Dear Mr. Speaker,

It is for me a great honor to receive you today and to extend a warm greeting to you and the members of your delegation.

You represent a great country of 130 million inhabitants belong to 370 ethnic group speaking more than 500 languages. We measure the immensity of your task to keep together such a large number of citizens. But, as we read in a biography, you are a vigorous problem solver, crisis manager and consensus builder. Your country is lucky to have you as third person of the State. So you are in a position to make miracles and to safeguard the necessary unity of the Federation of Nigeria and its leading role in Africa

We are of course very interested to note that you have chosen a federal structure since this first day of Independence in 1960. At the beginning there were three regions and now Nigeria comprises 36 States. Although the situation of a small country like Switzerland cannot be compared with the greatest African State, we have a common inspiration and can surely exchange our experiences. Last week we had a delegation of Sri Lanka. Some expressed concern that a federal structure could lead to separation. This is not our experience and we would like to inform you that our national motto "is one for all and all for one" (In latin: Unus pro Omnibus, Omnes pro Uno).

We will meet our lady vice-president of the Federal Council who will be next year President of the Confederation. She is a politician of your generation. We were glad that an agreement on immigration matters could be successfully concluded with her last year.

A French author, after a few years independence, wrote a book entitled "Black Africa had a bad start" (René Dumont : L'Afrique noire est mal partie). Perhaps he was right but we notice with optimism that Nigeria is a major sponsor of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, this a really a very important initiative and also we appreciate the great role in the peace keeping operations. Nigeria should receive a permanent seat in the Security Council of United Nations and the voice of Africa could be raised with more strength in order to ensure peace and not unilateral decisions such as those taken by the USA in the Iraq affair.

A toast is not the right moment to discuss difference of opinion. So just accept that I noted with pleasure the creation of a committee of 7 members led by former Judge Oputa which will investigate the violation of human rights, including Sharia. We, Swiss, have also made faults and we cannot understand how Abasha's funds could be deposed in our banks. We were able to block these accounts. The case is unfortunately not finally resolved.

Our hopes for the future of Nigeria are great. We wish you great success in your position of President of the Senate.

I raise my glass to your health and to the prosperity of the Nigerian people and we are sure that Nigeria's motto will be fulfilled "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress".