The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, assured the international community on Tuesday that Nigeria is getting safer and ready for foreign investments and exploration of her rich heritage.
The Speaker gave the assurance at the National Assembly while addressing a delegation from the Anhui Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee in China, led by its Vice Chairman, Mr. Tao Ming Lun.
Hon. Abbas, who spoke through his deputy, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, noted the mutually beneficial diplomatic relationship between the governments of China and Nigeria.
He also noted that the Parliament recognises the significance of fostering diplomatic relations to contribute to the progress of our respective societies and the promotion of global peace and prosperity.
He 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 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 that we will expose you to so you can learn about our rich heritage.
“Nigeria is getting safer than before, and you will be free to move around to see our rich heritage.”
Speaking further, the Speaker 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, of which one of the pillars is food security.
Encouraging the delegation to be interested in this agricultural technology exchange, the 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 tonnes 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 the 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 a strategic partnership with our country will be very resourceful in reducing unemployment in our country.”
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.
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