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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Nigeria, UK, 40 others sign pact to ban nuclear tests
FORTY-two countries, among which is Nigeria, last week endorsed the treaty banning comprehensive nuclear test which aims at ridding the world of the tools of mass destruction and reduce their testing world-wide.
Also in Abuja, Vice President Atiku Abubakar performed the foundation laying ceremony of the newly established National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), saying the development of science and technology remained the "surefooted route" to national development.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniyi signed on behalf of Nigeria at a ceremony at the United Nations building in New York.
Other countries that have signed the treaty are Algeria, South Africa and the United Kingdom whose Foreign Minister, Mr. Jack Straw signed on behalf of his country.
A joint statement by the ministers after the ceremony described the document as an "integral part of the 1995 agreements by all the countries which earlier endorsed the Nuclear Non-Proliferate Treaty (NPT)."
The statement highlighted the significance of the signing and urged the states that had not done so to make efforts, not only to endorse it, but also to ratify it.
The ministers also asked all countries to continue to maintain moratorium on nuclear explosions, adding that "voluntary adherence to such a moratorium is of the highest importance. We will also promote technical co-operation to enhance verification capabilities under the CTIBT".
The verification will bring scientific and civil benefits, through civil and scientific application of waveforms and radionuclide technologies and use of the data.
Meanwhile, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Monday performed the foundation laying ceremony of the newly established National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), saying science and technology is tool for development.
And at the founding laying ceremony Vice President Abubakar said the objective of the government policy on science and technology, was to "provide the road map for a rapid and sustainable socio-economic development" in the country.
The vice president, during a visit to the ground station of Nigerian Sat1 Project, observed that space development programme would improve the standard of living of the citizenry.
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