The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Abbas Tajudeen, has called on the German government, through the German Bundestag (Parliament) to support Nigeria in its quest to achieve adequate security, energy sufficiency, agriculture and gender inclusivity.
The Speaker made the call when he hosted some members of the German Bundestag accompanied by the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Annett Gunther in Abuja.
He said the listed areas are among the focal areas of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as well as the 10th House’s legislative agenda.
The Speaker, who was responding to questions as to what areas of needs he would want members of the German Parliament to elicit support from their government for Nigeria, stated that security is one very key area that requires the “support of our friends.”
He said insecurity in the country has taken much resources and governance time, with its multifaceted implications on infrastructure and food security.
He said energy is another area of concern to ensure that Nigeria achieves economic stability through industrialization and physical development.
He said that this is the area Nigeria could collaborate with Germany to achieve given the latter’s vast experience in energy development and utilization.
The Speaker said though Nigeria had witnessed slow pace in energy sufficiency in the past, the current administration was working round the clock to change the situation with the introduction of various reforms in the sector
Speaker Abbas called on Germany to support Nigeria with it’s technical expertise in its bid to achieve stable electricity supply.
Gender inclusivity
The Speaker also called on Germany to help initiatives aimed at sensitizing the Nigerian public to support gender related legislations in the ongoing alteration of Nigeria’s constitution.
The Speaker said it is only by so doing that members of the State Houses of Assembly whose 2/3rd majority votes are required to pass the alterations would support such bills.
Speaker Abbas thanked the German parliamentarians for the visit and informed them that the House has created a parliamentary friendship group with Germany to improve legislative ties.
Strengthening economic ties
The delegation led by Mr. Stephen Roundholf had earlier informed the Speaker that the visit was important because Nigeria is not just the largest country in Africa in terms of population, but the largest economy on the continent.
According to him, Germany also being the largest economy in Europe, shares common characteristics with Nigeria, noting that the relationship between the two countries needed to be strengthened.
He noted that parliamentarians from both countries need to relate more given their central role in domesticating governmental agreements, which would improve their political and economic ties.
He expressed happiness about the journey to Nigeria which he said was made possible by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) foundation with the support of the German Embassy in Nigeria.
Furthermore, he used the opportunity to invite the Speaker and members of the House to visit Germany to improve communication and share parliamentary experiences.
Marija Peran, the Country Representative of KAS, whose foundation has been partnering with the Speaker’s Office on the implementation of the 10th House Legislative Agenda, informed the delegation that Speaker Abbas is indeed committed to making the 10th Assembly the People’s House as captured in the Legislative Agenda.
Emmanuel Ukoh
