The President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwunmi Adesina has recounted the outstanding achievements his four-year presidency has made, even as he eyes second term with President Muhammadu Buhari nominating him.
Adesina, who spoke at an event in Lagos yesterday, October 6, said his four-year tenure had seen to the connection of 16 million people to electricity and provision of improved agricultural technologies to 70 million people for the purpose of achieving food security.
Dr. Adesina, who appreciated President Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank, said: “at the African Development Bank, we have worked very hard.
“In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security.
“We have also given nine million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation.
“In all, 181 million people have directly benefitted from our investments.
“I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen.
“The African Development Bank has continued to maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally.
“There is still much to do. We have gone some way climbing the steep mountainside of Africa’s development, yet there is still much way to go until we reach the mountaintop.
“Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing.
“I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for re-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election.”
Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide has warned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop the agitation for the creation of Biafram Republic out of Nigeria and prepares to begin a campaign for Igbo Presidency in 2023.
In a statement by the President and Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Okwu Nnabuike respectively, Ohanaeze said that Igbos should be supported to take a shot at the presidency in 2023 for unity, justice, fairness and equity to reign.
The group said that it would soon inaugurate a new 2023 National Committee on Igbo presidency project, with a clear mandate to reach out to all the youth leaders, opinion leaders, respected statesmen, Traditional Rulers, religious leaders, women leaders and students in all the zones.
Ohanaeze said that it would lobby stakeholders in the two major political parties, through strong persuasion to break new barriers and build bridges across the Six Geo political Zones. It added that it would appeal to the conscience of the political actors to concede 2023 presidential tickets to Igbo-speaking states, Rivers and Delta states inclusive.
“Southeast remains an integral part of Nigeria, and in other to address all manner of ill feelings like perceived marginalisation and Biafra agitation, Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion know that for unity, justice, fairness and equity to reign, Igbo should be supported to take a shot at the presidency in 2023.
“It’s glaring to all Igbo that Igbo presidency project is closer to achieve than Biafra realisation. The process of achieving Biafra independence is more cumbersome and complicated compared to Igbo presidency project which is closer and easier.”
The group said that irrespective of the fact that Igbos and IPOB believe in Biafra independence, it is aware of the limitations of Biafra agitation.
One of the beneficiaries is being examined by a Saudi Doctor | Credit: Saudi Arabia Embassy in Nigeria
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched what it called “Volunteer Medical Campaign for Combating Blindness and its Causes” in Nigeria.
According to a statement today, October 6, from the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Adnan bn Mahmoud Bostaji, the campaign, which is funded by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in collaboration with Al Basar International Foundation, is aimed at combating eye problems and treat eye patients.
The statement said that the campaign’s first stage comprises of eye patients in Ibadan (Oyo State), and in Lafiya (Nasarawa State), and is coordinated with the local government authorities in the states.
It said that the campaign will continue until the end of October.
“The campaign aims at detecting and diagnosing the problems of eye patients by consultants and surgeons in order to give them the necessary treatment and to do surgery to remove cataract and glaucoma for those in need of the surgery, as well as do other minor surgical operations and offer them medicine and medical glasses.
“More than twenty persons work in this campaign, comprising of consultants, technicians assistants, and a number of volunteers.
“On the first day of the campaign, a great number of Nigerian citizens who came to the campaign’s post in the city of Ibadan were actually examined and diagnosed. Most of them were found to have sight weakness or disorders, and the necessary treatment was given to them. The approval has also been made to perform five hundred surgical operations in the coming days in order to remove cataract and glaucoma.
“This campaign proceeds from the leading humanitarian role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in terms of humanitarian and relief aid in various countries of the world, as well as the interest of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, and his trustworthy Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman, in enhancing humanitarian work in all fields and in offering aid to friendly countries.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also offers its humanitarian aid to all humanity, irrespective of religion, race or color.
“This campaign comes in order to enhance and strengthen the excellent historical ties between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are based on friendliness and mutual cooperation.”
Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has narrated how he vehemently resisted ex British Prime Minister, David Cameron over Same sex Marriage.
Jonathan said that as President of Nigeria at that time, he came under almost unbearable pressure from the Cameron administration to pass legislation supporting LGBTQ Same Sex marriage in Nigeria.
The former Nigeria leader, who reacted to Cameron’s statement that he (Jonathan) prevented UK troops from rescuing some of the 276 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram from Chibok, Borno State, described such statement as a tissue of lie.
