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Tag: Nuclear

  • UNGA: Nigeria dedicated to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, says Badaru

    UNGA: Nigeria dedicated to nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, says Badaru

    Nigeria has urged Nuclear-Weapon States to fulfill their obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by taking immediate action towards a nuclear-weapon-free world.

    She reiterated her support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and commended nations that have ratified it.

    Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru, said this while addressing delegates at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 79 New York, United States.

    Badaru, in a statement from the Defence Ministry, emphasised Nigeria’s dedication to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Group.

    He stressed the urgent need for nuclear disarmament, citing the significant threat nuclear weapons pose to international peace and humanity.

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    Badaru said that nuclear weapons represent a significant threat that cannot be justified amidst pressing socio-economic development needs.

    He highlighted the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapon use, including severe impacts on health, the environment, and economic resources.

    The minister noted that Nigeria was committed to peaceful nuclear energy applications, praising the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its monitoring efforts.

    Badaru reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to the total elimination of nuclear weapons in the world.

    He said: “While the path to disarmament is challenging, we must remain focused and resolute. Nigeria will continue to play its part in ensuring a safer world for future generation.”

  • ‘Nuclear energy will boost Nigeria’s economy’

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Nigeria’s economy will develop on completion of its nuclear energy power plant, which will provide at least 4,000 megawatts (Mw) in the country.

    The firm, based in United States, in a study said Nuclear Energy Plant (NPP), which will be located in the eastern and other parts of Nigeria, will provide direct and indirect economic benefits to the citizens.

    It said opportunities abound in the areas of manufacturing of materials such as pumps, valves, pipes, tubes, insulating machines, pressure vessels, pressurizers, heat exchangers and others, adding that the idea will boost the economy.

    He said activities of suppliers of concrete and steel materials will be boosted, as they would create jobs for more people.

    It said: Nuclear Energy Plant will boost the activities of manufacturers of goods by acceding power for production. The construction of nuclear energy plant in India and Czech Republic has created jobs for the countries and Nigeria would not be an exception. Also, tax proceeds from the plant are used to build schools and provide other developmental projects in those countries, and Nigeria is expected to derived similar benefits.

    The firm said that nuclear energy plants in Czech Republic provides $6million for the economy annually to develop infrastructure in the country, stressing that Nigeria will get more revenue, in the vent that the plants are built by 2025.

    ‘’ Construction of nuclear energy plants  provides huge benefits to people  in  countries, where  they are built and this is  (added value) to those economies. Investing in nuclear projects stimulates cash flows to the regional and national budget that often surpass direct investments by a significant margin. The actual amount of investment depends directly on technologies involved. Nigeria will record similar gains, considering its population of over 170million people. ‘It added.

  • FG considers use of nuclear, geothermal energy

    The Federal Government (FG) has confirmed it is considering the safe use of nuclear and geothermal energy to improve power supply in the country.

    Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Abubakar Bwari, said the government has been interfacing with the Nigerian Atomic Energy Agency towards advancing the safe use of nuclear energy.

    He also said that other African countries already have a head start in terms of research on geothermal energy, which Nigeria can take a cue from to develop a robust approach to acquiring new energy resource.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) 2018-NMGS-NGSA discourse series, Bwari stated that the discourse, which is on Geothermal Energy, promises to be quite exciting.

    His words, “As a result, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has consistently been a critical player in advancing alternative supply of energy. In this regard, we have worked closely with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in the coal to power programme.

    “Indeed, sourcing for and characterising the coal resources in Nigeria have become the basis for policy direction regarding this initiative. We have also been interfacing with the Nigerian Atomic Energy Agency towards advancing the safe use of nuclear energy.

    “Actually, in the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development Roadmap, we have specifically focused on the exploration of Energy Minerals, including coal, bitumen and uranium out of the growing list of 44 mineral types that we have in Nigeria.

    “I am aware that some countries, even our sister African countries, already have a head start in terms of research on geothermal energy. Information available shows that Kenya for instance, has achieved about 1000mw of energy from geothermal energy. Nigeria can therefore take a cue from this and develop a robust approach to acquiring this new energy resource, he said.

