By BASHIR ADEFAKA
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has assured the Iranian Vice President of the readiness of Nigeria to strengthen existing relations with the Islamic Republic.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, made this known in a statement he issued in Doha, Qatar capital and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Monday.
According to the statement, President Buhari gave the diplomatic assurance during a courtesy call on him by the Iranian Vice President, Mohsen Mansouri, on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit taking place in Doha, the capital city of the State of Qatar.
He said, “I have interacted with Iranians over many years especially when I was the Petroleum Minister and understand the country and its people.
“I therefore welcome the strengthening of relations between our countries, as we have complementarities, especially in energy production.”
President Buhari also told his guest about the recent election in Nigeria and the fact that a new President would be taking over in less than three months. He hoped that the strong relations he had built between the two countries will continue to endure in the new administration.
The Iranian Vice President said he was glad to meet with the Nigerian leader, understanding fully that the two nations with their rich human and natural resources and the attendant wealth accrued need to cooperate in other areas such as Agriculture.
With Iran currently facing international sanctions over nuclear and other issues, Mr. Mansouri stressed that as leaders in their respective regions, it was important for the two countries to push for multilateralism to be the order of the day and avoid a unipolar world, adding that the way forward is to set up and strengthen a joint commission between the two countries at the highest levels.
