By Aaron Ossai and Disun Amosun
Members of the House of Representatives have been commended for their achievements in the 9th National Assembly especially the passage of the Electoral Act 2022 into law during their time.
Making the commendation when she visited the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila yesterday, the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing acknowledged the role played by Gbajabiamila towards encouraging women in parliament.
Explaining that she had wonderful experience working with the leadership of the House of Representatives led by Hon. Gbajabiamila, she applauded the working relationship on the Electoral Act.
“I’ve been here, as you mentioned, since 2018. In fact, I arrived just before the last election. So, it’ll be nearly four and a half years. By the time I finish, I always wanted to do two electoral cycles. And it’s proven to be fascinating to do.
“So, I’ve had some highs, many highs, a few lows, but overall, it’s been an absolutely wonderful experience. And it’s a very strong foundation and it’s been a really good working relationship with Mr. Speaker and his team.
“We’ve worked together on a number of very important electoral bills, his own initiative, the center’s foundation he’s set up to support young legislators and I was very privileged to support the launching of that, so it’s been a great pleasure working with him,” she stated.
Responding, the Speaker who acknowledged the robust relationship supported by the outgoing British High Commissioner, stressed that: “It’s a bitter-sweet visit I would call it. Sweet because it’s always good to have you around and to sit with you, put heads together and discuss various issues, but bitter because you’re outgoing. It’s bitter because I personally have to speak for several Nigerians everywhere and in their official and in their personal capacity as it is.
“I’ve enjoyed a great working relationship with you, you and I, over time had robust engagements and interaction both formal and informal. You’ve been very supportive… It’s been a very enriching time for me.
“Your time here is your time, sometimes I think your passion is so evident in many of our discussions, and my hope and my prayer is that whoever succeeds you will carry on in that same trajectory in building and fostering and even more sustainable relationship between our two countries. I really do thank you very much”, he added.
