President Bola Tinubu has called on his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa to come together and go deep into lifting Africans from the dept of poverty and other misfortunes, irrespective of what it would cost them to do so.
Speaking today, December 3, at the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, President Tinubu stressed the urgent need for the two of them to overcome what he called “irritants” that hinder their collaboration and focus on transforming Africa’s global image.
The Nigerian leader, who co-chaired the presidential BNC with his South African counterpart, highlighted the importance of cooperation between the continent’s two largest economies and its potential to redefine the global perception of the continent.
“The continent looks up to us; we cannot afford to fail it.
“We need to leverage the potentials of this partnership to strengthen economic, political, business-to-business, as well as people-to-people relationships between the two countries, bearing in mind the tremendous benefits it promises.
“Our successes will change the negative narratives of seeing Africa as a country perpetually mired in poverty and conflict and with their leaders unable to offer the kind of transformational leadership the continent deserves.
“As the adage goes, ‘the glory of the eagle does not please the kite,’ let us remain mindful of the overt and covert hostilities that the success of our partnership will attract.
“If we are vigilant, committed and persistent, we will surely soar like the eagles over the reach of predators. So, we must remain strongly united on purpose.”
Tinubu suggested to South Africa to champion Africa’s interests during its current G20 presidency, saying that Nigeria is ready to join the bloc alongside South Africa and the African Union.
President Tinubu warned that the African countries involved should not count their successes by the number of MoUs and agreements signed, saying that such are mere papers “until we implement them in spirit and letters. This is the job of our senior officials, and I must implore them to redouble their efforts in this regard.”
President Tinubu acknowledged that South African companies such as MTN and Multichoice have made significant inroads into the Nigerian market even as Nigerian businesses like Dangote Group and Access Bank have similarly extended their presence in South Africa.
“But that is not enough. I cannot pretend that all has gone satisfactorily well. We can identify the gaps and challenges, including persistent irritants in our relations, and deal with them appropriately. This is the real essence of the BNC.
“Together, we can act as engines of economic integration and development in our respective sub-regions as well as on the continent.”
The Nigerian leader proposed joint action on mining to tackle illegal mining and enhance professional capacity development.
“Our natural resources are supposed to be mined for the betterment of our people. However, there seems to be a concerted effort flowing in the opposite direction. Throughout Africa, illegal mining is not only robbing our nations of precious income, which could foster development.
“Sponsored by powerful outside forces, such mining is fomenting strife, servitude, poverty, environmental degradation and undermining the writ of legitimate government.
“We cannot allow this inland piracy to become a scourge to our good and healthy designs for our people. South Africa and Nigeria should and must take the lead in placing this issue before the global community and in resolving it for the good of our continent and its people.”
