Nigeria to Strengthen Ties With DPRK Through Parliamentary Cooperations-Yusuf Captain Buba

Daily Rendezvous

The chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Buba Yakub, has praised the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) for standing with Nigeria in its bid to become a as x saying that kind 9f support and relationship is borne out of mutual respect.

Buba said, Nigeria, through the House of representatives, would work with the korean governmnent to strengthen ties between the two countries.

This is contained in a press statement issued by Nkem Anyata-Lafiya, the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, to the Chairnan, House Committee, on Foreign affairs, and Made available to Daily Rendezvous, over the weekend.

The statement reads, that Yusuf Buba Yakub said, "We appreciate you for the visit and for the many kind words the Ambassador had for Nigeria and its people. 

"Nigeria and DPRK have been having a flawless relationship which dates back to 1976, and it has promoted co-operation on technology acquisition, especially, among our tertiary institutions and the health sector. 

"President Muhammadu Buhari, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamala and the Nigerian people are appreciative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for standing with Nigeria in her bid to become a permanent member of the United Nations' Security Council adding that the gesture could only be borne from a strong sense of admiration and global equity."

The Adamawa- born lawmaker also used the opportunity to inform the visiting Korean diplomat of the existence of a Committee on Inter- Parliamentary Relations in the House of Representatives with which the Committee on Foreign Affairs also co- operates and liaises to further Nigeria's Parliamentary diplomacy across the globe. 

Buba promised that, "A smaller regional Group in the Foreign Affairs Committee under which the DPRK falls would ensure the consolidation of the new Parliamentary relations and promised to approach the leadership of the House of Representatives with the proposal for the formation of a Friendship Committee with the DPRK, as the Ambassador had requested.

The statement added that, "The Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Buba Yakub, received in audience His Excellency, Mr. Jon Tong Chol, Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Nigeria,who came to pay the former a courtesy visit.

"During the visit, Ambassador Chol condoled with the National Assembly and the people of Nigeria on the loss of lives and the destruction of public and private properties during the recent protests organised by the Nigerian youth against Police brutality and other untoward actions of security agents across the country. 

"Chol ,who notes that Nigeria would emerge stronger from its present challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency, said some of the nation's present experiences were actually factors that mark its independence which must be appreciated by all.

"While also noting that Nigeria and the DPRK share many similarities as strong regional leaders who treasure their independence greatly, Ambassador Chol said the both countries have in fact over the years shared bilateral ties and enjoyed co- operation on various fronts and levels of relationship."

The statement added that, "like Nigeria, the DPKR has also demonstrated the kind of strength and resilience that have been furthered by the sheer will of her people to pursue, build and sustain internal policies that strengthen social systems,like the Judiciary, Political Participation and Governance, which he said, sometimes attracts the criticisms of the outside world, particularly,the West, which does not understand that all they do is to make their nation stronger through the application of some necessary policies.

"Ambassador Chol, who also noted the important role the legislature plays in a democracy said it was this role that had informed the establishment of a friendship group for Nigeria in the DPKR Parliament. 

"He used the opportunity to propose that such a group be set up in the Nigerian National Assembly, stressing that advancing Parliamentary relations between the both countries would afford them the opportunity to constantly meet to promote shared- vision and ideas that would,in turn, engender closer cooperation and strong bilateral ties. While emphasising the importance that the DPRK attaches to its relationship with Nigeria, the Korean diplomat informed that  their nation's Supreme Leader,Kim Jong- un,had in the last Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria ensured that he was well-represented by a high- power delegation and had also shared congratulatory messages with His Excellency,President Muhammadu Buhari."