  • N/Korea’s new nuclear test “extremely regrettable”- UN

    N/Korea’s new nuclear test “extremely regrettable”- UN

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has condemned Sunday’s reported nuclear bomb test by Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    The Director General of IAEA, Yukiya Amano, described North Korea’s latest nuclear launch as “an extremely regrettable act that completely disregarded the international community’s repeated demands.

    “Today’s nuclear test by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is an extremely regrettable act.

    “This new test, which follows the two tests last year and is the sixth since 2006, is in complete disregard of the repeated demands of the international community.”

    UN Resolution

    In its resolutions, most recently in 2371, the UN Security Council reaffirmed its decisions that the DPRK should not conduct any further nuclear tests and should abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

    “Once again, I strongly urge the DPRK to fully implement all relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA,” Amano said.

    The head of the UN atomic agency noted that the agency would continue to closely follow developments in the DPRK nuclear programme and was ready to contribute to its peaceful resolution. (NAN)

  • Nuclear weapons in politics

    In the recent time, acquisition of nuclear weapon has become popular. This is coming at a time the United Nations (UN) is stepping up its non-proliferation campaign to deter countries from acquiring the deadly weapon. Alas, acquisition of nuclear weapons has changed the narrative of warfare in the century; it has become a veritable tool to make countries become more visible.
    Since the use of atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the Americans, nuclear weapons came to the focus because of its enormous destructive power. The use of these deadly weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to the end the World War II.
    A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reaction, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. The politics and the role which nuclear weapons play in international politics and security are increasingly evolving.
    Crucially, these changes are manifesting themselves in competing ways for two different groups of countries. For wealthy and militarily powerful countries, nuclear weapons are playing a diminishing role in security planning. Conversely, some countries that lack advanced military capabilities may be coming to see nuclear weapons as increasingly important, or desirable, for their security.
    The differences between these two groups are reinforced by the fact that, over the past decade, two dictators who ended their nuclear programmes lost their regimes and also their lives. As a result, authoritarian leaders may now have interest in holding on to their nuclear ambitions. The interests of the United States (U.S.), a superpower, are advanced by its agenda to challenge any country with nuclear weapons programmes. The U.S. ends regimes and dissolves authoritarian rules.
    In this age of sophisticated warfare, countries are looking towards nuclear weaponry as guarantor of national sovereignty. The past decade has seen the development of a visible marriage between nuclear programme and leaders’ personal ambition. It is natural to assume a leader’s interest now go hand-in-hand with his nation’s agenda. What motivates many leaders want to want to acquire nuclear weapons is more personal interest than their nation’s sovereignty. If this gains more attraction, it may hamper the programmes of former U.S. President Barack Obama, who worked assiduously to halt and roll back nuclear programme, especially by Iran and North Korea.
    Nuclear politics, combined with existing challenges in both the Middle East and Asia, will force the the President Donald Trump administration to perform a difficult multilateral political, diplomatic and military task in these regions. Although little evidence supports the theory that Iran’s continuing nuclear ambitions and North Korea’s growing nuclear capability could touch off regional ‘proliferation cascades,’ both countries’ activities are likely to force the U.S. to work to assure its jittery allies in the Middle East and Asia that it will stand with them, even in the face of hostile, nuclear-armed powers.
    This pressure has already led the U.S. to respond by deepening diplomatic and political ties with regimes that feel threatened.
    In the Middle East, the U.S. will need to achieve its goals of dissuading Iran from developing nuclear programme for warfare, restraining Israel and reassuring the surrounding Arab states, even as the medium and long-term consequences of the Arab Spring and its effects on U.S. relations and influence in the region remain unclear.
    The U.S. relations with Russia will continue to be negatively influenced by the divide over the value of nuclear weapons and their role in international politics. Forces, such as Russia’s conventional military, have elevated the role of nuclear weapons in security calculus. This trend is reflected in Russia’s ongoing programme of modernising and improving its nuclear arsenal. The chief symptom of this thus far has been U.S.-Russian tensions over ballistic missile defense. It has other implications as well.
    Both Iran and North Korea are working to develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles that could threaten U.S. allies in the Middle East and Asia. In the future, it may possibly threaten the continental U.S. itself.
    The U.S. response has been to field a continuously improving ballistic missile defence system that would shield it and its allies. Russia, unable to build a comparable system on its own, worries that a U.S. missile shield could blunt the effectiveness of its own strategic nuclear forces. Russia fears that this would upset the stable relationship that has existed between it and the U.S. for more than 50 years.
    In conclusion, based on these approaches, nuclear weapons are seen as the instrument to gain international interests. It is built based on the enormous destruction of power of nuclear weapon. This instrument is used in order to gain the objectives, which is more personal than national interest. Indeed, nuclear weapon has an important and special role in the international politics.

