In terms of nuclear co-operation, should Nigeria deal with Iran or USA?

http://www.nigeriamasterweb.com/paperfrmes.html

U.S. Warns Nigeria Over Nuclear Pact With Iran
By Chinedu Offor, Correspondent, Tampa, Florida

Effort by Nigeria to join the elite league of nuclear powered nations may suffer a setback as the United States of America (U.S.A)has warned Abuja not to accept advanced technology from it's mortal enemy Iran. The State Department said Tehran has failed to submit its programme to the jurisdiction of+the International Atomic Agency, a United Nations (UN)regulatory body because it wants to use the technology to develop nuclear weapons.

"Iran is not a friend of the U.S.; any nation doing business with it, especially on the nuclear front could not expect to be friends with us," a U.S. official told our correspondent.

Washington believes Iran intends to develop weapons that could be passed on to terrorist organisations, which could attack the country or it's allies. Washington also wonders if Nigeria has the capacity not only to safeguard nuclear plant, but to store cancer causing radioactive wastes.

"Nigeria does not have the experience and technology to manage these plants. The possibility of accidents and radioactive fallout is high," the official said.

Administration officials also worry that Nigeria could potentially be a source of nuclear weapons to terror groups if it develops the capacity to make nuclear bomb because of its poor security network and porous borders.

An Iranian trade delegation to Nigeria had announced on Thursday an agreement for Iran to share peaceful nuclear technology with Nigeria, to help Africa's biggest oil producer improve its electricity generation capacity.

Governments of both countries said that the agreement involves only the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

The UN Security Council is demanding that Iran halts uranium enrichment until it answers Western suspicions that it is trying to develop atomic weapons. Iran insists its programme is intended only to use nuclear reactors to generate electricity.

But Mohammad Ali Zeyghami, who led the Iranian delegation, said Iran has the right to share its nuclear know-how with Nigeria. He said oil and other fossil fuels will run out one day and it is crucial to develop other energy sources.

"Nobody can limit the use of knowledge anywhere in the world," Zeyghami said.

Details of the deal were not announced, so it was unclear what technology Iran would provide to Nigeria.

Tijanni Kaura, a senior Nigerian Foreign Ministry official, said the agreement deals only with peaceful nuclear technology and shouldn't be seen as an attempt by Africa's most populous nation to start an atomic weapons programme.

"Nigeria is never entering into any agreement with Iran for any matter that has to do with weapons," Kaura stressed.

"There shouldn't be a misunderstanding between exploration or uses of energy to provide power and the uses of energy for weapons , so that our relationship with Iran will not be misconstrued by Nigerians and the entire international community."

Large-scale corruption and poor infrastructure have resulted in woeful electricity generation in Nigeria. President Umaru Yar'Adua has said that improving power supply is one of his main priorities.

Even though USA is very powerful, Nigeria doesn't need to be a puppet to the west! If USA wants our oil, then they'll respect the fact that we want to develop new ways to produce energy! We are a sovereign nation, and America needs to stop sticking their noses into our affairs!

You think so?

America knows us quite well, they are well aware this is nothing but a muslim PR effort on the part of our braindead leaders. Its has nothing to do with our sudden zeal to solve the energy crisis if not we wouldnt let our gas waste while our gas turbines lie fallow.

davidylan:

America knows us quite well, they are well aware this is nothing but a muslim PR effort on the part of our braindead leaders. Its has nothing to do with our sudden zeal to solve the energy crisis if not we wouldnt let our gas waste while our gas turbines lie fallow.

Then why are they worrying themselves? They should leave us alone to deal with Iran.

The truth is that America is afraid that those useless statements she makes about Iran being "isolated" will come to naught!

not sure its a good idea to get into the middle of the Iran vs USA debacle regardless of what side you pander to

We can aquire Nuclear technology if it is so necessary from countries like China and Russia. But come to think of it is Nuclear technology a good idea in a country where health and safety is zero.

I believe if we are truly honest and serious about energy production we will produce enough energy as necessary from all sorts of less controversial means.

RichyBlacK:

Then why are they worrying themselves? They should leave us alone to deal with Iran.

The truth is that America is afraid that those useless statements she makes about Iran being "isolated" will come to naught!

an economically strained iran is not an ideal trade partner. i know u are a fan of anyone that stands up to the US but iran is starting to buckle due to the sanctions. this is a countries whose refineries are failing and we are actually looking at them for nuclear technology. of all choices. maybe ethiopia can help us with agriculture

Is not the same Iran that is still battling with constant power supply?

When are we going to define our priorities straight?

RichyBlacK:

Then why are they worrying themselves? They should leave us alone to deal with Iran.

There may be other sources confirming this report but the whole headline rests on this:"Iran is not a friend of the US.; any nation doing business with it, especially on the nuclear front could not expect to be friends with us," a US. official told our correspondent. I wouldn't put it beyond this media outlet to have totally invented this story.

the friend of my enemy is my enemy

Strategically, and at a national level, do we know the consequences of betting on the wrong horse?

what is our number one import from US . wheat.

which we can replace. they can go to hell.

naija is not a puppet state.

we have our oil and can sell to anyone we wish.

buffnaija:

what is our number one import from US . wheat.

which we can replace. they can go to hell.

naija is not a puppet state.

we have our oil and can sell to anyone we wish.

Are you sure?