Her Excellency, Esther John Audu, Nigerian high commissioner to The Gambia, yesterday evening, hosted a reception in honour of some visiting Nigerian parliamentarians, at her residence in Fajara.

The delegation included Hon Isa Musa Kummya and Hon Muhammed Idris Ayiye, all parliamentarians from the Kano State House of Assembly. And also part of the delegation was Alhaji Nasidi Yahaya Sulaiman, 2nd deputy president of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.

The delegation is said to be in the country to attend the state opening of The Gambia's National Assembly, scheduled for today. High Commissioner Audu, speaking on the occasion, thanked the parliamentarians for their commitment to the cause of the people of Nigeria, under the leadership of Umaru Musa Yar' Ardua. She also had words of praises for the Nigerian leader.

She described the bilateral relations between The Gambia and Nigeria as cordial, hailing the Gambian leader, Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, for the peaceful atmosphere accorded them in the country. High Commissioner Audu also recognised president Jammeh's trust and support for Gambian women, describing the Gambian leader as gender friendly. She also commended Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, speaker of The Gambia's National Assembly, for her efforts in the course of national development. The Nigerian high commissioner finally prayed to the Almighty Allah to guide, protect and bless the two countries.

For his part, Alhaji Nasidi Yahaya Sulaiman, 2nd deputy president of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, thanked the Nigerian high commissioner for the reception. He expressed delight at visiting The Gambia, especially in such an important occasion, and further expressed optimism that the ties between the two countries would be further strengthened.

Alhagie Sillah, National Assembly member for Banjul North, on behalf of the speaker of the National Assembly, welcomed the Nigerian delegation to The Gambia. He told the guest law makers that many Gambians have studied in Nigeria and expressed hope that the relations between the two countries will be further strengthened.