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Russian Embassy denies forcing Nigerian students to fight in Ukraine
The Russian Embassy in Nigeria on Wednesday vehemently denied claims of coercing African students, particularly Nigerians, to participate in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in exchange for visa extensions.
According to Bloomberg’s Monday report, Russia purportedly sought to enlist thousands of migrants and foreign students to reinforce its troops in the war against Ukraine, adopting tactics similar to those employed by the Wagner mercenary group.
European officials reportedly assessed this situation, claiming that the Kremlin was threatening not to extend visas for African students and young workers unless they agreed to join the military.
Yevgeny Primakov, head of Rossotrudnichestvo, an organisation focused on spreading knowledge about Russia abroad, estimated that there are currently 35,000-37,000 African students in Russia.
Labelling the reports as fake news and entirely unfounded, the embassy emphasised the potential damage such misinformation could inflict on the educational cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.
According to the embassy’s statement, no association of Nigerian students in Russia has confirmed the allegations.
Nigerian students reportedly face no difficulties in extending their visas while pursuing their studies in Russia, the embassy added.
The embassy commended the efforts of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for debunking the false claims and reaffirmed its commitment to fostering friendship and cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.
The statement read, “The Embassy of the Russian Federation is compelled to emphasize that such news is not only false but also damages Russian-Nigerian educational cooperation by misleading numerous scholarship and grant applicants as well as their partners, who could be extremely concerned by such fakes.
“The Embassy states that Nigerian students face no difficulties in extending their visas while continuing their studies in Russia. Numerous associations of Nigerian students in Russia have not reported any issues in obtaining the necessary documentation to continue their stay in the country.
“The Embassy welcomes the official press release of the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter and expresses gratitude to the Ministry and the Association of Nigerian Students in Moscow for their efforts in debunking the fake news aimed at undermining the friendship and cooperation between Russia and Nigeria.”
Human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi has been granted ₦30 million bail by a Magistrate court in Ekiti State.
The court also asked Farotimi to provide 3 sureties with a landed property within the jurisdiction.
He was told to refrain from media interview and to submit his international passport. The case has been adjourned till 13th February 2025.
Farotimi, who has been remanded in a correctional centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, arrived at the Magistrate Court premises around 9:45 am on Friday.
He was conveyed to the court premises in a prison’s van with a police escort, alighting while raising his hands up in appreciation of a cheering crowd outside the court.
His bail comes after the magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, had at the last sitting, reserved ruling till December 20 on the bail application and ordered that the activist be remanded in prison.
During the court proceedings, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him by the police.
His counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, had filed a preliminary objection asking the court to strike out the charge.
According to him, the charge before the court was unknown to law and the offence of defamation was not recognised under the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.
Farotimi is being prosecuted before a chief magistrate’s court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola.
The arrest of the activist sparked public criticisms with many Nigerians calling for his immediate release.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Council FCT Council has mourned the sudden demise of the former Secretary of the Council, Mrs. Rafat Idris.
Mrs Rafat died in the early hours of Friday, December 20th 2024, in Abuja after a brief illness.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle described the untimely death of the former Secretary as a huge shock to the Union.
According to the statement, “The Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) FCT Council received the news of sudden death of the former Secretary, Mrs Rafat Salami today, Friday, December 2024, with a rude shock and disbelief.”
“Rafat is a great asset to journalism and a quintessential journalist who has served the union meritoriously in many capacities at different levels.”
“ She is a friend and mother to all.”
“She served the union with unwarranted dedication and commitment, contributing significantly to the growth of the profession during her tenure as Secretary of Council. She is a peace-loving and easygoing person who has remained a strong member. “
“She was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend to many people in the profession. Her passion for professionalism and excellence will always be remembered. “
The council expresses its deep condolences to the immediate family she left behind, the NUJ Voice of Nigeria (VON) Chapel, the NUJ, and the entire VON management in this time of grief.
Rafat was the Assistant Director of Digital Media I Voice of Nigeria (VON). She was the former Assistant Secretary of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and re-elected as the Treasurer of the Institute last week.
She was the founder of the Okenite Foundation for Special Needs Children and a Media Personnel of Habbabiya.
She hails from Ihima in the Okenne Local Government Area of Kogi State, and she is survived by three children.
She will be buried today at the Gudu Cemetery according to Islamic rite.
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