Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on Tuesday in Abuja called for closer relationship between the parliaments of Nigeria and Ethiopia.

Ekweremadu made the call when the Ethiopian Ambassador to Nigeria Ali Suleiman paid him a courtesy visit.

The deputy senate president described Ethiopia as a very important country to Africa, being the host of the African Union and called for greater strategic synergy between the two countries.

He said the Ethiopians had cordial co-existence in spite of their plurality and called on Nigerians to emulate them.

"Most importantly, Ethiopia just like Nigeria is a pluralistic society with numerous religions and ethnic groups and Africa must learn from them how to take advantage of our diversities."

Earlier, Suleiman commended the Nigerian government for its commitment to the African project.

He called for closer cooperation between the governments and parliaments of both countries. NAN