Parliament: Abbas Expresses Concern Over Absence Of Nigeria’s Mission In Iraq

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, is to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on the absence of Nigerian mission in Iraq.

The Speaker’s decision followed a concern raised by the Iraqi Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Anwer Saeed Aljabali during a courtesy call on the Speaker.

Speaker Abbas, who expressed surprise that Nigeria does not currently have a mission in Iraq where her citizens could be supported, said he would take up the matter with Ambassador Tuggar.

According to the Speaker, Iraq is an important country in the comity of nations, which was why efforts must be made to make the Nigerian mission in that country operational.

“I want to assure you that we will take this matter up. I will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to find ways of resolving the issues so that Nigerian Mission in Iraq will be open once again,” the Speaker said.

Speaker Abbas also informed the Iraqi Ambassador to Nigeria that the 10th House has established a Parliamentary Friendship Group that would relate with the Iraqi Parliament for better cooperation between the two countries.

“We are serious about parliamentary relations with parliaments around the world. That is why we created the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the Parliament of Iraq. The Chairman of the committee will meet you in due course.”

Earlier, Ambassador Aljabali, stressed the need for a parliamentary friendship committee between the two countries.

The Iraqi Ambassador said the Nigerian Mission in Baghdad has been closed for many years even after the Iraqi war.

He said Nigerians living in that country have to go to countries like Oman for diplomatic services and support.

While pleading with the Speaker to intervene on the matter, the Iraqi Ambassador noted that Baghdad currently houses over one hundred and forty missions.