The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas PhD has said that Nigeria is getting safer, ready for foreign investments and exploration of her rich heritage.
The Speaker stated this on Tuesday when he received in his office at the National Assembly, a delegation from Anhui Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee in China, led by its Vice Chairman, Mr Tao Ming Lun who paid him a courtesy visit.
Receiving the delegation on his behalf, the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu noted the mutually beneficial diplomatic relationship between the governments of China and Nigeria.
He also noted that the parliament recognizes the significance of fostering diplomatic relations to contribute to the progress of our respective societies and the promotion of global peace and prosperity.
The Deputy Speaker said, “I bring you warm compliments from the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives and I am honoured to welcome you to our esteemed delegation from the Anhui Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee in China.
This visit confirms the strong and enduring friendship between our two nations. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with our distinguished guests from Anhui.
Through open and sincere communication, we can identify areas of common interest and explore collaboration in various fields, including trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange.
Our countries share a rich history and cultural heritage, and this visit presents a unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of each other’s traditions and values.
“Furthermore, I believe that this visit will serve as a platform for forging lasting partnerships and fostering people-to-people connections between our countries. You talked about your tourism strength and invited me to come to China, alongside members of the parliament, I will be there, but you have to promise that you will come to Nigeria over and over again, we have a tourism side which we will expose you to for you to know our rich heritage. Nigeria is getting safer than before and you will be free to move around to see our rich heritage.”
Speaking further, Kalu sought collaboration with China on agricultural technology to improve agriculture and end food insecurity.
According to him, agriculture is very important to this current administration, in line with the renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which one of the pillars is food security.
Encouraging the delegation to be interested in this agricultural technology exchange, the Deputy Speaker added that by working together, both nations can address shared challenges and create new opportunities for growth and development.
“Your province’s strength in agriculture, producing 15 tons from a hectare is a big agricultural technological strength you have achieved. And these are the kinds of things we want to achieve with our arable lands in Nigeria, leveraging such technology that has helped you in China. We will encourage you to be interested in this agricultural technology exchange because one of your weaknesses is that you don’t have land, and our strength is that we have land. So that relationship will be able to bring prosperity, to your province and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is the dream of this government which we are supporting from the legislative arm, to reduce the unemployment rate in our country. To be able to achieve that industrialization is key. We have seen what you’re doing in the automobile industry, and your strength in technology in that field, so strategic partnership with our country will be very resourceful in reducing unemployment in our country,” Kalu said
Earlier, the leader of the delegation Mr Lun told the Deputy Speaker that they seek to deepen cooperation between the two countries, bring the relationship closer and expand the cooperation.