Nigeria has pledged its support for Australia’s bid for the presidency of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), while calling for stronger bilateral cooperation between both countries in key sectors of the economy.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, gave the assurance in Abuja when he received the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Milton Dick, who visited Nigeria to seek support for his candidacy ahead of the October 9 election.
Akpabio said Nigeria recognised Dick’s experience within the IPU, including his service as Vice-President of the Asia-Pacific Group and leadership of several IPU delegations.
He said Nigeria considered the IPU an important platform for parliamentary dialogue, democratic development, peace and international cooperation.
“On IPU, which is the reason why you came, I have taken note of your candidature for the Presidency of the IPU and of your experience within the organisation,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President said Nigeria would also push for closer cooperation with Australia in mining, agriculture, education, renewable energy, technology, security and capacity building.
He said stronger legislative ties could help build a bridge between Africa and the Pacific, while urging Australian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.
“I want you to take the message back to the business community in Australia that Nigeria is awaiting their coming,” Akpabio said.
The Australian Speaker said he was advised to visit Nigeria after announcing his bid for the IPU presidency because of the country’s influence across Africa.
“When I decided to run for the Presidency of IPU, I was told that I have to come to Nigeria to understand Africa,” Dick said.
He described Nigeria as central to Africa and thanked the country for its contributions to democracy and the IPU.
The IPU is scheduled to elect its 32nd president on October 9 during its 153rd Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania. Dick is one of three candidates on the ballot, alongside Azerbaijan’s Sahiba Gafarova and Chile’s Rojo Edwards Silva.
The president of the IPU serves as the organisation’s political head, chairs its statutory meetings and represents it at major global events for a three-year term.
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