Nigeria has urged African countries to unite against the proliferation of ballistic missiles in compliance with the peaceful proposition of the “Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC) against ballistic missiles proliferation’’.
The HCoC is a multilateral code on disarmament, accepted by the 143 member nations of the code.
Dr. Halilu Shaba, Director-General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), expressed Nigeria’s desire yesterday in Abuja at an African regional seminar on the code.
He said the HCoC did not ban ballistic missiles, but called for restraint in their production, testing and export to prevent proliferation of the missiles and enhance peace and unity.
The Abuja seminar serves as a platform for African countries to present a common goal to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles and promote peace and stability in Africa.
It also serves to forge adherence to the principles of the code to prove members’ dedication to a world free of threats of dangerous weapons and to assure safety.
Shaba noted that NASRDA would pursue Nigeria’s space capabilities vigorously for socio-economic development of the country and for the improvement of the lives of Nigerians.
He said Nigeria’s roadmap to space technology development included the capability to develop and launch satellites into space from Nigeria rather than launching them from outside the country as had been done previously.
Amb. Samson Itegboje of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa, at the seminar.
He said Nigeria was mindful of the regional implications of ballistic missiles proliferation.