Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Monday returned to Nigeria after a brief vacation in London, promising “robust legislative engagements” when the Senate resumes.
Mr Akpabio, who earlier led a Nigerian delegation to the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva from July 29 to 31, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 4a.m. He was received at the Presidential Wing by senators, aides and supporters.
Fielding questions from journalists, he defended Nigeria’s strong participation at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), saying it would deliver “more derivatives of democratic governance and effective collaboration with the other arms of government.”
At the 148th IPU Assembly in Geneva, the Senate President insisted that parliamentary diplomacy remained central to resolving global conflicts. “The Parliament in Nigeria has played a crucial role in curbing polarisation and ensuring peace through legislation,” he said.
Beyond lawmaking, he noted the parliament also “employs mediation to address conflicts between non-governmental organisations and the government, as well as disputes involving labour unions.”
Highlighting the achievements of the 10th National Assembly, Mr Akpabio told delegates: “It has become imperative for the world to recognise the power of the collective voice in shaping a better future for all.”
“We stand at a pivotal moment in history, an intersection where the choices we make and the words that we speak, have the potential to positively shape the future of a world in constant crisis,” he added.
NAN