Iran, Nigeria have capacities for developing cooperation – Amb. Zarchi

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran to Nigeria, Ambassador Morteza Rahimi Zarchi said that Federal Republic of Nigeria and Islamic Republic of Iran have capacities for developing cooperation for mutual benefit.

 Ambassador Zarchi delvering his speech at the event

Ambassador Zarchi who made this known at the weekend during the celebration of Iran’s National Day in Abuja noted that Iranian government and nation seek peace, security and progress for the Nigerian government and nation, in the light of independence, democracy and free elections.

“The two countries, located in West Asia and West Africa, have great capacities for developing cooperation.

“The Iranian government and nation seek peace, security and progress for the Nigerian government and nation, in the light of independence, democracy and free elections”.

Zarchi reminded that the historic meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 in Tehran indicated the determination of the two countries to boost their relations.

Ambassador Morteza Rahimi Zarchi (5^th Left) with other dignitaries during the event

 

“The historic meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 in Tehran indicated the determination of the two countries to boost their relations”.

According Zarchi, “I would like to welcome you to the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran and our country’s national day. On this great occasion, I would like to speak with numbers.

“More than 55 years ago, Imam Khomeini was arrested for opposing the capitulation law and was sent into exile to Turkey and Iraq for 14 years. After being expelled from Iraq, he was a guest of the French government and nation in Neauphle-le-Château for 118 days.

“Imam Khomeini’s flight from Paris to Tehran was made on February 1, 1979.

“More than four million people welcomed Imam Khomeini in Tehran, forming a 36-kilometre queue. Ten days later, on February 11, 1979, the Iranian nation celebrated its great victory.

“The Iranian nation’s demand and slogan was freedom, independence, justice and progress. To satisfy those demands, the nation has made great efforts, suffered big losses, and obtained great achievements.

“Iran, with its 7000-year-old history, has played a big part in the mankind’s progress.

“In the past forty years, the Iranian nation, led by Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has managed to counter all threats, sanctions, wars and terrors and to move forward.

“Today, Iran is on the front line of the battle against terrorist groups such as Daesh. Today, Iran seeks peace, progress, prosperity and justice for all nations. Today, Iran is a guarantor of peace and stability in the region. Today, Iran is a fan of dialogue and political solutions for differences inside and among countries in the region. Today, Iran is against unilateralism and wants all parties to bilateral and multilateral treaties to respect them.

“Today, Iran has managed to achieve an ideal position in many fields. Let’s make a few examples: Iran ranks fifth globally in the number of graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“From 1976 to 2014, Iran has held the top rank in development of adult literacy across the globe.

“The literacy rate among those older than 15 was only 37% in 1979. In 2014, the rate was increased to 85%, which means the growth rate in Iran was almost three times more than the global growth rate.

“In 1979, life expectancy at birth in Iran was 55 years. In 2016, the figure was 76 Years. Iran ranks tenth globally in the life expectancy growth in this period.

“Iran is currently the 22nd country in the world in producing cereals, and it was the fifth country in the world in production of cereals in 1990-2010 period.

“Iran holds the 13th rank among natural gas exporters, the second rank in natural gas reserves, and the third rank in natural gas production. Iran ranks 17th in electrical power production and 22^nd in electrical power export.Today, Iran seeks to develop relations with Nigeria, a big and important country, with an eye on the future” he concluded.