Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called for greater unity, solidarity, and coordinated action among countries of the Global South to confront shared global challenges.
Speaking at the Third South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Rabat, Morocco, Akpabio addressed a gathering of legislators, diplomats, and development experts under the theme “Inter-regional and Continental Dialogues in the Countries of the South as a Fundamental Lever to Address the Emerging Challenges of International Cooperation and Achieve Peace, Security, Stability, and Common Development.”
A statement from his media office in Abuja quoted Akpabio as saying that leaders must move beyond rhetoric and pursue bold, united strategies for progress. “We meet not just to exchange words, but to forge ideas, solidarity, and brave cooperation,” he stated, emphasizing that the pressing global issues of economic instability, climate change, and political unrest cannot be tackled in isolation.
Praising Morocco as a bridge between continents and cultures, Akpabio commended the host nation’s role in facilitating meaningful dialogue.
Invoking the spirit of past anti-apartheid and liberation movements, Akpabio argued that similar collective determination must now be harnessed to confront modern-day crises. “No fortress of difficulty—economic, political, or social can withstand the force of our unity,” he declared.
Akpabio also reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to regional integration, citing involvement in ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as examples. He stressed that collaboration and trust among Global South nations are essential for sustainable development.
Quoting an African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” he urged member countries to prioritize long-term collective growth over short-term national gains.
On his official 𝕏 (Twitter) handle, Akpabio reiterated that economic cooperation must be deliberate and institutionalized, adding, “Let it be said that through the bridges we built with dialogue and the laws we crafted with vision, we unlocked the gates of shared prosperity for generations yet unborn.”
He concluded that the future depends on the courage and unity of the Global South, asserting that through parliamentary cooperation, these nations will not only respond to change but shape it.
Akpabio was accompanied by a delegation of eight Nigerian senators, including Peter Nwaebonyi, Osita Ngwu, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Samaila Kaila, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Salihu Mustapha, Jimoh Ibrahim, and Titus Zam.