    Ibifiri, 400-Level International Relations, Landmark University

  • ‘Time to end dumping of nuclear, toxic waste at sea’

    The time has come to protect the sea from nuclear and toxic waste, African maritime administrators have said.

    A communique issued at the end of the conference of the African Maritime Administrations Association (AAMA) agreed on the need for population, assets and critical infrastructure protection from maritime pollution. They agreed that his could only be done by preventing the dumping of toxic and nuclear waste.

    This was contained in the communique released at the weekend at the end of the conference which held in Abuja.

    The body of all administrators of maritime regulatory bodies came up with the position as one of the major ways to safeguard the future of maritime wealth in the continent alongside other pertinent positions.

    Members of the association consequently agreed to devote concerted efforts and planning to pursue the enhancement of wealth creation and regional and international trade performance through maritime-centric capacity and capability building while ensuring the minimization of environmental damage and expedited recovery from catastrophic events.

    These they observed should be taken into cognisance as well as prevention of hostile and criminal acts at sea, by coordination/harmonization of the prosecution of offenders and improvement of Integrated Coastal Zone/Area Management in Africa, if the continent is to grow maritime trade.

    The conference had in attendance representatives from Mauritania, South Sudan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Comoros, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Benin, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Kenya, Guinea, Libya and Nigeria as well as other non-African countries.

    Dr. Peterside, who takes over from Mr. Sobantu Tilayi, the acting Chief Executive Officer of South African Maritime and Safety Agency (SAMSA), who has been the acting Chair of the association since 2013 stated that task of leading the African Maritime Administrators is enormous but there is the need to collaborate with one another to ensure that the African Oceans and seas are not over exploited to the detriment of the continent.

    Part of the resolutions made at the conference enjoined all African countries to participate in the day set aside by the AU as the African Day of Oceans and Seas.

    “The African Union Commission has set aside 25th July of every year as Africa’s Day of the Seas and Oceans. Maritime Administrations are encouraged to institutionalize this day to raise awareness amongst stakeholders of the strategic importance of maritime governance for sustainable development; highlight the important role Africa needs to play at international maritime forum; raise awareness on Africa’s “Blue Economy” and enhance the focus on maritime safety, security, maritime environment protection and human element”, the Communique read.

    In noting that capacity  building had been a major challenge in the African Maritime sector, member nations agreed to address the enormous challenges of building human capacities in the maritime sector especially regarding training and employment of cadets by urging maritime Administrations to develop an integrated human resources strategy for the maritime sector to support the provision of skills taking into account gender balance in the entire maritime value chain which includes shipping and logistics, offshore activities, fishing, tourism and recreation, and safety and security (AIMS 2050).

    Outgoing Chairman, Tilayi at the closing of the three day event, described Peterside as a committed and dedicated technocrat that will, no doubt, take maritime administration to a higher level. He pledged his support for the NIMASA Director General and urged other African Nations to do so likewise in order to advance the African Maritime Industry.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who also congratulated Peterside on his election as the chairman of AAMA, said Nigeria has paid significant attention to making the maritime business environment friendlier, adding that the immediate priority in this regard is the entry and exit of goods especially in Nigerian seaports to increase efficiency of Nigerian Ports and enable quick turnaround time of vessels.

