A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers state, Prince Tonye Princewill, has argued that President Muhammadu Buhari’s trip to Russia will increase Russian investments in Nigeria.
He described the trip as a diplomatic master piece that will boost the nation’s image.
Princewill, in a statement in Abuja, stated that those against the President’s visit to Sochi in Russia were ignorant of the duties and functions of a President.
According to him: “The President is the No one diplomat of his country and no diplomat stays in one place and expects good relationships with other countries. He is the Chief Sales Officer of his country and there’s no salesman who stays in his company and expects to make greater sales.
“He is the Chief Public Relations Officer and Reputation Manager of his country, again no Public Relations officer would stay back and expects any good relationships with sister countries.
“With the damage to our reputation from corruption, crime and the self afflicted injuries of PDP’s 16 years of misrule, we can’t expect the President to stay in one place and think that things will improve.
“In any case what are the results of Mr President’s diplomatic forays? From China we have the Railways, Mambilla Dam and better Airports. From Germany, Siemens power interventions. From South Africa better protection for our citizens. From Saudi Arabia and the Middle East we have the Sukuk bond. The list goes on.
“What are the benefits of such negativity other than further erosion to our name and image? This is something the President is working very hard to correct. I support him. I suggest we all do same.”
He further stated the agreements between Russia and Nigeria are suggestive of the fact that the country will in the near future attract large Russian investment to Nigeria
He said the opportunity provided by the visit is a direct product of a government that has now instilled a new uncommon confidence in international investment.
He said: “Those who displayed their ignorance of how world trade and politics are played by going on record to say that Buhari need not go to Sochi but should instead stay at home and solve the problems of decades sitting back in the villa, must now be hiding their collective heads in shame.
“To see and hear all that Mr. President has achieved in Russia should impress even his harshest critics – if they have a conscience of course.
“But as with so many agreements, meetings, summits and presidential visits, follow up is key. With a new cabinet that has results to deliver and a more collaborative legislature however, I see few challenges to a positive outcome.
“As I scrolled down the 13 areas of agreement reached and compared it with reports from the other 4 countries that were specially invited to Sochi, it became obvious that Egypt that had a whooping 40% of all Russian investment to date were about to share the same space of prominence with Nigeria as it was clear that there was a pivot to our own dear fatherland by Russia.
“Add that to the clear and present preferred destination status for the Chinese investment and you will see that the future is getting brighter.
“This opportunity is a direct product of a government that has now instilled a new uncommon confidence in international investment.”