The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for stronger socio-economic and political ties between Nigeria and Sao Tome & Principe in the spirit of African brotherhood.
He made the call in Abuja recently when he received the President of the Parliament of Sao Tome and Principe, Delfim Santiago Das Neves, who paid him a courtesy call at the National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila noted that both countries could partner in the areas of agriculture, tourism and commerce.
He said; “I am excited because this meeting will strengthen and deepen economic and socio-political ties between Nigeria and your country
”Sao Tome and Principe is rich in agriculture and tourism. This is an area Nigeria can tap into.
“In our house here, we have, since 2019, embarked on parliamentary diplomacy.”
“We have established friendship groups with many countries and I use this opportunity to invite Sao Tome and Principe to be part of this process,” he added.
The Nigerian Speaker also invited Sao Tome and Principe to join the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, which would hold its inaugural meeting later in October this year.
Das Neves said Nigeria and his country were one, recalling that the first settlers in Sao Tome and Principe actually came from Nigeria.
He also called for improved relations between the two countries, which Das Neves admitted had not grown much in the last 10 years.