President of di Senate, Godswill Akpabio, don call for stronger parliamentary cooperation between Nigeria and Australia. E talk say closer ties between di two legislatures go deepen bilateral relations and give greater continuity in engagements between both countries.
Akpabio make di call when e receive Speaker of di Australian House of Representatives, Milton Dick, wey pay courtesy visit to di Nigerian Senate for Abuja.
Di senate president talk say Nigeria and Australia, despite dia geographical distance, share several institutional and democratic similarities wey fit provide solid foundation for expanded cooperation.
According to am, both countries na Commonwealth nations, federal democracies with bicameral legislatures, and multicultural populations, and dem still get plenty natural resources.
Akpabio talk say di common features give opportunities for both countries to learn from each other and strengthen relations beyond traditional government-to-government engagements.
He talk say di next frontier in Nigeria-Australia relations suppose be parliamentary diplomacy, stressing say relations between nations no suppose dey left entirely to governments and diplomats.
He talk, ‘Parliaments represent di people, and stronger Parliament-to-Parliament relations fit give bilateral relations greater continuity and depth.’
Di senate president commend di Australian initiative to establish di Australia-Nigeria Parliamentary Friendship Group, urging both countries to build on di initiative through regular legislative exchanges and institutional engagements.
He propose exchanges among legislators and parliamentary staff, cooperation between committees, and regular dialogue between di presiding officers of both legislatures.
Akpabio describe Dick visit as opportunity to renew di longstanding friendship between Nigeria and Australia.
He recall say Australia diplomatic mission in Nigeria start for September 1960, shortly before Nigeria attain independence.
He therefore welcome Dick to Nigeria and express confidence say him visit go further strengthen relations between di two countries.
Earlier, di visiting Australian speaker talk say when e decide to run for di presidency of IPU, dem tell am say e must come Nigeria to understand Africa.
Dick talk, ‘I know say Nigeria na di heart of Africa and your leadership well known throughout di continent.’
‘On behalf of di people of Australia, we thank you for wetin you don do for democracy and we thank you for wetin you don do for di IPU.’
‘Mr President, thank you to be honoured for being with you today. I thank you for allowing me to earn your support and I promise you if I’m elected or if I’m not elected, you get brand new friend in Australia.’
