Vice-President Kashim Shettima has restated Nigeria’s firm commitment to the global ban on nuclear tests, saying the country has no intention of venturing into nuclear weapons development.
Shettima made the declaration on Monday during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Dr. Robert Floyd, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said Nigeria and other African countries are more focused on tackling poverty and climate change than on acquiring nuclear weapons.
“We have no business dabbling in anything that has to do with nuclear weapons,” Shettima said. “We are fighting poverty and addressing the link between the economy and the environment in sub-Saharan Africa.”
The Vice President praised the CTBTO for its monitoring work, which includes 337 detection stations worldwide.
He noted that the body successfully tracked all seven nuclear tests conducted by North Korea.
Shettima also highlighted how the organisation’s monitoring system helps with early warnings for natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes.
In his remarks, Dr. Floyd commended Nigeria’s contributions to the CTBTO through the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA). He said Nigeria has played a key role in pushing for international cooperation and safety in nuclear matters.
The Acting Chairman of NAEC, Anthony Ekedegwa, and the Director-General of NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris, both reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the treaty and acknowledged CTBTO’s support in building local capacity.
Nigeria ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty in 2001 and remains one of the leading voices from Africa advocating for a world without nuclear weapons.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
