Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, will today lead Nigerian delegation to participate in the 4th United Nations Conference of Parliamentary Heads holding at the organisation’s headquarters in New York, United States.
This year’s conference which will be declared open by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, will feature presentation of reports and general debate on “placing democracy at the service of peace and sustainable development.”
Other issues billed for debate include; “Challenges facing Parliaments today”, “Parliamentary Oversight: challenges and opportunities”, while a bi-lateral meeting with Dr. Saraki is expected to be hosted by the Speaker of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), Mr. Yuli-Yoel Edelstein.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and selected Heads of Parliaments (GLOBE International Representation) are also expected to meet on the sidelines of the conference.
The Senate President is billed to address the session of the world forum on Wednesday, September 2 and later hold a press conference immediately after the speech.
Saraki is accompanied on the trip by Senators Andy Uba, Shehu Sani and Dino Melaye. Others on the entourage include Special Adviser to the Senate President on Economic Matters, Dr. Uchendu Okoye and special assistant on Public Partnerships.
The Senate President and his team departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for New York on Saturday ahead of the conference which begins on Monday August 31, 2015 and ends on Wednesday September 3, 2015.
…NGE: Congratulates Deen-Muhammad, others
Meanwile, Saraki has congratulated Mallam Garba Deen-Muhammad on his election as the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
He also hailed the emergence of Mr. Steve Ayorinde as the Deputy President and Mrs. Funke Egbemode, Managing Director and Editor-In-Chief of the New Telegraph, who was elected Vice-President (West) of the NGE respectively.
