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The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday held talks with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard M. Mills Jr., on strengthening bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States.
The discussion took place when the US envoy paid a courtesy visit to Senator Akpabio at the National Assembly in Abuja. Both parties expressed a shared commitment to deepening diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the President of the Senate, Mr. Anietie Ekong, Akpabio said Nigeria and the United States shared common democratic values, noting that Nigeria’s democratic system was modelled after that of the United States.
“These are very difficult times, but I am happy my distinguished colleagues are here and that we are having this engagement,” Akpabio was quoted as saying. “This is a visit we have been looking forward to, and we had even proposed visiting you to have an overview of the current situation between our two countries.”
He thanked Ambassador Mills for hosting him during the 249th Independence Anniversary of the United States, congratulating the country on its long democratic history.
“That means you have practised democracy for 249 years. We can’t say we have done the same in Nigeria,” he said.
Akpabio further noted that collaboration between both countries had remained strong, adding that Nigeria’s system of government was patterned after that of the United States.
“One thing I do know is that America has remained prosperous and has assisted many countries of the world because of the strong belief that: ‘In God we trust,’” he said.
“In Nigeria, despite our religious and ethnic diversities, we also believe that God is the greatest. So, we share something in common. You are welcome to the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In his remarks, Ambassador Mills said his visit was aimed at engaging with the leadership of the Nigerian Senate on US–Nigeria relations and exploring ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations.
He said the United States Mission would also examine how it could advance shared goals with Nigeria, while gaining insight into the legislative agenda of the Senate in the coming year.
It’s difficult time, but I’m happy we are talking – Akpabio tells US envoy