Former President Jonathan said that his conscience would not allow him to accede to same sex marriage, because he swore on the Bible to advance Nigeria’s interests, and not the interest of the United Kingdom or any foreign power.
“As such, on Monday, January 13, 2014, I signed the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law after the bill had been passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Nigeria’s parliament, in line with the wishes of the Nigerian people.
“This happened shortly after a study of 39 nations around the world by the US Pew Research Centre came up with a finding which indicated that 98 per cent of Nigerians were opposed to the idea of gay marriage.
“Immediately after I took this patriotic action, my government came under almost unbearable pressure from Mr. Cameron, who reached me through envoys, and made subtle and not so subtle threats against me and my government.”
He said that meetings were held at the White House and at the Portcullis House in Parliament UK, with the then Nigerian opposition, All Progressives Congress, to disparage him, after he had signed the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law.
On the allegation of corruption, Jonathan said Transparency International, which is globally acknowledged as the adjudicator of who is corrupt and who is not, stated that Nigeria made great improvements in the fight against corruption
Ex PM Cameron, in his recently published memoir titled: ‘For the Record’, had said that a team of UK soldiers had located some of the Chibok girls but “Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, seemed to be asleep at the wheel. When he eventually made a statement, it was to accuse the campaigners of politicising the tragedy. And absolutely crucially, when we offered to help rescue the girls we had located, he refused.”
There were several crucial outcomes from the three-day state visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Republic of South Africa, October 2nd – 4th, 2019, and here are some highlights from the historic journey. The President, who was accompanied by Governors of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Plateau State, Simon Lalong, seven cabinet ministers, head of the National Intelligence Agency and that of the Diaspora Commission was on a dual mission to undertake a State Visit and Co-Chair, with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the inaugural meeting of the elevated Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Nigeria and South Africa. In 2016, the two countries had agreed to lead the BNC at the level of heads of state, which was the first ever by Nigeria. In focus during President Buhari’s visit was a wide range of bilateral, regional, continental and global issues of common interest. For the first time, in the very historic relations that binds the two countries, this visit sought to, and successfully, established an equation between the two and their leaders. The result seems positive with both leaders acknowledging how the meetings reinforced the historic and strategic relations that exist between them, and the need to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation. They both proclaimed a perfect meeting of minds. The meetings took place against the overarching backdrop of the sporadic xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals including Nigerians, which had threatened to rupture the cordial and brotherly relationship between the two countries. When some countries in the sub-region recalled their ambassadors and threatened to cut ties with South Africa following the xenophobic attacks, Nigeria under President Buhari, chose to act wisely by not taking rash actions. There were doubts in many quarters on the continent, if the South African state understood early enough, the magnitude of the consequences of attacks on their own nation, and Africa as a whole. So for President Buhari, the approach was one of engagement, to assist the government and people of that country to overcome their problem, which by now had become our own, and Africa’s challenge. President Buhari set the right tone by sending a Special Envoy, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to obtain first hand facts concerning the condition of Nigerians and to sensitize the South African leadership on the concerns of Nigeria and of the continent as well the implications of the attacks. After receiving a brief from the envoy, the President decided to proceed with an earlier planned visit, rather than abort it as some had suggested. With the visit, he saw an opportunity to put Nigeria/South Africa relations on a fast track; that if the two largest economies can come closer and work together, they can help one another, and the continent at large to overcome the many problems confronting them. Where there is development, prosperity and jobs among Africans, the backward habits as embarrassingly witnessed in South Africa and reprisal attacks, including Nigeria, would have been avoided. President Buhari did not, therefore, see “an eye for an eye” or a tit-for-tat as a solution. In appreciation of this approach, many in African leadership, including the African Union have sent messages to the President, thanking him for his enlightened leadership and wisdom in dealing with the matter, and in particular for speaking for Africa. Arising from their discussions, both leaders condemned xenophobic violence and the reprisals. A solution to the typical violence, in their various pronouncements, lies in poverty eradication, jobs creation, crime prevention, observance of rule of law and lawful migration. The two Presidents directed their Foreign Affairs Ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism for prevention and monitoring platform. Closely linked to this is the issue of the large number of Nigerians incarcerated in South African prisons, their number still undetermined, and lack of communication from the authorities regarding the process and the status of these arrests. The President requested relevant authorities to alert the Nigerian High Commission and the Consulate-General whenever a Nigerian is arrested, in line with Geneva Convention on Consular matters. Nigeria and South Africa agreed to exchange a list of frequent travellers, notable business people and