    Nigeria has been elected Chairman of AAMA with eleven members’ executive committee comprising of representatives of Central Africa (Cameroun & Cape Verde), West Africa (Cote D’Ivoire & Ghana), East Africa (Tanzania & Comoros), Southern Africa (Mozambique and South Africa), North Africa (Egypt & Sudan) and Uganda representing land-locked countries.

    South Africa also retains Secretariat of the association while the association agreed to hold the 2018 Conference in Egypt. Sychelles and Namibia are jostling for the 2019 hosting rights.

    AAMA also approved the Organisation of African Maritime Awards starting from Egypt 2018 to recognise and honor outstanding Africans in the sector.

  • Nigeria ready for nuclear energy, says Fashola

    Nigeria ready for nuclear energy, says Fashola

    The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to commence the production of nuclear energy.

    The Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who spoke in Abuja yesterday said Nigeria had secured the necessary certification from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

    “This thing has protocols and standards; we are already in it; we are not venturing into it; we started a nuclear programme 17 years ago.

    “We have gone through the training level; we have produced 25 graduates of master’s level under certification by the IAEA.

    “We have found the sites; the sites have been approved, two sites have been approved by the IAEA. We have started the design for the financing; that is the stage we are now; once we conclude that, we move to the design for the construction.

    “If all things go well, by quarter four of next year – that is the schedule that I met – we should have started construction, so that is what I meet,“ Fashola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The minister said it was important for Nigeria to focus on the gains and safety of nuclear energy as obtained in other developed countries.

    He said since the whole world was moving toward a cleaner fuel and the use of more sustainable energy, Nigeria could be an exception.

    He, however, said the developed countries could only share the technology with countries ready keep to the standards in the utilisation of the technology.

    Fashola further said diversifying the nation’s energy mix would lead to the utilisation of the various forms of renewable energy sources in the country.

    This, according to him, will ultimately make electricity cheap in the country.

    He said: “What we are thinking about is long-term solution. We need a solution that will endure for generations to come.

    “When you design a power solution, design it so that the next coming generations can use it.”

    He said the ministry and other agencies under his supervision were working hard to ensure that Nigeria obtained the best in the electricity industry through strict regulatory responsibilities.

    On the monthly meeting with stakeholders in the industry, Fashola said it was designed to evolve better ways of managing the industry, adding that it was yielding the desired results.

    Fashola also admitted that the Land Use Act is not defective because it is serving the purpose for which it was enacted.

    He however noted that the administration of the law was its greatest challenge.

    He therefore said any review of the Act should be done at the state level because land administration is on the Residual List.

    The minister explained that there were no plans to amend the Land Use Act of 1978, saying land administration is the exclusive preserve of the states.

  • The Iran nuclear protocols: To be or not to be?

    After grueling negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P5+1  namely the USA ,Russia ,Great Britain ,France ,China and the Federal Republic of Germany  an agreement was reached to prevent Iran from proceeding to build nuclear weapons while tacitly accepting Iran’s sovereign right to conduct and develop its nuclear engineering expertise. The United States as the most important power in the world and self-appointed guardian of the nuclear non- proliferation international regime was the lead negotiator. The United States in recent years has been saddled with the problem of limiting the number of countries that have become nuclear weapons states, especially following the joining of the nuclear weapons club by unstable states like Pakistan and North Korea and the possibility of these weapons falling into wrong hands precipitating their usage with worldwide ramifications.

