think it was a historic visit and it was much appreciated by the Russians.”
Fani-Kayode clarified that the visit to the Russian ambassador was not on behalf of any government, and is not an effort to try to move from the West to the East when it comes to relations, but rather as concerned individuals and friends of Russia. He emphasized that his personal ties to Russia motivated his visit.
“Well, we didn’t go there in any government capacity whatsoever. We didn’t go there to represent any government, least of all, the present federal government. And we weren’t asked to do that. We went there as human beings, as concerned Nigerians, as friends of Russia. All of us that went there are well acquainted with the Russian people and the Russian state. We all admire President Putin of Russia and we admire what Russia is doing on the African continent and indeed throughout the world. I have been a great supporter and friend of Russia since the war in Syria. So for me, for many many years, I have been close to the Russians and therefore it’s only natural for me to go there in my own capacity. All those that went also feel the same way about Russia.
“There were many people that would have gone. We limited it to just six people. I believe it’s fair to say that Russia is the new kid on the block on the African continent. And it doesn’t mean we’re moving away from anybody.”
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