ABUJA – President Jacob Zuma of South Africa has canvassed strategic partnership between Nigeria and his country to insulate both economies from the current downturn of global economies.
Addressing a joint session of the National Assembly, yesterday, the visitor disclosed that South Africa already has not less than 120 companies in Nigeria from a mere four companies in 1999 as a way of maximizing the big Nigerian market with attendant economic benefits for both countries.
He asserted that South Africa and Nigeria were strategic partners in the pursuance of the African Agenda, South-South Cooperation and in the promotion of a rules-based International System.
“Both countries share a common vision on issues of political and economic integration in Africa and on the need for a sustainable conflict resolution mechanism in Africa that is primarily driven by Africans.
At the global sphere, we share a common vision on the need for the reform of the multilateral institutions such as the United Nations particularly the UN Security Council.
We share the views about the reform of the international financial institutions, the IMF, the World Trade Organisation and the World Bank to be more reflective of the realities of the changed and changing international environment.
Our two countries must continue to advocate for rules-based-international system and must unite and work together in this regard, in order to achieve a more just and equal world.
Nigeria and South Africa must forge a strong strategic partnership. We need to strengthen our political, economic social and cultural cooperation. We need to advance the continental integration and transformation informed by the African Union’s Constitutive Act.
We need to unite and work together on the issues of peace and security. This should include the bringing into operation of the standby forces and their capacitation.
We commit ourselves to playing our part to achieve this. Let the citizens of Africa march together to defeat all those forces that bring harm and suffering.
Let the citizens of the continent march together towards a brighter future, a future filled with prosperity and happiness.
South Africa and Nigeria, acting together in unity, must play a key role towards the achievement of these goals.
He said there was room for greater business to business engagements particularly in the areas Nigeria has identified as potential growth sectors”, he continued.
President Zuma also recalled Nigeria’s historic roles in the liberation of South Africa from Apartheid regime.
“This year marks the 40 Anniversary of the passing of one of the illustrious sons of Nigeria and Africa, General Murtala Mohammed. His tenure only lasted 200 days but it had a profound impact, particularly on the struggle against apartheid and colonialism in Southern Africa.
In his powerful speech to the OAU Extraordinary Summit on Angola in 1976, General Mohammed opened his address by saying and I quote: “Mr Chairman, when I contemplate the evils of apartheid, my heart bleeds and I am sure the heart of every true blooded African bleeds.’
In conclusion General Mohammed said: “Africa has come of age.” and will “no longer accept dictates from any so-called superpower.”
“It was within this context that General Murtala Mohammed, immediately after the situation in Angola was explained to him, withdrew Nigeria’s support of the OAU position calling for a Government of National Unity between the FNLA of Holden Roberto, UNITA of Jonas Savimbi and the MPLA of Augostinho Neto.
“He took a firm decision for Nigeria to support the MPLA, which resonated with the position of many liberation movements in Southern Africa, including our own – the African National Congress.
“It is thus clear that ours are time-tested relations. Engagements between our countries far predate the formal relations established after South Africa attained its freedom.
“The people of Nigeria provided unwavering support and solidarity to the people of South Africa, to unseat the last bastion of colonialism in Africa and enable us to attain our freedom.
“I would like to remind especially the youth in our two countries, of the role that Nigeria played in the struggle for liberation in South Africa.
“Nigeria was very instrumental in establishing, in the 1960s and the chairing, for 25 years, the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid, and further hosted a UN anti-apartheid conference in 1977.
“From the mid-70s, Nigeria and its people also hosted some of the exiled freedom fighters from South Africa, with numbers increasing after the Soweto Student Uprising in 1976.
“By coincidence or design, this year we also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Soweto Students Uprising in June 1976.
In his welcome address, Senate President Bukpla Saraki acknowledged what he described as “the vital role the South African Government has played so far in terms of our engagements in the area of security and the fight against insurgency”
“The Nigerian people are grateful and ask you to keep up the good work. For us, the fight against terrorism remains a global one. Terrorism anywhere must continue to be seen as terrorism everywhere”, he stressed.
Sen. Saraki also canvassed ways of enabling both countries positively, inter African investment through policy interventions”, stressing, ” this is a critical policy role the legislature can help us actualize; it starts with ensuring fairness and ease of doing business; this National Assembly is already at work to reduce the cost of doing business in Nigeria generally”.
“As representatives of our people, we cannot fail to use this opportunity to enable you feel their pulse. Though our two nations are doing well in the area of trade and investment our people have found entry into the South African market, bottlenecked. This is not the case for South African businesses in Nigeria. Nigerians therefore yearn for greater reciprocity in this area.
This is also the case with travels and visa restrictions. Another area we cannot fail to emphasize is the need to activate our MOUs that have been duly signed but are inactive. It is our belief that this would be in the mutual interest for greater integration, opportunity and engagement.
Your Excellency, our two countries have come a long way and this visit will help cement that. We are very delighted to have you in our midst. Please, enjoy the warm hospitality of our people wherever you may go from here”, Senate President Saraki added.