    But the most concern is the extension of nuclear weapons arms race to the tinderbox of the Middle East where it is generally known that Israel has the weapons obviously as defence against being overrun by the hundreds of millions of Arabs who still do not recognise the right of existence of a Jewish state in the Arab Middle East .For quite some time the status quo seemed to have been the bedrock of some precarious stability in the Middle East because the Arabs were  technically far behind nuclear weapons capability; and secondly the Arabs seemed  more inclined to enjoy their petroleum-induced wealth rather than worry too much about the military imbalance in their region; thirdly, American and western influence  helped to moderate possible Arab radicalism. Egypt which remains the most important Arab country has remained in the western orbit since the death of Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser and the richest Arab country Saudi Arabia is more concerned with the stability of the monarchical regime of the kingdom than on foreign adventure, and in this regard it enjoys AMERICAN military, political and financial support.  Arab radicalism in Libya,  Iraq ,and to some extent in Syria has largely been neutralised following the so-called Arab spring uprisings and American intervention which have totally reduced those three countries to shells of their  former selves . The removal of Saddam Hussein paved the way for military superiority of Israel for a long time to come. In fact, the chaos within most of the Arab countries, even though not particularly welcome by the international community, has given the West and Israel opportunity to shape events in their own fashion.

    But the coming of non-Arab Persian Iran into the military and political equation has become a matter of serious concern in the West .This is not only in the West but also in the Arab world. Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 has decided to confront the USA and Israel in the Middle East. Iran is now a major player in Iraq where it is supporting the Shia government in Baghdad and ironically for its own reasons involved in joining the USA to fight the so-called Islamic caliphate in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS).. The agreement reached with Iran followed a previous agreement some six or seven months ago urging Iran not to continue  the enrichment of its nuclear fuel to weapons grade in exchange for easing of the UN imposed economic sanctions following the reluctance of Iran to permit unrestricted UN inspection of its nuclear facilities . Iran appeared to have complied with this agreement . The p5+1 then after grueling negotiation with Iran which will permit UN  unrestricted inspection of Iran’s nuclear facilities including its disposal of nuclear fuel to prevent its upgrade to weapons grade agreed to recommend to the UN the lifting of all sanctions incrementally according to the speed with which Iran complies with this internationally agreed protocol. This agreement to become binding will have to be approved by the Iranian parliament and the U.S. Congress. The other powers that negotiated the agreement seemed to have said implementation will follow the signing of the agreement by Iran and the USA . Iran stands to gain a lot in trading with the rest of the world once the sanctions are lifted .And in spite of the protestations of ayatollah  Khamenei  who still sees America as an enemy ,the  Iranian parliament will ratify the deal . It will then be left to what the American congress will do

    The agreement has been subjected to unrestrained campaign by the Republican Party and even some members of the Democratic Party in spite of their man in the White House .  The Jewish lobby is very powerful in the USA .This  is also a pre election year and the agreement has unfortunately become a victim of electioneering campaign  in America . All Republicans claim that the agreement will lead to the destruction of Israel and this emotional mantra has been aided by Binyamin Netanyahu the pugnacious prime minister of Israel who against all known international norm seems to enjoy being a player in domestic American politics by openly criticizing the American president Barack Obama . One can of course appreciate Netanyahu’s concern because for Israel it is a matter of life or death. This is why the American president said AMERICAN commitment to Israeli security is absolute and that no American president will negotiate away Israel’s security. In spite of this assurance Israel remains unconvinced. Of course there are voices within Israel that supports the agreement but Netanyahu feels Iran would receive so much money from the lifting of the UN sanctions against it that it will have money to destabilise the entire Middle East and threaten the state of Israel whose existence many in Iran are opposed to.

    President Obama has argued that if at any point Iran is found not to be complying with the agreement the UN would be called upon to reimpose the sanctions.

    Israel says Iran cannot be trusted in spite of public declaration  by the Iranian government and the grand Ayatollah  Khomeini that nuclear weapons are  unislamic  and that Iran is committed to peaceful use of nuclear knowledge  .The grand ayatollah had previously issued a fatwa against Iran’s development of nuclear weapons . It is simply an impossible situation. Israel has genuine fears and if it attacks Iran, the Islamic republic will retaliate and there is no certainty that America will go to war with Iran unless Iran first attacks Israel. This is the dilemma facing Israel and it is in the interest of both Israel and Iran to moderate their rhetoric while the USA and the rest of the international community seriously finds a solution to the Palestinian problem based on two sovereign and independent states  within secure borders ,one for Israel and the other for the Palestinians . This is the cause of the interminable problem in the Middle East .The other problem of Persians and Arabs ,Shia and Sunni Muslims living together will eventually be resolved within the overarching pan Islamic religious architecture . These two issues are going to be the main foreign policy issues in the area for foreseeable time to come and it will not be solved unilaterally by Israel or Iran and the Arab states and foreign powers as patrons of one group or the other.

