The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has commended the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, for her selfless service.
He also appreciated Ms Laing’s collaborative efforts with the Nigerian Parliament during her 5-year assignment.
Gbajabiamila gave the commendation when he received Ms Laing and her team during a farewell visit to his office at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Speaker described the visit as bittersweet.
He said, “it was sweet to have her around and bitter that she was leaving Nigeria.”
Gbajabiamila said that he had enjoyed working with the outgoing UK High Commissioner.
“It’s been a very enriching time for me. Your time here and your passion were evident in many of our discussions. My hope and my prayer are that whoever succeeds you will carry on in that same trajectory in building and fostering an even more sustainable relationship between our two countries.
“We will miss you. Nigeria will miss you, our parliament will miss you and our various engagements. Whatever you do moving forward, I wish you God’s speed and I wish you well,” Gbajabiamila said.
He commended the outgoing High Commissioner for showing interest in Nigeria.
Ms Catriona Laing said that being in Nigeria has been a wonderful experience.
She said; “I have had some highs, many highs, a few lows but in all, it has been a wonderful experience. And a special foundation of that has been a really good working relationship with Mr Speaker and his team. We worked together on several important electoral bills, It’s been a great pleasure working with him.”
Ms Laing said that it was a privilege to support the mentorship initiative of the speaker.
She also commended the Speaker on his women empowerment programme.
MMsLaing added that she would be willing to work with the Speaker in another capacity to depend on relationships.
The outgoing Commissioner also congratulated the All Progressives Congress on its victory at the just concluded elections in Nigeria.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