academics to facilitate the issuance of long term multiple entry visas for 10 years. There was also an agreement to re-establish the Nigeria/South Africa Consular Forum, with departments equivalent to our own Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Co-Chair), Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian High Commission, the Consulate, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking of Persons, Immigration Service and the Police. The forum will meet two times each year. The two countries agreed to cooperate in geopolitical matters affecting the continent, on such matters of human rights, reform of the United Nations, migration and security issues, the fight against corruption and terrorism, nuclear disarmament and Western Sahara. To take full advantage of the Nigerian Presidency of the UN General Assembly, currently led by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, Professor Tijjani Mohammed Bande, and the South African Chairmanship of the Security Council for October, 2019, they agreed to push for the implementation of Resolution 2439 of the Security Council passed 2017, that called for a High Level Visit to the Lake Chad Basin. The leaders of the two countries agreed to come closer on defence matters and counter terrorism; to intensify military training cooperation and share intelligence, and to work closely in areas of space technology and cyber security. It is also important to note that that the leaders of the first and second economies on the continent agreed to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment. The inaugural meeting of this council will hold in April in Abuja next year. The meeting reviewed and agreed on the terms of reference as well as the operating rules for the council. President Buhari and President Ramaphosa also tackled the knotty issue of market access. While South Africa is expected to re-submit the items they wish to have removed from Nigerian import prohibition list and want identified legal and regulatory difficulties facing businesses from their country in Nigeria removed, this country equally wants to have similar obstacles faced by Nigerian companies in changed or taken out altogether. Nigeria expressed commitment to open a trade office in South Africa. Both countries noted the non-participation of Nigerian banks in South Africa and requested such banks to define their interests for determination by the relevant regulatory authorities in South Africa. The same thing would apply to the aviation sector where the South African Airways has free air space in Nigeria but airlines here say they have difficulties accessing the South African air space. South Africa indicated they will look into all the issues. The two leaders also took note of the significant footprints of South African businesses in Nigeria in sectors such as telecommunications, mining, aviation, banking and finance, retail, property, entertainment and fast foods. They welcomed business activities of Nigeria’s small, micro and medium enterprises as well as the investment of the Dangote Sephaku Cement in South Africa. In dealing with the unwanted tide of informal artisanal mining activities, a team from South Africa will undertake a study tour of Nigeria in January next year. Also in the coming year, there will be joint minerals investment road show as well as an in-depth research and study of coal in this country, with Nigeria gleaning from South Africa’s rich experience in the sector. Nigeria’s proposal for knowledge sharing in the areas of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks in mining and metallurgy sector was also welcomed. In another significant pronouncement to be welcomed by many, President Ramophosa expressed regrets again and again on the xenophobic incidents and contended that South Africa is an integral part of the African continent: “We should never forget that our fellow Africans have contributed to the development of our economy and that of the region, and that South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent.” In a speech that should calm many Nigerians, who daily accuse our African brothers of ingratitude, President Ramaphosa said at the State Banquet in honour of President Buhari that: “We owe our freedom to Nigeria and Africa.” He cited sacrifices made by the country and its citizens “in spearheading the call for sanctions against the apartheid regime in the 70s and 80s following the Sharpeville massacre in 1960,” adding that “without Nigeria, freedom for South Africa would have come at a greater cost and a later date.” He repeatedly gave strong assurances that xenophobic attacks will not be allowed to happen again. On his part, President Buhari read one of his best speeches in the current times at the banquet, a speech that in no small measure, delighted Nigerians and South Africans. When he met the Nigerians in Diaspora, the President spoke as a father and a true African leader: “Recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa. It was an embarrassment to the continent. Let me again use this medium to condole the families of all those who lost their lives over the years in such tragic incidents. May their souls rest in peace. I also commiserate with all those who were injured. May God heal their wounds. My sympathies are also with those who have lost properties. “During my visit here, we have discussed these attacks on foreigners and Nigerians. The authorities have expressed their apologies over the incidents and have resolved to take necessary steps to end this ugly trend in the interest of our relationship. “We have just inaugurated the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission at the level of Heads of State with a firm determination to further bring our two countries together in a mutually beneficial partnership. Let us therefore give peace a chance and pray we have seen the last of this ugly violence” President Buhari’s visit to South Africa has, without doubt, ushered in the process of healing of wounds that had festered overtime, and upgrading of good bilateral relations to special and strategic levels.
Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai has described the kidnapping of six students of a private school and their teachers as one of the biggest tragedies that had happened in recent time.
