26 August 2012, Sweetcrude, ABUJA – NIGERIA wants to partner Iran to address critical economic issues, Nigeria’s Vice President Namadi Sambo has disclosed.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Nigeria Saeed Koorechi at the State House in Abuja.
Asking for Iran’s support in improving Nigeria’s power, oil and gas, transportation, agriculture and health sectors, he said Nigeria was working to complete the formation of a joint commission between the two countries in the near future, along with other outstanding issues.
Nigeria was also buying Iran-made power components used in the construction of 10 new thermal power plants under the National Independent Power Projects, NIPP, Sambo said.
He told Koorechi Nigeria was looking forward to the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Nations in Tehran, Iran, noting his country was ready to add value to the success of the summit by joining in championing the cause of universal freedom for humanity and improving the socio-economic condition of member nations.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Umar Sani, said already plans were underway for Nigeria to seek support of Iran in the areas of power, transportation, agriculture, science education, oil and gas exploration, fertilizer production, health care delivery and security.
“Sambo said that Nigeria is looking forward to the Summit and expressed her desire to add value to the success of the organization to attain lofty heights in championing universal freedom of humanity and improving the socio-economic conditions of member nations,” the statement added.
Sambo, it said, will work conscientiously to ensure that joint commissions in the envisaged areas of cooperation are formed and actualized, adding that Nigeria was already doing business with Iran by the purchase of power components that are being used in the National Independent Power Projects on its 10 new thermal power plants currently being constructed.
Earlier, Koorechi was elated that Nigeria would not only be participating but would be represented by a high level delegation. He said the Summit is billed to host members that consist of 55 percent population of the world and 20 percent of the world’s economies.
He stated that of the over 100 countries that indicated interest to participate, over 50 of them will participate at the level of Presidents’, Prime Ministers and Vice Presidents. He therefore called on Nigeria to take advantage offered by the Summit as the country enjoys large potentials which should be utilized for its benefit.
The Ambassador noted that Iran was self sufficient and export power and oil to neighboring countries while it is able to meet 95 percent of its pharmaceutical demands to her 75 million population. He further stated that Iranian companies have contacted their Nigerian counterparts for mutual cooperation while expressing Iran’s readiness to cooperate with Nigeria to combat insecurity.