Yakubu Dogara, Speaker House of Representatives on Monday applauded the $5 billion bilateral trade between Nigeria and Italy.
Dogara also called on the International Community to address trans-border crimes, terrorism and migration by building strategic economic partnership.
The Speaker who gave the charge during an interactive session with the Italian delegation, led by Laura Boldrini, President of Chambers of Deputies, held at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, emphasised the need for improved relationship between both countries especially in the area of human trafficking.
To check the menace of human trafficking, Dogara urged Italy to invest in the economy of Nigeria especially in the oil and gas sector.
“The truth is that for us to deal with terrorism, Illegal migration, trafficking and cross border crimes, we have to address the issue of bringing prosperity to sister countries so that citizens are catered for and jobs are provided.
“It is by investing in this country that we can provide the opportunity that can provide employment for the people who always want to risk all the dangers associated with migration. There will no motivation to engage in crime,” he said.
The Speaker also urged various Heads of States and Governments and other stakeholders who pledged to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria to redeem their pledges in order to avert famine, starvation and dehumanization in the camps.
Dogara said that while the world had recognized terrorism as global challenge, collective efforts should be geared towards checking the menace.
While commending the Italian Government for their support towards the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, Dogara solicited for developmental assistance that will help Nigerian economy and reduce the spare of migration.
Speaking earlier, President of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Laura Boldrini, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the rescue of 82 girls who were kidnapped from a girls secondary school in Chibok Borno State three years ago.
She also expressed willingness of Italy’s parliament to collaborate with its Nigerian counterpart to address the challenges faced by victims displaced by Boko Haram attacks, as well as the trafficking of people, especially young girls and women, to Italy.
Boldrini disclosed that 37,000 Nigerians arrived Italy in 2016, saying she supports a “unified effort for both countries to check terrorism. Italy stands by Nigeria’s side to combat terrorism. We do appreciate your effort and believe that since terrorism is a threat to the entire world, we need to join forces in this regard”
Boldrini also said that she was “concerned” that “UN agencies (working to provide aid for IDPs) are suffering because of lack of aid. It is important that the international community continues to fund, to get resources for those in need so that they don’t cut aid for victims of terrorism in this country,” she said.
After taking the Italian delegation round the House Chambers, Dogara led the visitors to the New Kuchigoro IDP Camp, Abuja, where Boldrini promised to sink a borehole and provide a generator set for the camp.
She also promised to renovate all the classrooms built with zinc in the bid to alleviate the sufferings of the women as children within the community.
The President of Italian Chamber of Deputies expressed her country’s readiness to foster stronger bilateral cooperation with Nigeria to boost trade, parliamentary and security between the two countries.
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