Akpabio Receives Australian Speaker, Assures of Advocacy for IPU Presidency<\/p>\n
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has assured the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick, that he will advocate for his candidature for the Presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) before the African Group.<\/p>\n
Akpabio gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja when Hon. Dick visited to solicit Nigeria’s support ahead of next month’s IPU presidential election.<\/p>\n
The Senate President acknowledged Dick’s experience and contributions to the IPU, including his service as Vice President of the Asia-Pacific Group and leadership of several IPU delegations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn IPU, which is the reason why you came, I have taken note of your candidature and of your experience within the organisation,\u201d Akpabio said, noting that the materials presented demonstrated commitment to impartiality, inclusion and parliamentary diplomacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI must say that with you as President of IPU, IPU can only wax stronger, IPU can only improve,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Akpabio said it was important to complement the female Secretary-General of the IPU with a President committed to parliamentary diplomacy and international cooperation.<\/p>\n
He explained that the African Group within the IPU is yet to take a collective position and is scheduled to meet soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not saying that the African Group in IPU will not have divergent views. We are yet to meet. I will be there to make sure that your candidature is accepted. I assure you their decision will be in your favour,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Senate President described the IPU as a vital platform for parliamentary dialogue, democratic development, peace and international cooperation, and sought Dick’s vision for strengthening the voice of Africa, the Pacific and developing countries.<\/p>\n
He also called for stronger bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and Australia in mining, agriculture, education, renewable energy, technology, security and capacity building, and urged Australian investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have businessmen in Australia looking for areas to invest in, this is one country, Nigeria, that no matter what you invest in, the population is there, the market is available and you will make quantum profits,\u201d Akpabio said.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Hon. Dick thanked the Nigerian Parliament for the reception and acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I decided to run for the Presidency of IPU, I was told that I have to come to Nigeria to understand Africa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNigeria is the heart of Africa and your leadership is well known throughout the continent. On behalf of the people of Australia, we thank you for what you have done for democracy and for the IPU,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He pledged to sustain the friendship regardless of the election outcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for honouring me by being with you today. If I’m elected or if I’m not elected, you have a brand new friend in Australia,\u201d Dick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you think of Africa, think Nigeria; if you want to go to Africa, first go to Nigeria,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of both countries to parliamentary diplomacy and mutually beneficial relations. A dinner was later held in honour of the visiting Speaker at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.<\/p>\n
This was contained in a statement signed by EmemMaria Ntedodom Offiong, Deputy Director, Information, Office of the Senate President.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Akpabio Receives Australian Speaker, Assures of Advocacy for IPU Presidency The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has assured the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Hon. Milton Dick, that he will advocate for his candidature for the Presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) before the African Group. Akpabio gave the assurance on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[3548,3549,3550,1088],"class_list":["post-152568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-others","tag-australian-house-of-representatives","tag-hon-milton-dick","tag-inter-parliamentary-union","tag-senator-godswill-akpabio"],"yoast_head":"\n