Mrs Esther John Audu, the Nigerian High Commissioner to The Gambia, yesterday, paid a courtesy call on Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, the speaker of the National Assembly, at her office at the National Assembly building, Banjul.

During the meeting, Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay, informed Mrs Adu that The Gambia, as a member of the Commonwealth, has a unique Assembly which unites all members and has established joint friendship associations with other sister assemblies. She spoke of the existing cordial relations between The Gambia and Nigeria. She added that this has been invigorated by the attendance of the minority and majority leaders of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to the state opening of the parliament.

She also briefed the High Commissioner on the progress in transforming the National Assembly and in ensuring that both the opposition and ruling party parliamentarians are united as well as the membership.

Momodou Sanneh, the minority leader and NAM for Kiang West, paid tribute to the speaker, saying "she is a leader who brings us together and deserves credit for that," he said, adding that they will give all necessaary support to the commission.

Netty Baldeh, the NAM for Tumana, made similar remarks and welcomed High Commissioner Audu to The Gambia.

In her response, High Commissioner Esther John Audu, who was accompanied by Mr Obase Okongon, the head of Chancery, thanked the speaker for the good work she has been doing, saying "I have been admiring you from a long distance". She also expressed her admiration with President Jammeh's 'Back to the Land Call' and urged Gambians to support him. She assured of her readiness to work with the Assembly