Early last week, the member representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the 9th National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dr. Henry Archibong, returned from a diplomatic trip to Japan. It was a 5-day capacity building programme on “Interparliamentary Diplomacy” aimed at fostering relationship between the powerful Nigerian National Assembly and the Japanese Parliament.
Dr. Archibong had embarked on the journey in the company of few lawmakers and the delegation was led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. They were received by the Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Gana Yisa.
While the intent of this piece is not to dwell on the fact that the Speaker and number four citizen in the country has shown great confidence and trust in the intellectual prowess and technocratic acumen of the quintessential Henry Archibong, especially in recent times, it is without a doubt that such a meeting is strategically important in ensuring growing cordial and diplomatic relationship between the two countries and the Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency representative was at the heart of the mission.
The immediate impact that could be drawn from the meeting is that both countries could benefit from making favourable laws, aimed at encouraging economic, scientific and technological co-operation between Nigeria and Japan. It is also a fantastic and strategic effort that could enhance the influence and relationship of Nigeria in the Asian continent (afterall, the Asian Tigers are no doubt, a giant of the Asian territory).
Such ties by the lawmaking arms, is a deliberate effort that has the potential of ensuring subsequent enactment of favourable laws and ratification of pacts and treaties from both ends for mutual benefits. It is not difficult to predict that the long term consequences of the meeting shall affect trade relationships and could ease trade terms for both countries as well as migration policies.
Diplomats and International affairs experts know for sure that the synergy of the two legislatures is a brainier for both parties and Dr Henry Archibong, who very recently completed a Course on “Creating Collaborative Solutions: Innovations in Governance” at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States of America, USA, is strategically placed to help orchestrate the realization of the potential effects of such diplomatic action.
It is worthy to note that the visit of the Nigerian parliamentarians will yield positive fruits as the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe had to delay the return of the lawmakers by one day as he insisted on meeting with the Nigerian delegation (though not in their original itinerary) in order to solidify their mission after a robust and successful interparliamentary interactions. At the meeting, the Prime Minister thanked the lawmakers and reiterated the need for closer ties between the two countries in the economic, political and security sectors.
© _Media Office, Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency
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