The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu on Monday joined Speakers of parliaments from 55 other Commonwealth countries to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth at the House of Commons in London, United Kingdom.
The Event is a precursor to this year’s Commonwealth Day and forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) slated to hold on April 26, 2024. The theme for this year’s CHOGOM is “‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.”
In a statement shared on his social media handle, Rt. Hon. Kalu expressed his delight in joining his colleagues from around the Commonwealth in this year’s event. He said, “I am delighted to join Speakers and Presiding Officers from Parliaments of the Commonwealth as we gather to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth at the House of Commons, London, United Kingdom.”
Earlier in a video message to welcome the leaders of parliament to the House of Commons, His Majesty King Charles III said:
“The Commonwealth family is strongest when we are connected, through friendship. As I have said before, the Commonwealth is like the wiring of a house, and its people, our energy and our ideas are the current that runs through those wires.
“Together and individually, we are strengthened by sharing perspectives and experiences, and by offering and borrowing the myriad ways we have each tackled the challenges of our time.”
In here message of welcome, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, reiterated the strength in the collaborative efforts from members which has made the Commonwealth a strong voice in global affairs.
She said::
“Together, we have built a Commonwealth which is fit for the times we live in: stronger, more connected and more influential than ever; capable of rising to the world’s challenges, innovating to seize new opportunities, and working together to shape a more peaceful, resilient and prosperous common future.
“On this Commonwealth Day, as we prepare to come together again as one Commonwealth family for CHOGM in Samoa later this year, let us draw again from the wells of friendship and mutual respect, encouraging ourselves and inspiring each other to ever-more profound depths of cooperation and greater heights of achievement.”
As part of the programmes lined up for the event, Kalu will join other leaders of parliament at the iconic flag-raising ceremony at the House of Commons later in the day.