“This is one of the biggest tragedies and we are doing everything to manage the situation to get the children and their teachers safely and pursue these kidnappers with everything that we have got. “I get updates every three hours on this and the last update I got is that they are in touch and they are discussing to resolve the matter. We have been receiving intelligence some three months ago, that the bandits have connected with some elements of Boko Haram, and they will be targeting schools to kidnap children because they know that that is what makes the news.” Governor El-Rufai spoke to news men today, October 4 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Governor confirmed that the kidnappers had made contact with the parents of the victims, but refused to disclose the ransom they are demanding. “First, I must say it is most unfortunate and tragic. For us in Kaduna for this kidnap of children and teachers to happen. The report I got is that six students of a private secondary school were kidnapped along with two teachers. “As at this morning (Friday), the kidnappers have made contacts with the parents, and we have got the parents of the kidnapped children and the relations of the teachers to be in one place so that, there is one line of communications with the kidnappers to facilitate their release. “However, from the moment of the kidnap, the security agencies, all agencies, from the DSS to the Police, the Nigerian Air force, and the Army have been on the matter and I am confident that not only are we going to secure the release of the students and their teachers, but we are going to get the kidnappers by the grace of God. “It is always a moment of sadness when young people that are trying to get an education become victims of these criminals. But kidnapping has become widespread that for many people, it is not news. For us in Kaduna.” Meanwhile, report reaching us said that the kidnappers have demanded the sum of N50 million ransom.
The Nigerian Government has signed a 70 million Euros additional financing bilateral agreement with the Republic of Germany on sustainable economic development. The agreement is specifically for renewable energy, polio eradication, strengthening resilience of internally-displaced persons and host communities in northern Nigeria, education, peace and Security, amongst others. At the signing ceremony, Minister of state for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba explained that the areas of intervention by the Government of Germany are in line with economic sustainability and inclusive growth espoused by the Government of Nigeria in the Economic and Recovery Growth Plan. The minister, who commended the efforts of the consultative meeting, which produced the agreement, said that it had provided a platform for a coordinated approach to economic cooperation between the countries. The forum also reviewed and strengthened the existing cooperation as well as discussed further on expansion of the cooperation between Nigeria and Germany. The Minister also commended the German Government for its continuous support and commitment to the development of Nigerian since the 1960s. Speaking on behalf of the Government of Germany, leader of the delegation and head of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Christoph Raul said that Germany is pleased with efforts of the present government at growing the economy. He said that the Republic of Germany had partnered the country in her march towards polio eradication which had led to 3 years of absence of the white polio virus, and further expressed the commitment of the German government to achieve its economic policies.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it has seized no fewer than 1,072 vehicles from suspected smugglers since the closure of Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries.
The Service spokesperson, Joseph Attah, who spoke today, October 4 in Katsina during a sensitisation programme on the Border Drill Operation, said that the vehicles were seized while trying to cross into the country through illegal routes. Attah said thatover 19,000 bags of foreign rice and 4,765 Jerry cans of petrol were also seized, even as two fuel tankers were impounded. The PRO said that thousands of ammunition were seized, while 317 suspects were arrested during the period. He said 131 bags of NPK fertilisers, which would have been used to make explosive device were seized, while 146 illegal immigrants without genuine travel documents were arrested. According to him, the closure of the borders had helped in ensuring security for the citizens as well as improved the nation’s economy. “Anytime you buy a foreign rice, you have empowered foreign farmers, while our farmers are suffering in spite of government interventions like Anchor Borrower, which is aimed at boosting rice production. “We are now like candles burning ourselves and lightening others.” He said that government launched the ongoing Border Drill Operation to check the menace of smuggling and illegal immigrants into the country. He appealed to Nigerians to continue to support government policies like the Border Drill Operation.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made another intervention of $311.5 million in the retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) and CNY 15 million in the spot and short-tenored forwards segment of the inter-bank foreign market. The Director in the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank,Isaac Okorafor, who confirmed the development said:“the dollar interventions were for customers in the agricultural, airlines, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors, while the yuan component was for payment of renminbi denominated letters of credit for agriculture as well as raw materials.” Okorafor said that the market continued to enjoy stability as a result of the regular interventions by the bank. He said that the regular interventions would guarantee a stable exchange rate for the Naira, even as he assured that the bank’s Management would remain committed to ensuring that all the sectors of the forex market continue to enjoy access to the needed foreign exchange. Meanwhile, $1 exchanged for N357 at the Bureau de Change (BDC) segment of the foreign exchange market, while CNY1 exchanged at N47.
