18 November 2021
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called
for the deepening of the existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and Japan.
Gbajabiamila’s call was contained in a statement by his special adviser on
media and publicity, Lanre Lasisi on Wednesday.
Receiving the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, during
a courtesy visit to his office on Wednesday, the Speaker noted that the House of
Representatives were also desirous of sustaining the existing robust
parliamentary engagements with the Japanese Parliament.
Noting that both countries had greatly benefitted from their 61 years of friendship
in several areas of the economy, including technology, education, Gbajabiamila
recalled his official visit to Japan two years ago, which he said was one with
several landmark accomplishments, notwithstanding the inability to follow up on
some issues due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Earlier, Ambassador Kazuyoshi assured the Speaker that Japan was
determined to deepen the 61 years of bilateral relations with Nigeria.
He noted that despite the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, Japan
was able to deploy Information and Communications Technology, ICT, to boost
its economic and commercial activities in Nigeria.
In another development, the House of Representatives has cautioned against
unwarranted assaults of judicial officers following the siege on the residence of a
Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Onofiok
Luke, issued the warning during the 2022 budget defence of the National Judicial
Council, NJC, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The chairman further reiterated their stance on creating an enabling environment,
which he added should not be only a good working environment, but a secured
one for all to operate without hindrance, or any fear of intimidation or
harassment.
The committee however, called for more protection for judicial officers.
Meanwhile, the committee also stressed the need for an intervention fund to be
created for the judiciary to upgrade in line with international standards.
Chidozie Chima | August 29, 2024
