The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged for the strengthening of Nigeria-Japan cooperation.
Mr Gbajabiamila told the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, that the House of Representatives wanted to continue the strong cooperation with the Japanese Parliament.
He also noted that the 61 years of friendship had benefited both nations in many sectors of the economy, including technology and education.
“With our 61st years of relationships, to me, it’s a rebirth of a new phase. Japan and Nigeria have longstanding ties, 61 years and counting as we lean on each other in many areas of the economy, technology and many others,” he said.
Despite the inability to follow up on several topics owing to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the speaker remembers his official visit to Japan two years ago as one with significant milestone successes.
“Japan is a major player and we are a growing democracy and we will be working with you in so many areas and through our Parliamentary Diplomacy, we intend to take it to another level in a way it will benefit Nigeria and whoever we are in a parliamentary diplomatic relationship with,” Gbajabiamila added.
Ambassador Kazuyoshi had previously informed the speaker that Japan was committed to deepening its 61-year-old bilateral relationship with Nigeria.
Despite the effects of the coronavirus crisis, he said, Japan was able to use information and communication technology (ICT) to expand its economic and commercial interests in Nigeria.
