The National Assembly of Nigeria has expressed delight at the steady pace of social, political and economic development in Ghana since independence and congratulated the government and people of Ghana for attaining 50 years of nationhood. The Nigerian Legislature also called on African nations and "their leaders to begin the next phase of the struggle against neo-colonial interests by emancipating their countries from economic strangulation, backwardness, poverty and underdevelopment." These were contained in a congratulatory message sent by the Speaker of the House of Representative, Aminu Bello Masari to Ebenezer Sekyi Hughes, his Ghanaian counterpart who read it on the floor of the House. "The House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, considered a motion to mark Ghana’s attainment of 50 years as an independent nation," the message said. "The House noted the bond of brotherliness and friendship that has continued to exist between Ghana and Nigeria pre and post independence and the healthy growth of social and economic ties between the two countries," it added. It said in appreciation of the heroic efforts of the entire people of Ghana towards the achievements of independence the Nigerian National Assembly through a resolution, "recognized with pride the foresight of and the sacrifices made by those who fought for the independence of Africa from colonial bondage." Source: ghanadistricts