Presidential Research & Communications Unit

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has expressed Nigeria’s interest in the development of renewable energy sources in the country.

The President was speaking to the new Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Mr. Stig Barlyng, who presented his letters of credence at State House Abuja on Thursday April 30.

“We are interested in the development of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and we are ready to cooperate with your country in this and other bilateral issues”, he stated.

President Yar’Adua assured the new Ambassador that Nigeria was concerned at the rising levels of carbon emissions leading to climate change, stating that, “though we are not one of the nations responsible for the emissions, we are prepared to be a part of the effort to arrest its effects on the planet”.

He also spoke of Nigeria’s interest in the reform of the United Nations, in line with current global realities.

Earlier, Mr. Stig Barlyng had expressed Denmark’s “strong positive attitude to Nigeria because of her leadership role in peace keeping in areas of conflict all over the world, influence in the African Union and the efforts to entrench democracy”.

He said his country looked forward to Nigeria’s participation and support in the forthcoming conference on climate change in Copenhagen, and assured President Yar’Adua of Denmark’s support for efforts to democratise the United Nations.

During a separate audience, President Yar’Adua told the new High Commissioner of Malaysia to Nigeria, Mr. Nik Mustapha Kamal Bin Ahmad, that Nigeria looked forward to building on the already excellent and mutually beneficial relations between the two Commonwealth nations during his tenure.

The Malaysian High Commissioner assured the President that his country was ready to share its experience with Nigeria, and learn from her as well.