VANGUARD: NIGERIA TURNS TO RUSSIA

THE "Memorandum on Interaction and Cooperation" which Nigerian government officials signed with their counterparts from the Russia Federation should mark a turning point in efforts to confront internal security challenges, which the international community, at the instance of the United States of America, refused to pay any attention.

Russian Security Council Secretary, Mr. Nikolay Patrushev, announced the signing in Moscow where he met with the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd). The significance of the event could be more appreciated against the backdrop of the termination of the US training of Nigerian soldiers on counter-insurgency tactics, at Nigeria's instance.

Nigeria has, in the past two years, endured the US' increasingly unfriendly gestures. Hitherto our most important Western ally, America threatened to withhold certain category of financial aids to Nigeria, including HIV/AIDS, over the decision of Nigerians to pass the law against homosexuality, a cultural and religious taboo in Nigeria and Africa. US asked its friends to join condemnation and application of certain sanctions against Nigeria over the law. It was as if Nigerians decide what laws the US Congress passes or as if American laws have any consideration for non-Americans. The US did more.

It terminated purchase of Nigeria's crude oil on the development of new technologies to exploit shale oil. The most recent act of unfriendliness by the US towards Nigeria was its outright refusal to sell critical equipment for the fight against terrorists ravaging the country from Nigeria's North East. After endless excuses for not making the sale, it finally hinged US grouse on alleged human rights abuses by Nigerian troops. Human rights records of American troops are not exactly sparkling.

America has not only frustrated Nigeria's efforts to purchase arms and ammunition through informal sources, its media have been very eager to portray our country and our troops in poor light, buoying the courage of the terrorists. Its strident criticisms of Nigeria increases with every move Nigeria makes to tackle her challenges.

Russia, on the other hand, much vilified, has been reliable when approached for military assistance. The former Soviet Union played a decisive role in supplying attack jets, mortars, as well as pilots Nigeria used during the civil war.

We support the Federal Government's relations with Russia. In our relations with any nation, we must assert our non-aligned stance, project our national interests and refuse to be pushed around. Nigeria and Russia have had long relations with Russia in several fields, but the US and its allies have often thwarted the relations for their selfish ends.

Nigeria should explore the security and other dimensions of the relations for the benefit of her peoples, in the national interest.