Date: 2017-07-08

British High Commissioner of United Kingdom to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright and Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmad at the Government House, Ilorin on Friday.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright has declared that Britain is strongly in support of the corporate existence and unity of Nigeria.

Paul Arkwright made his country's stand known on Friday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital when he paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad.

The envoy declared that the UK had nothing to do with any agitations to break up Nigeria adding that , "we strongly support the Federal Government and that is the position that the British Government had held consistently."

The High Commissioner also stated that Britain has absolutely no interest in the agitation for the breakup of Nigeria and anybody who claims the British Government is involved in any way, is completely wrong.

Speaking on the issue of women in politics in Nigeria, the envoy told the speaker that their percentage was low and therefore, urged him to do everything possible to encourage more women in politics and civil society, as the British Government would welcome the development.

"I am very keen to see the Kwara House of Assembly and members here and I feel strongly that sometimes in this country, democracy is for the delegates. It is great to see a house of assembly that is operating in the true spirit of democracy representing the people here," he added.

The speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad described the legislature as the center of democracy.

According to him, some houses of assembly were not functioning as expected. However, he said in Kwara state, the executive and the legislature were working closely with the people.

Dr. Ahmad said that though they all belonged to the same party in the state house of assembly, they had cause to amicably disagree with the executive because they represent the people.

The British High Commissioner also paid a private visit to the Kwara st ad at the Government House, Ilorin.