Boko Haram: Tambuwal Wants British Cooperation

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, HON. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL

ABUJA, February 02, (THEWILL) - Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal today called on the British government to lend assistance to Nigeria in tackling the ongoing security challenges in the country.

Tambuwal who made the call while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Lloyd and the visiting permanent secretary, Department for International Development (DFID), Mark Lowcock in his office, also appealed for understanding from Nigeria’s friends and neighbours on the situation in the country.

According to Tambuwal, “we are in interesting times in Nigeria. And I will like to use this opportunity to call on our friends to understand our situation. They should understand our situation because the phenomenon we are facing in Nigeria in terms of security challenge is not only peculiar to Nigeria as a country. It is becoming a global phenomenon.

“So while you are making efforts in ensuring that you address the phenomenon in your own home country, also consider your brothers who are probably far away from you in terms of geographical expression but very close to you in terms of relationships.

“And please factor our interests in ensuring that we attain global peace because without peace there cannot be any meaningful development. It is on this note that I welcome you and I wish you a very pleasant stay in Nigeria.”

According to the Speaker, “our relationship with the British government is a long standing one and we value that relationship so much. We have received multiples of support from agencies of your government particularly the DFID. And we have been collaborating with the DFID and we have developed our legislative agenda with the support of the DFID.

“So you can see how deep the relationship between the House and indeed your government is. This collaborative effort is towards ensuring that we are not only on the right track but to get the goals and the objectives that we have set for ourselves. We have been benefitting quite enormously from that relationship and we look forward to even a better relationship between us as a parliament and your organisation and indeed the British High Commission.”

Earlier, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria told the Speaker that Britain and Nigeria had been ‘great friends’ and the relationship still persist encouraging Nigeria to continue to cooperate with them.

In his remarks, the DFID’s permanent secretary, Mark Lowcock said the British government recognised the “crucial” importance of the legislature in a democracy. He said he was impressed with the way the leadership of the House has been addressing some of the issues especially those relating to women, children and human rights.”