President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has harped on the need for legislative exchange programs between the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria.

Akpabio made the call on Thursday, while receiving in courtesy, the Ambassador of Ireland, Peter Ryan, and his entourage in his office in Abuja.

The Chairman of the National Assembly, while receiving the Irish Envoy and his team, relieved the robust relationship he had had with a former Irish Ambassador when he was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007-2015.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Jackson Udom, quoted the number one lawmaker as saying: “Let me on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria welcome you and your team here. I congratulate you also for the peace in Ireland.

“We have a lot to learn and gain from Ireland because we operate the same bicameral legislature. It would be good we work together for the mutual benefit of the two countries. We can learn a lot through exchange of parliamentary ideas and programs in order to build capacity for our lawmakers.”

According to Akpabio, “We also need a lot of assistance from Ireland in the area of funding. The President Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is doing a lot in the area of security, but we still need international support. It would be a pleasant thing if we work together in the area of lawmaking, bills drafting and oversighting. I believe by the time we are 50 years in democracy, other nations will also come to learn from us.”

Earlier in his speech, Ambassador Ryan said that the Irish government at home is very fortunate to have very wonderful Nigerians resident in Ireland, who are contributing their quota to the development of the two countries, saying: “It is because of this wonderful relationship that we are here today and to assure you that we are ready to cooperate and support the leadership of this country in any area possible.”

He promised to collaborate with Nigeria in the area of human capital development, saying: “There is great value in uniting and working together as democracies. Nigerians resident in Ireland are law abiding people and contributing their best to the development of Ireland. They have left us with educational legacies.

“I am delighted to be here, to pay respect as your tenure commences as the President of the Nigerian Senate. You have ahead of you, some of the challenges facing Nigeria, but with your track records, you will give it all it takes to surmount them. I look forward to working together with you,” he declared.

•Senate President Akpabio hosting Ambassador of Ireland, Peter Ryan, and his entourage . . . Thursday in Abuja

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