Akpabio Seeks More Collaboration Between Nigeria, US For Capacity Building

By Abdul SULE (Abuja) and Ndifreke BASSEY (Calabar)

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has solicited for more collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in the area of capacity building for the legislators.

Speaking while playing host to a delegation led by the Charge D' Affaires for the US Embassy in Nigeria, David Greene, in Abuja yesterday, Akpabio said the 10th Senate would be looking forward to partner with with the US Congress and the Democratic Institute.

: "The 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be looking forward to much more and better collaboration than what happened in the past particularly when somebody who believes strongly in democracy is at the head.

He said: "I am a true democrat and I believe in American democracy. So, I look forward to collaborating with you. Please link us properly with your Congress and the Democratic Institute in the US for us to have proper training and re- training in order for us to build capacity for our legislators in general.

"Not just in the Senate, not just in the House of Representatives but across the nation. So I welcome you and I thank you for sparing the time and I assure you.

"On behalf of my colleagues, we would do everything to intensify and bond seriously the existing good relationship between Nigeria and the US."

Describing the US as bastion of democracy in the world, the Senate President said: "Every true democrat believes strongly in the American democracy.

"We also took our model from you. So, we will like to gain from your wealth of experience in order to smoothen the edges of very young democracy.

"For American democracy to get to where it is today, I think, it must have taken you over 240 years. So for us, we believe strongly that this fourth Republic has taken us just roughly under 25years.

"We need partners like you and America particularly has done very well for all democracies across the world," he stated.

Speaking earlier, Charge D' Affaires for the US Embassy in Nigeria, David Greene, said: "The courtesy visit was to congratulate Akpabio on his election and on his emergence as the Senate President.

"I am also here to introduce myself and express my aspirations to work together to achieve great things for both Nigerians and the American people."