Vice Presidnet, Namadi Sambo has stated Nigeria was committing to nuclear science enabling the country undertake rapid socio-economic development.

The Vice President stated this while hosting the visiting Deputy Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mr. Kweku Aning in Abuja.

Sambo noted that the importance of Nuclear energy could not be overemphasized as Nigeria was developing her nuclear science.

He said that with a vast population, there was the need to develop the country’s nuclear science to optimal utilization for, growth and development in all sectors of the economy.

Earlier, Mr. Kweku Aning took the time to elaborate on the areas of cooperation between IAEA and the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission. Having stressed the importance of the nuclear technology in saving life and supporting credible performance in all sectors, he added that they were in cooperation with Nigeria in the Health sector as most people believed that HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis were the greatest health challenges in developing countries but that cancer being a complicated disease is expensive to diagnose and claims about 4.8 million people annually compared to HIV/AIDS 2.1million, malaria 700,000 and tuberculosis 900,000.

 He noted the normal standard for the diagnostic facility is one for 500,000 people and that everyone involved in this specialized technology; the doctors, nurses and other support staff must be specially trained.

 Other areas he elaborated on were areas of cooperation including food and agriculture, which technology could develop species that were resistant to certain pests, the use of radiation to extend or preserve the lifespan of food products.

 On nuclear power, he noted that Nigeria had energy deficit which needed to be filled and that they were working with his colleagues in the Atomic Energy Commission to provide the enabling environment for ensuring protection and emergencies.

He added that they were working together on technology that could determine the magnitude of water resources on the ground weather it is fossil or replenished water.