The President of the Senate and leader of Nigeria’s delegation at the 147th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Luanda, Angola, Godswill Akpabio, has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Union.
This marks the first time Nigeria has secured such a position in 59 years, with the last election dating back to 1964.
According to a statement from the Senate President’s Special Assistant (Media/Communication), Anietie Ekong, Senator Akpabio’s election to the Executive Committee was the result of overwhelming support from delegates worldwide.
His appointment to this important position at the IPU’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, will hold for a three-year term.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a global organization established in 1889, uniting national parliaments worldwide and devoted to advancing peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue.
Over its 135-year history, the IPU has evolved into a truly international body, counting 179 member countries from the 193 nations around the globe.
The IPU plays a crucial role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy, enabling parliaments and parliamentarians to foster global peace, democracy, and sustainable development.
The 147th IPU Assembly took place in Luanda, Angola, from October 21 to October 27, 2023, and was hosted by the National Assembly of Angola.
During this week-long assembly, the IPU deliberated on pressing global issues and explored strategies to enhance trust between citizens and governing bodies, improve the effectiveness, accountability, and representativeness of public institutions, and better equip parliaments to address the interconnected geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges confronting the world.