Mark commends IPU for electing African Secretary General —-Says Africa has come of age

Source: pointblanknews.com

President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator David Mark has congratulated Camerounian born new Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Martins Chungong on his election to run the affairs of the global body .

Chungong polled 189votes to defeat his Pakistan Shazia Rafi and Belgian -Geert Versnik Opponents who scored -79 and 74 respectively.

This is the first time an African will be elected to that position since the inception of IPU 125 years ago.

Interestingly, Senator Mark who led the Nigerian delegation which included Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha to the 130th IPU in Geneva, Switzerland was in the fore front of the campaign to elect the Camerounian from the African bloc.

Reacting to the Chungong's election today, Senator Mark noted that the new Secretary General who has been Deputy to the former Secretary General Andres Johnsson from Sweden would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the new assignment.

He thanked the IPU delegates for electing an African to the position assuring that the new scribe would live up to his billing.

Senator Mark maintained that Africa has come of age and capable of holding international positions creditably. The Senate President assured IPU that democracy has taken firm root on African soil for which the citizens have accepted as a way of life.

He tasked the new IPU scribe to fly the African flag very high and promised the cooperation of member nations to enable him succeed.

Paul Mumeh, Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate.