Envoy frowns at FG’s move to close embassy in Ukraine

The Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Valerii Aleksandruk, has appealed to the Federal Government to review plans to close its mission in Kiev, saying the move would affect relations between the two countries.

Nigeria, in 2015, ordered the downward review of its missions to reduce running cost. Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine, was believed to be among the affected missions.

“We are disappointed that the government of Nigeria has intention to close its diplomatic mission in Kiev, Ukraine,” Aleksandruk said yesterday when the delegation of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, Europe (NIDOE), paid a courtesy call on him in Abuja.

“Definitely, it is going to jeopardise our bilateral relations and as well as affect Nigerian students in Ukraine because they need support from the embassy,” the envoy said.

“So, we are hoping that Nigerian government will review this decision and keep the diplomatic mission in Kiev,” he added.

He said hundreds of Nigerians have graduated from Ukraine universities and currently, about 5,000 others are studying in various universities there.

The Chairperson of NIDOE, Kenneth Gbandi, said his group has written a letter to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs over the move to close Nigerian embassy in Ukraine.

Photo: Akwa Ibom Govt House Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (middle) inspects samples of syringes produced by the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company at the official inauguration of the largest syringe factory in Africa t Onna in Akwa Ibom State on Saturday as part of the...