David Mark Begs Britain To Assist Nigeria On Insecurity

Senate President David Mark yesterday went down memory lane that as our former colonial masters, Britain must help Nigeria nurture the present democracy.


He particularly drew the attention of Britain to the current security challenge in the country, especially activities of the Boko Haram sect that have engaged in killings and wanton destruction of property, just as he called on the former colonial masters to deploy her expertise to assist Nigeria out of the quagmire.

Speaking when British delegation led by the United Kingdom's Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service, Simon Fraser visited him in his office, Senate President Mark said, Britain should not forget in a jiffy, the existing bond between Nigeria and the British Government, just as he said as colonial masters, it must be interested in the propagation and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria.

"Nigeria and Britain have a long history of bilateral relations. Britain must not only show interest but continue to support and strengthen democracy and its institution in Nigeria".

Senator Mark, who noted that the British Government's assistance was needed to grow Nigeria's democracy to fruition, said, "Sustenance and survival of democracy in Nigeria will boost the confidence of investors to invest in Nigeria."

The Senate President, who also requested for Britain's economic cooperation to boost trade and commerce between the two nations, requested for collaboration between British and Nigeria Legislature to improve the quality of legislation by the latter.

He was glad that Nigeria's democracy has remained uninterrupted 13 years on, hoping that it would 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 was prepared to cooperate in the area of security, as well as improve 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.
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