Ukraine invasion :Nigerian government working towards the evacuation of its nationals in Ukraine

Against the background of the deepening tension in Ukraine over reports of the invasion by Russia, the Federal Government has calmed frayed nerves over the safety of Nigerians in the troubled country.

A Statement signed by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli reads that the Nigerian Government through its embassy in Ukraine is committed towards the safety of its nationals in Ukraine.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has received with surprise, reports of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been reassured by the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine of the safety of Nigerians in that country and measures being undertaken to keep them safe and facilitate the evacuation of those who wish to leave.

“The Federal Government wishes to assure the families with loved ones in Ukraine that as soon as the airports in the country are opened, it would assist in facilitating the evacuation of Nigerians who are willing to leave.

“In the meantime, the Nigerian Mission has confirmed that military action by the Russians has been confined to military installations,” the Statement concludes.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin on Monday, February 21, signed decrees recognizing two separatist pro-Moscow regions in Ukraine as independent.

The decrees recognized two controversial separatist-held regions, the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic, in a ceremony carried on Russian state television.

The provocative move by Putin comes as fears of an invasion into Ukraine increased and has now drawn severe condemnation by the European Union, the United States and other World Leaders.

Chinaka Okeke is a journalist with MOC . He studied Mass Communication at Anambra State University , Uli and did his youth service at Ministry of Information , Culture and Tourism Bayelsa State where he engaged in reporting activities of the state as a journalist. Currently , He is currently running his masters degree in Mass Communication at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
He joined the services of GUARDIAN NEWSPAPERS in 2012 as a Reporter where he covered activities of Embassies, international organisations, Insurance etc. He later joined The AUTHORITY NEWSPAPERS in 2015 where he rose through the rank of Foreign Affairs Editor.
During his sojourn in The AUTHORITY NEWSPAPERS, he had also covered the activities of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development , Ministries of Tourism , Ministries of Trade and Investment among others. With his experience in journalism over the years, he was able to explore various reporting and writing techniques such as feature writing, editing, investigation and editing, with over over 400 publications to his credit.
He has covered workshops and conferences, both in Nigeria and abroad.
He has served as the Financial Secretary , Diplomatic Correspondent Association of Nigeria (DICAN). He is a member Culture, Arts ,Tourism , Entertainment Writers Association (CATEWAA) and a member of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).