Senate President Godswill Akpabio has arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, leading Nigeria's delegation to the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Joining him are Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong. The delegation was warmly received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Abiodun Richards Adejola, and South African Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr. Mxolisi Nkosi, upon their arrival at the Geneva airport.
The 148th Assembly of the IPU is scheduled to take place from March 23 to 27, 2024, at the International Conference Centre of Geneva. A letter addressed to the Nigerian Senate President from the Secretary General of the IPU, Martin Chungong, confirms the event's dates and invites Nigeria's active participation.
Notably, Nigeria achieved a significant milestone at the previous IPU in Luanda, Angola, where Akpabio was elected into the Executive Committee, breaking a 59-year-old jinx. The IPU, established in 1889, aims to promote peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue, with 179 member countries out of 193 in the world.
In addition to his role at the IPU, Akpabio was nominated by the African Parliamentary Union (APU) to the Preparatory Committee for the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament of the IPU. The IPU plays a crucial role in facilitating parliamentary diplomacy and empowering parliaments and parliamentarians worldwide to promote peace, democracy, and sustainable development.