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina has said that provision of security and economic development of any country are continuous work in progress.
Adesina said that at no time a government would completely eliminate insecurity and complete development in all strata of the society.
The Presidential spokesman was contributing to a theme: Economy, Security And National development: The Way Forward, at the 3rd Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) today, October 4 in Ikeja, Lagos.
Adesina insisted that President Buhari had achieved a lot in the area of security, saying that insecurity is not confined to Nigeria now.
He described as unfortunate, the notion that Nigerians have always been antagonistic to their leaders as they come.
“If Nigerians are the habit of progressively hating their leaders, as Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah said, then something fundamentally is wrong with the citizens.”
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Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide has warned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop the agitation for the creation of Biafram Republic out of Nigeria and prepares to begin a campaign for Igbo Presidency in 2023.
The Nigerian Government has signed a 70 million Euros additional financing bilateral agreement with the Republic of Germany on sustainable economic development.
Key Takeaways From President Buhari’s Visit To South Africa, By Garba Shehu
There were several crucial outcomes from the three-day state visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Republic of South Africa, October 2nd – 4th, 2019, and here are some highlights from the historic journey.
The President, who was accompanied by Governors of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Plateau State, Simon Lalong, seven cabinet ministers, head of the National Intelligence Agency and that of the Diaspora Commission was on a dual mission to undertake a State Visit and Co-Chair, with President Cyril Ramaphosa, the inaugural meeting of the elevated Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Nigeria and South Africa.
In 2016, the two countries had agreed to lead the BNC at the level of heads of state, which was the first ever by Nigeria.
In focus during President Buhari’s visit was a wide range of bilateral, regional, continental and global issues of common interest.
For the first time, in the very historic relations that binds the two countries, this visit sought to, and successfully, established an equation between the two and their leaders. The result seems positive with both leaders acknowledging how the meetings reinforced the historic and strategic relations that exist between them, and the need to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation. They both proclaimed a perfect meeting of minds.
The meetings took place against the overarching backdrop of the sporadic xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals including Nigerians, which had threatened to rupture the cordial and brotherly relationship between the two countries.
When some countries in the sub-region recalled their ambassadors and threatened to cut ties with South Africa following the xenophobic attacks, Nigeria under President Buhari, chose to act wisely by not taking rash actions. There were doubts in many quarters on the continent, if the South African state understood early enough, the magnitude of the consequences of attacks on their own nation, and Africa as a whole. So for President Buhari, the approach was one of engagement, to assist the government and people of that country to overcome their problem, which by now had become our own, and Africa’s challenge.
President Buhari set the right tone by sending a Special Envoy, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to obtain first hand facts concerning the condition of Nigerians and to sensitize the South African leadership on the concerns of Nigeria and of the continent as well the implications of the attacks.
After receiving a brief from the envoy, the President decided to proceed with an earlier planned visit, rather than abort it as some had suggested. With the visit, he saw an opportunity to put Nigeria/South Africa relations on a fast track; that if the two largest economies can come closer and work together, they can help one another, and the continent at large to overcome the many problems confronting them. Where there is development, prosperity and jobs among Africans, the backward habits as embarrassingly witnessed in South Africa and reprisal attacks, including Nigeria, would have been avoided. President Buhari did not, therefore, see “an eye for an eye” or a tit-for-tat as a solution. In appreciation of this approach, many in African leadership, including the African Union have sent messages to the President, thanking him for his enlightened leadership and wisdom in dealing with the matter, and in particular for speaking for Africa.
Arising from their discussions, both leaders condemned xenophobic violence and the reprisals. A solution to the typical violence, in their various pronouncements, lies in poverty eradication, jobs creation, crime prevention, observance of rule of law and lawful migration. The two Presidents directed their Foreign Affairs Ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism for prevention and monitoring platform.
Closely linked to this is the issue of the large number of Nigerians incarcerated in South African prisons, their number still undetermined, and lack of communication from the authorities regarding the process and the status of these arrests. The President requested relevant authorities to alert the Nigerian High Commission and the Consulate-General whenever a Nigerian is arrested, in line with Geneva Convention on Consular matters.
Nigeria and South Africa agreed to exchange a list of frequent travellers, notable business people and academics to facilitate the issuance of long term multiple entry visas for 10 years. There was also an agreement to re-establish the Nigeria/South Africa Consular Forum, with departments equivalent to our own Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Co-Chair), Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian High Commission, the Consulate, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking of Persons, Immigration Service and the Police. The forum will meet two times each year.