  • Jonathan kicks against nuclear terrorism

    Jonathan kicks against nuclear terrorism

    * Backs nuclear energy for developmental purposes

    President Goodluck Jonathan Monday reaffirmed Nigeria’s full commitment to the global fight against the threat of nuclear terrorism.

    But that Nigeria, under his leadership, will continue to pursue efforts to harness nuclear energy and technology for socio-economic development.

    This was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, while speaking to the third global security summit at the Hague in the Netherlands.

    While Nigeria will continue to support all efforts against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, Jonathan said that the world must respect the right of countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for development purposes.

    He said: “As a developing country, Nigeria needs to harness nuclear technology for socio-economic development. It is for this reason we subscribe to the view that international and regional cooperation efforts should be based on the principle of maintaining a balance between nuclear non-proliferation obligations and the inalienable right of States to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy for development purposes.”

    “While this is important, we would also like to draw attention to the need to maintain the highest standards of nuclear safety and security in establishing peaceful nuclear facilities,” he added.

    Towards Nigeria’s commitment to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the peaceful use of nuclear technology, he said that the Federal Government has submitted an executive bill to the National Assembly to accommodate the country’s obligations under international treaties on nuclear safety and security.

    He went on: “Nigeria accords high priority to all global efforts towards ending the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including nuclear weapons.”

    “To this end, Nigeria has since the last Summit in Seoul, strengthened the legal framework for fighting terrorism through the adoption in 2013, of an amendment to its Terrorism (Prevention) Act, thus ensuring the implementation of more robust counter-terrorism measures in the country.”

    “Nigeria’s ratification of some international treaties and conventions in the realm of nuclear safety, security and safeguards has necessitated the review of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority Act resulting in the recent decision of the Government to submit a new Bill to Parliament for consideration and passage into law in order to accommodate our obligations under these instruments.”

    “The instruments include the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and its amended version of 2005, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The intention of the bill is to ensure the fulfillment of Nigeria’s international and national Nuclear Safety, Security, Safeguards and radiation protection obligations, by domesticating the international treaties. The bill is presently awaiting passage by the National Assembly.”

    “Furthermore, as part of the outcome of the 2nd Nuclear Security Summit held in Seoul, South Korea in 2010, States Parties were urged on voluntary basis, to embark on the process of converting their reactors from the use of Highly Enriched Uranium to Lowly Enriched Uranium.”

    “Consequently, Nigeria is working in collaboration with the United States of America and China for the conversion of Nigeria’s limited stock of Highly Enriched Uranium used in its research reactor to Lowly Enriched Uranium,” Jonathan said.

    According to him, one of the main objectives of the Nuclear Security Summit was to reduce the amount of dangerous nuclear materials in the world by preventing materials that can be used to produce nuclear weapons from falling into the hands of terrorists and unauthorized non-state actors.

    He said that Nigeria supports the immediate commencement and early conclusion of negotiations on a “non-discriminatory, multi-lateral and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons”.

    He commended the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon for establishing a Group of Governmental Experts which will begin work in Geneva next week on the proposal.

    He said: “Nigeria shares the view that fewer nuclear weapons translate into more nuclear security while at the same time reducing the risk of proliferation.”

    “But it is even more important that States as represented at this Summit demonstrate the necessary political will to embark on the path towards the ultimate goal of total and complete nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control,” Jonathan stated.

    He thanked the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Mark Rutte for hosting the summit and commended President Barack Obama who was present at the opening ceremony “for his continued leadership of this important project”

    Other world leaders participating in the summit include President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, the President of South Korea, Ms. Park Geun-hye and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon.