President Jonathan's Interview With Yonhap News Agency

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has praised South Korea's effort to spearhead a global campaign for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, saying that the on-going Seoul Nuclear Security Summit is significant.

Jonathan. Who called on South Korean businesses to expand their investments in building Nigeria's infrastructure for the energy and telecommunication sectors said, "As the country that has technology to use the nuclear power in so many ways, it's (South Korea's) efforts to draw vision for the peaceful use of nuclear energy is good.

"Nigeria is a country with lots of natural resources. South Korea, on the other hand, is industrialized. So, if two countries commit together, they can really enhance. We need a lot of investment in pipeline investment. It is the area for (South) Korean companies."

In terms of a recent string of terrorist attacks that have shaken Africa's most populous nation, President Jonathan re-assured foreign investors of safety, saying "We have some parts of country we have terrorist attacks," the president said. "But it doesn't affect the whole country. We are in reasonable control."

Speaking on the significance and expectations of the second Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, Jonathan said the 'Summit in principle is not just science forum. It's purely administrative. So we are not going to (discuss) technology and missile. But essence of the summit is to discourage countries not to use nuclear weapons. Discourage them so they will never use. And make sure that the world is using peaceful use of the nuclear energy and not exploit them (for) attack (and) for destructions.

He further said that Nigeria is determined to accomplish the use of nuclear power in technology, agriculture, energy and transportations.

Jonathan hinted that that the bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak would help in facilitating South Korean investments in Nigeria, like Daewoo, which has operated in the country for 30 years as well as re-engineer other bilateral economic relations.

In terms of recent attacks by certain insurgent groups and issues of political stability which are important for foreign investors, President Jonathan 'Nigeria is a very, very green area for investors. Before this time, during the military rule, you don't know who isthe next president. When the new government come, there is a new policy and those policies are not attractive to investors. Basically from 1999 to date, we have established democratic government. I am the president during the transition. Before I took over, I was vice president. The President was very ill and people thought there would be militaristic intervention. Today, we conducted elections. Politically, we are stable. For investors, Nigeria has strong law and media. No president can just change law that can affect investors. Especially, we encourage investors.

'In terms of security challenges, we have some parts of country we have terrorist attacks. But it doesn't affect the whole country. We are in reasonable control. We have belief that in middle of this year. In terms of security of individual, we will have control in the middle of this year. (The danger) is limited to some part of the country. It doesn't extend to other parts of country. Other areas and public sector have been opened up. Agriculture producing raw material and (other) area sectors has been opened. Not just in private airlines but airports, terminal buildings in other sectors. Oil sector has been opened from the beginning. We have very few chemical companies. It's an area these companies can invest. Before, telecommunication was monopoly until 2002. Telecommunication has been opened up to other countries. More Korean companies can invest in all aspect.

President Jonathan however harped on the areas he needed the South Korean government to invest to include, power sector, adding that his administration's plan to borrow $7.9 billion for a pipeline project was to concentrate in pipeline investment.