Gbajabiamila, who spoke at the opening of the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region 51st Conference in Abuja
yesterday, said there was the need to agree to use the instruments of trade and
common markets to set, "us irreversibly on the path to a future of
honourable peace, abiding prosperity and brotherhood amongst the nations of
Africa."
Gbajabiamila, in his welcome address, noted that the CPA
Africa Region had and would continue to play an essential role in advancing
democracy in Africa, noting that it provided an opportunity for
parliamentarians across Africa to engage with and learn from each other about
the challenges they shared and the strategies for overcoming them.
The speaker lamented a situation where Africa witnessed a
reversal of the democratic gains made over the past two decades in Sudan, Mali,
Guinea, Niger and Chad, amongst others.
He said: "Let us commit ourselves to using the tools of
parliamentary diplomacy and authority to enable the achievement of a common
passport, a common market and a single customs and monetary union that will
make full African integration possible.
"Let us agree to use the instruments of trade and
common markets to set us irreversibly on the path to a future of honourable
peace, abiding prosperity and brotherhood amongst the nations of Africa.
"It is, therefore, apt that we have chosen to make
addressing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic the theme of our Conference this
year. This will allow us to critically examine the present conditions across
Africa, consider options for building political and economic resilience using
the tools and powers of parliament, and affirm our shared commitment to the
goal of a democratic, free and prosperous continent," he said.
He said the work of the CPA Africa Region was sustained by
innovation and the creative use of limited resources, citing the Investment
Board as one of such innovations, which allowed it to venture into a commercial
activity that saw plans for the construction of a 5-star multipurpose hotel in
Dodoma, Tanzania hatched.
However, Gbajabiamila said challenges were still abound, and
that they were working to overcome them.
He added, "For one, the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association is a Charity organisation registered under the laws of the United
Kingdom. Over the years, we in the Africa region have championed the campaign
to change status from a Charity to an International Association. A Bill has
been introduced in the Parliament of the United Kingdom to effect this outcome.
"However, the process has been slow. Therefore, there
is an obvious and urgent need to rethink our strategy. In this regard, we will
be seeking the support of the Heads of Government to intervene at the level of
the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to enable us to resolve
this matter as soon as it is possible."
He thanked both President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo
for their support in honouring the CPA's invitation to declare the conference
open.
Gbajabiamila also encouraged delegates at the conference to
take the opportunity to consider the prospects for collective advancement and
shared prosperity that existed in the free movement of people, goods and
services across Africa.
In her remark, Hon. Zainab Gimba, who is the chairperson,
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, Africa Region, said women were constrained
from achieving the highest leadership position, noting that issues pertaining
to women shall be at the front-burner during sensitization workshops at the
conference.
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