The two countries agreed to cooperate in geopolitical matters affecting the continent, on such matters of human rights, reform of the United Nations, migration and security issues, the fight against corruption and terrorism, nuclear disarmament and Western Sahara.
To take full advantage of the Nigerian Presidency of the UN General Assembly, currently led by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative, Professor Tijjani Mohammed Bande, and the South African Chairmanship of the Security Council for October, 2019, they agreed to push for the implementation of Resolution 2439 of the Security Council passed 2017, that called for a High Level Visit to the Lake Chad Basin.
The leaders of the two countries agreed to come closer on defence matters and counter terrorism; to intensify military training cooperation and share intelligence, and to work closely in areas of space technology and cyber security. It is also important to note that that the leaders of the first and second economies on the continent agreed to establish a Joint Ministerial Advisory Council on Industry, Trade and Investment. The inaugural meeting of this council will hold in April in Abuja next year. The meeting reviewed and agreed on the terms of reference as well as the operating rules for the council.
President Buhari and President Ramaphosa also tackled the knotty issue of market access. While South Africa is expected to re-submit the items they wish to have removed from Nigerian import prohibition list and want identified legal and regulatory difficulties facing businesses from their country in Nigeria removed, this country equally wants to have similar obstacles faced by Nigerian companies in changed or taken out altogether. Nigeria expressed commitment to open a trade office in South Africa.
Both countries noted the non-participation of Nigerian banks in South Africa and requested such banks to define their interests for determination by the relevant regulatory authorities in South Africa.
The same thing would apply to the aviation sector where the South African Airways has free air space in Nigeria but airlines here say they have difficulties accessing the South African air space. South Africa indicated they will look into all the issues.
The two leaders also took note of the significant footprints of South African businesses in Nigeria in sectors such as telecommunications, mining, aviation, banking and finance, retail, property, entertainment and fast foods. They welcomed business activities of Nigeria’s small, micro and medium enterprises as well as the investment of the Dangote Sephaku Cement in South Africa.
In dealing with the unwanted tide of informal artisanal mining activities, a team from South Africa will undertake a study tour of Nigeria in January next year. Also in the coming year, there will be joint minerals investment road show as well as an in-depth research and study of coal in this country, with Nigeria gleaning from South Africa’s rich experience in the sector.
Nigeria’s proposal for knowledge sharing in the areas of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks in mining and metallurgy sector was also welcomed.
In another significant pronouncement to be welcomed by many, President Ramophosa expressed regrets again and again on the xenophobic incidents and contended that South Africa is an integral part of the African continent: “We should never forget that our fellow Africans have contributed to the development of our economy and that of the region, and that South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent.”
In a speech that should calm many Nigerians, who daily accuse our African brothers of ingratitude, President Ramaphosa said at the State Banquet in honour of President Buhari that: “We owe our freedom to Nigeria and Africa.” He cited sacrifices made by the country and its citizens “in spearheading the call for sanctions against the apartheid regime in the 70s and 80s following the Sharpeville massacre in 1960,” adding that “without Nigeria, freedom for South Africa would have come at a greater cost and a later date.” He repeatedly gave strong assurances that xenophobic attacks will not be allowed to happen again.
On his part, President Buhari read one of his best speeches in the current times at the banquet, a speech that in no small measure, delighted Nigerians and South Africans.
When he met the Nigerians in Diaspora, the President spoke as a father and a true African leader: “Recent acts of xenophobic attacks on our compatriots and other Africans in South Africa are shocking to me, Nigerians and indeed Africa. It was an embarrassment to the continent. Let me again use this medium to condole the families of all those who lost their lives over the years in such tragic incidents. May their souls rest in peace. I also commiserate with all those who were injured. May God heal their wounds. My sympathies are also with those who have lost properties.
“During my visit here, we have discussed these attacks on foreigners and Nigerians. The authorities have expressed their apologies over the incidents and have resolved to take necessary steps to end this ugly trend in the interest of our relationship.
“We have just inaugurated the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission at the level of Heads of State with a firm determination to further bring our two countries together in a mutually beneficial partnership. Let us therefore give peace a chance and pray we have seen the last of this ugly violence”
President Buhari’s visit to South Africa has, without doubt, ushered in the process of healing of wounds that had festered overtime, and upgrading of good bilateral relations to special and strategic levels.
Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity.