Reps Move To Improve Diplomatic Relation With Turkey

The House of Representatives has expressed its determination to strengthen diplomatic ties with Turkey.

The Chairman of the Nigeria-turkey Parliamentary Friendship Group, Hon Joshua Gana, gave the indication during inaugural meeting of the committee, in Abuja.

He said that the setting up of the committee by the speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas was a clear indication that the House holds Turkey in high esteem.

” You would recall that the Committee was not a full-fledged committee in the 9th assembly, but has now been upgraded to a full-fledged Committee. By this more responsibilities has been placed on us. Our mandate is to expand Nigeria’s legislative relationship with Turkey through exchange of visits, workshops, seminars, other channels of communication and engagement, exchange of parliamentary programmes, practices and procedures to deepen Nigeria’s legislative democracy, democratic culture and good governance. This will further enhance the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Turkey”. Hon Gana said.

He noted that in the intervening period the creation of the Committee and the meeting, the committee has hit the ground running.

” Both parliaments have exchanged the list of their membership of the friendship group and we have proposed a courtesy visit to the embassy of Turkey”, he said.

Hon Gana also pointed out that the committee needed to be innovative and forward thinking to draw every potential benefit that is available in its relationship with Turkey as Country.

He aldo urged members of the committee to cone up with viable ideas that would move the activities of the committee forward.

The Chairman congratulated members of the committee and prayed for wisdom in carrying out their assigned task.

” I thank the Almighty God for preferring us to carry out the assignment and I thank Him in advance for empowering us to accomplish the task. I also appreciate the Leadership of the House, Headed by the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Hon. Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, for giving us this opportunity to serve. I congratulate every one of us for the mandate given to each and every one of us by our various constituents. I pray that God will give us the wisdom to serve them and our great country, Nigeria well”. he added.

While commending the committee chairman and pledging their support, Hon. Etanabene Benedict and

Hon. Rabiu Garba Kamba,gave suggestions on how the Nigeria-turkey Parliamentary Friendship Group could benefit Nigerians.