Pretoria - The state visit to Nigeria has given impetus to efforts to strengthen the existing bilateral political, economic and social ties between that country and South Africa, says President Jacob Zuma.
President Zuma concluded his two day state visit to Nigeria, at the invitation of President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday.
President Zuma said South Africa and Nigeria will work together more to promote prosperity, good governance, peace and security and a better life for the people of the two countries.
"We view this state visit as being truly significant as it has taken relations between our two countries to a much higher level. The visit has sought to further deepen the historic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, which were forged during the struggle for liberation in our country,” said President Zuma at the end of his visit.
The state visit was the first to be hosted by President Buhari since assuming office in 2015. It was a good opportunity for the two Presidents to reflect on how to strengthen bilateral and economic relations.
“We held very productive discussions between the two governments. The relations between the two countries are managed through a Bi-national Commission. We have taken an important decision to elevate the commission to a Head of State level,” said President Zuma.
The South Africa-Nigeria Bi-national Commission (BNC) will be co-chaired by President Zuma and President Buhari.
In their discussions, the two Presidents commended the increasing cooperation in many sectors including trade and investment, defence and security, immigration matters, energy and mineral resources.
President Zuma also had the honour of addressing a joint sitting of the Nigerian Parliament. The last visiting Head of State to address the Nigerian Parliament was then US President Bill Clinton in 2000.
President Zuma also addressed the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum. He challenged the business community to ensure that they are not left behind in the fourth industrial revolution.
He added that in one or two decades to come, Africa must ensure "that the abundant mineral wealth in our continent, which is making other continents richer, must improve the lives of Africans”.
“It must help us defeat poverty, disease and helplessness amongst our peoples,” said President Zuma.
He said Nigeria and South Africa must work in unity to bring about peace and stability in the continent by providing maximum support to the peace and security efforts of the African Union.
"Our people need peace. They need development and they need to see their lives getting better every day.”
The President said the agreement reached to formalise the South Africa-Nigeria Business Council will assist in managing and advancing the economic relations between the two countries.
"South Africa is optimistic about the further growth of economic ties between the two countries. Nigeria has opened up its economy to South African companies in various sectors such as engineering, telecommunications, construction, aviation, media, hospitality, banking, entertainment, property, retail and oil and gas exploration services.
“We welcome this significant development. We would like to see the numbers of Nigerian investments in South Africa also increasing, as we promote two way trade between these two nations,'' said President Zuma.
President Zuma was accompanied by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula; Trade and Industry Rob Davies; Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba; Energy, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Mineral Resources, Mosebenzi Zwane and the Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo, as a well as a business high level delegation. - SAnews.gov.za
