President of the Senate, Senator David Mark today reminded the British Government of her bond with Nigeria and urged that the former colonial master takes interest in the propagation and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.
Senator Mark said: “Nigeria and Britain have a long history of bilateral relations. Therefore, Britain must not only show interest but continue to support and strengthen democracy and its institution in Nigeria”.
Senator Mark who spoke when he played host to British delegation led by United Kingdom’s Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, Simon Fraser in his office, said the British Government assistance was needed to grow our democracy to fruition.
“Sustenance and survival of democracy in Nigeria will boost the confidence of investors to invest in Nigeria for socio economic development”, he stressed.
Senator Mark also requested for Britain’s economic cooperation in order to boost trade and commerce between the two nations”.
He noted the security challenges Nigeria is currently facing and implored the former colonial masters to deploy her expertise to assist Nigeria out of the quagmire.
Specifically, he requested for collaboration between British and Nigeria Legislature in order to improve the quality of legislation by the latter.He was glad that Nigeria democracy has remain uninterrupted 13 years on, hoping that it will get stronger and better in the years ahead.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Simon Fraser said they were in Nigeria to further strengthen bilateral relationship between Nigeria and United Kingdom, promising that his country is prepared to cooperate in the area of security as well as improving the economic ties.
Fraser besides being the head of Britain diplomatic service, is also Senior Foreign Policy Adviser to the Foreign Secretary and responsible for the management of the foreign and commonwealth office in London, other Embassies and High Commission around the world for Britain.