Nigeria, Iran to Partner On Power, Others

The Federal Government and Islamic Republic of Iran have agreed to partner in the area of electricity supply, agriculture, science and education.

This position was reached at a bilateral meeting between Vice President Namadi Sambo and President Mhamoud Ahmadinejad of Iran at the holding room of the venue of the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Tehran.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mfon Udott, Sambo stated that to realise the decisions taken at the Summit, the level of development in the country calls for partnership so that both countries can realise their developmental objectives.

He said though there are Iranian companies in the country, Nigeria needs more cooperation with Iran to enable her attend its developmental goals especially in the power sector.

Vice President Sambo expressed the concern of the Federal Government over the eviction notice given to the Nigerian Embassy in Tehran, noting that despite the fact that Nigeria has acquired the property since 1994, three people have come forward in 2006 to lay claim to the property.

He used the occasion to highlight what the country has done so far in building both thermal and hydro power projects as well as other projects in agriculture.

In his remark, President Mhamoud Ahmadinejad expressed his appreciation for what Nigeria is doing in the sub-region and promised to look into the issue of the Embassy building, saying he looks forward to having stronger relationship between the two countries.

In a similar development, Vice President Sambo also had bilateral discussions with Mali. He expressed the position of the Federal Government, saying that "that country's national integrity is not negotiable and the activity of terrorists in the country is not acceptable".

Vice President Sambo made the remark in a discussion with the delegation from Mali led by its Foreign Affairs Minister in the Government of National Unity, Tieman Coulibally. Sambo restated Nigeria's resolve to support Mali overcome its internal challenges and attend democracy and usher in a new government with new objectives.

He commended Mali for accepting to establish a Government of National Unity, noting that "Mali, being a brotherly country to Nigeria and a member of ECOWAS deserve all the support to overcome the security challenges and usher in democracy".

Earlier, Coulibally extended the fraternal greetings of his President, Prof. Dioncounda Traore to President Jonathan and the people of Nigeria and regretted that his President could not meet in Nigeria before the Tehran Summit.

He lamented the unexpected turbulence and unrest unleashed by terrorist in the North of Mali and requested "Nigeria being. a leading country in West Africa to support Mali overcome its internal challenges".

He also commended President Jonathan for his personal commitment to ECOWAS and Nigeria for hosting Mali citizens.