1.
GV Supreme head-quarters building i Lagos
0.06

2.
CU Sign - Heads of States ambassadors
0.10

3.
GV Int. Guests seated at table
0.14

4.
SV General Gowon and Ambassador Romanov seated
0.19

5.
GV Luncheon
0.24

6.
SV General Gowon stands
1.00

7.
SV Delegates drinking toast
1.04

8.
CU Ambassador's medallion around neck
2.08

9.
LV Delegates applaud
2.14

10.
SV Ambassador shakes hands with Gowon
2.22


TRANSCRIPTS: SEQ. 6: GOWON: Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, please do rise and join in toasting the health of ambassador Romanov and Romanova, and let us also toast U.S.S.R. - Nigerian friendship.



SEQ. 8: AMBASSADOR ROMANOV: I accept this declaration not only as a person, as ambassador Romanov, but as a representative of the Soviet people as a recognition of the Federal military government, of their effort, and that support and help which was given by the soviet Government, Soviet people, by the whole Soviet Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in difficult years of crisis. And I must say that the very important historical victory was won and now is difficult to say the importance and I am sure in five or ten years it only will be appreciated properly. I am sure in five or ten years it only will be appreciated properly.




Initials JB/AW/OS/2235 JB/AW/OS/2300



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Nigeria's Head of State, General Gowon, attended a special farewell dinner on Thursday (September the 8th) for the retiring Soviet Ambassador, Mr. Romanov, and his wife.

Before he left Nigeria Mr. Romanov had conferred on him by General Gowon the title of Commander of the Niger. This is the second highest honour in Nigeria.

Mr. Romanov was Soviet Ambassador in Nigeria for six years and was doyen of the diplomatic corps in Lagos.

General Gowon said that relations between Nigeria and the Soviet Union had improved a hundredfold during Mr. Romanov's term of duty. He added that the friendly relations between the two countries were based on realism and not ideological considerations.

Later, when Mr. Romanov was leaving from Lagos airport to return to Moscow, he announced that General Gowon had accepted an invitation to visit the Soviet Union.