TEHRAN Nigerian Ambassador to Iran Alhaji Bukar Mele voiced optimism that his country's relations with Iran will improve in the years to come.
In an interview with the TEHRAN TIMES, Mele said, "The two countries have a lot to exchange in the areas of trade, politics and culture." The ambassador made the above comments on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his country's independence.
The following is the text of the interview with the Nigerian ambassador: TEHRAN TIMES: Mr. ambassador, Nigeria is 40 today; how do you feel about it? Ambassador: I am obviously in a ceremonious mood. My country, Nigeria, has come a long way. I seize the opportunity of this interview to congratulate all Nigerians, at home and abroad, and to wish them a happy celebration of the 40th independence anniversary of our beloved country.
TEHRAN TIMES: Until the last few months to be precise until mid-1998 Nigeria's image in the international community was badly dented.
What was responsible for the sudden reemergence of Nigeria and her upliftment to the threshold of international prominence? Ambassador: This, indeed, is a very important question.
Nigeria was until May 29, 1999 ruled by the military. However, in mid-1998 the then military head of state, General Sani Abacha, suddenly died and was succeeded by General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar, to whom the success of Nigeria's transition to civil democratic rule was attributed. General Abubakar successfully put in place a phased transition to civil rule program which was faithfully implemented and led to multiparty elections from the grass roots local level to the national level.
The elections culminated in the presidential level and subsequent swearing-in of President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999, following his victory at the polls. Nigeria now has 776 duly elected local government councils, 36 duly elected state legislatures and the same number of elected state chief executives, and an elected National Assembly, made up of senators and members of House of Representatives, as well as a duly elected president. There is good feeling that the restoration of democracy has now put Nigeria back into the world democratic map.
Nigeria, which suffered isolation and was accused of misrule and gross violation of human rights, now enjoys tremendous good will and is re-admitted into the comity of nations. This is a happy development for which all Nigerians should not only be happy, but be equally proud.
TEHRAN TIMES: A current issue indeed a rather thorny one in Nigerian politics is the Sharia legal system to which many states of Nigeria have subscribed to as their operating law. What is your comment about this development? Ambassador: Nigeria, as you may know, is a multiethnic and multireligious society and Nigerians have practiced their religions and lived together as a nation for the past 40 years.
We did encounter some problems. Nigerians, let me say, have enormous capacity to find solutions to their problems and I want to reassure you that a solution would be found to this problem in the not too-distant future. While we seek amicable solution to this issue, we appeal to all who mean well for Nigeria to support such moves and not to exploit it to hurt and divide the country.
TEHRAN TIMES: Nigeria, like the Islamic Republic of Iran, is an important member of the OPEC and, as you may be aware, there is a raging debate on the need for increase in oil production in order to curtail or lower rising prices of oil in the international market.
What is your country's stand on this important issue? Ambassador: Nigeria, as you are very well aware, is a full-fledged member of OPEC, an organization established for the purposes of safeguarding and protecting the overall interests of oil producers.
In this regard, Nigeria operates within the purview of the cartel and the issue raised now (for which individual member states and even nonmembers of the organization have aired different views) is a decision for the organization.
Of course, as ambassador of my country, my position should automatically be my country's views on the issue.
TEHRAN TIMES: Would you please comment about the current status of Nigeria-Iran relations? Ambassador: Bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Islamic Republic, which in themselves have been warm and cordial from the time diplomatic ties were established, have witnessed steady growth. Our two countries have cooperated with one another and shared common views on several international issues and extended mutual support of their candidatures at various international institutions.
Recently, the Islamic Republic of Iran was invited to join the G-15, a move Nigeria welcomed and hoped would lead to positive contributions of Iran to the realization of the overall objectives of the organization.
Again, as you are well aware, both Nigeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran are major oil producers and members of OPEC. As oil producers, our two countries share the common concerns, goals and interests of developing this important resource and its derivatives for the benefits of our peoples.
For many years, our two countries have acquired tremendous experience in the sector experience they ought to share. Happily, we have since signed a memorandum of understanding on petroleum-related matters. There is need now to work out an effective mechanism for the follow-up of the memorandum for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Then too, there are potentials for improving bilateral trade relations, which are now receiving maximum attention. I am happy to say that the two countries are actively working toward putting in place the institutional and legal framework for sustainable trade relations.
Both countries have the potentials for mutually beneficial trade to thrive.
I am equally happy to say that only few weeks ago a 27 delegation from one of the states in Nigeria (Jigawa State) visited Iran, during which the two sides held fruitful discussions in the agricultural sector. There are, of course, other areas such as the cultural area in which the two countries have had many exchanges.
TEHRAN TIMES: Ambassador, thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk to you.
Ambassador: It is my pleasure. Thank you, too.