Amb Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, on Monday expressed Nigeria’s commitment to expanding its strategic partnership with South Africa across diverse fields, particularly in infrastructure development and capacity building in the mining sector.
The Minister said this at the opening of 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) ministerial session in Cape Town, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said in a statement.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria would present a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for collaboration with South on the certification of Nigerian mining geologists and other professionals in the field.
The meeting co-chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Roland Lamola, a precursor to Tuesday’s presidential BNC where President Bola Tinubu and President Cyril Ramaphosa will jointly lead discussion
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: ”I must stress that Nigeria is prepared to explore new vistas of cooperation with the Republic of South Africa in various fields.
”Apart from exploring opportunities in the co-financing of infrastructural projects capable of benefiting our two economies, we are seeking collaboration with South Africa in capacity development in the area of certification of Nigerian mining geologists and other professionals in that field.
”To this end, we have prepared a draft MOU for the consideration of South Africa.
”We hope that the derivable benefits from this arrangement would help to enhance the capacity of our mining professionals to become globally competitive.’’
The ministerial session will agree on the minutes from the working groups on the thematic areas and a draft communique to be adopted at the presidential level BNC.
The key areas under discussion include trade and investment, political consultations, consular and migration matters, defence and security cooperation, and collaboration in banking, energy, manufacturing, and the social sector.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged the delegates to the meeting to maintain a high spirit until the end of the process while underscoring the strategic nature of Nigeria-South Africa bilateral relations and a shared belief in their common destiny as leading economies on the continent.
”The BNC owes a lot of promises for the future off Nigeria, South Africa relations and we have got many more miles to go. Let us therefore approach it with zest and faith.
”Together, we shall win for our respective countries and for Africa . I look forward to working alongside my co-chair, Honorable Lamola to make today’s proceedings and that of our principals a resounding success,’’ she said.
Dr Roland Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, emphasised the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries, which had existed for 30 years, following decades of Nigeria’s relentless support for the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
”This is a gesture we will always cherish,” he said.
The minister called for the expansion of trade relations within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to reflect the potential for growth.
Lamola acknowledged the historical responsibility of both nations to promote peace and dialogue globally, expressing concern over regional conflicts and the need for reform of international institutions like the United Nations. (NAN)
