Let’s enhance our people-to- people relations to avoid unhealthy competition, Buhari tells Ramaphosa

 

‘. State visit successful despite Omicron scares’

.Nigeria, South Africa leaders launch youth dialogue for peace, security

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja urged stronger emphasis on people-to-people relations between South Africa and Nigeria to evolve a bond that will be of benefit to both countries and the entire African continent.

 

President Buhari, who received President Cyril Ramaphosa, at the State House, reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to improving a “special relationship’’ with South Africa, which will translate into gains for the continent, particularly in education, science, trade and investment, tourism and security.

 

At the opening of the 10th Session of Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) held in his office, President Buhari said: “Mr. President, permit me to state that some of the challenges identified during the last Bi-National Commission (BNC) have not been completely addressed. We need to ensure that our people-to-people relations are enhanced to a point where there would be no need for unhealthy competition.

 

“In this regard, we need improvement in educational and scientific cooperation, mines and energy resources, transport and aviation, tourism, youth exchange programmes, trade and investment and military cooperation, to mention but a few.”

 

President Buhari told ministers and government delegates of both countries that a strong bond of brotherhood between Nigeria and South Africa would be of great benefit to Africa as a catalyst for economic, technological, social and cultural development and as a force for peace and security on the continent.

 

Adding: “Let me at this point re-iterate my commitment to ensure that the special relationship between our two countries is continually strengthened.’’

 

President Buhari said it was fulfilling that despite all the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the BNC was still holding on schedule.

 

“It is also gratifying to observe that this has been brought about by the dogged commitment of senior officials from our countries.

 

“More importantly, it is gratifying to note that despite the pandemic, our timelines for implementing some decisions of the 9th BNC have been met. Similarly, discussions are ongoing on new and important areas of cooperation between our two countries.

 

“I must commend the Honourable Ministers and senior officials of both our governments for their sustained effort in breathing life into the bilateral agreements between our countries. I am aware that the Senior Officials Meeting and Ministerial Meetings which preceded this Presidential BNC were successfully concluded,’’ he added.

 

At the end of the Summit, President Buhari expressed his delight at its successful conclusion, calling it, “heartwarming and a source of great pride that we have been able to further cement the special bond of fraternal friendship between our two countries.”

 

He also remarked that the agreement on Early Warning Mechanism would “improve the people-to-people relations of our two countries. Similarly, our two countries have established high level official communication channels for diplomatic consultations, trade and investment, and will, shortly, inaugurate the Nigeria – South Africa Youth Dialogue. I am confident that these vehicles of engagement and cooperation will serve our mutual interests.”

 

The Nigerian President commended the South African leader for initiating the Nigeria – South Africa Youth Dialogue which he (President Buhari) also endorsed.

 

“I hope that beyond being a vehicle for mutual learning and understanding by our youth, it would also foster the kindred spirit of humanity towards others as prescribed in the great South African traditional philosophy of Ubuntu. That would lay a solid foundation for the realization of the Africa that we want,” he said.

 

President Buhari appreciated President Ramaphosa and his delegation for the visit.

In a related development,President Muhammadu Buhari and President Cyril Ramaphosa have launched the Nigeria-South Africa Youth Dialogue for Peace and Security, Youth Development and Political Participation.

 

Speaking to the youths virtually, President Buhari expressed optimism that the establishment of the Youth Dialogue would promote peace-building and development as well as help both countries jointly combat youth restiveness.

 

 

 

The Nigerian leader also noted that the Dialogue would afford both countries to strategically develop ”a vast world of collaboration in areas of science and technology,” including climate change, energy demands, green technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security, telematics, agriculture, technology and much more.

 

 

 

”Nigeria and South Africa have a combined population of about 262 million of which 95 million are youth.

 

 

 

”This represents tremendous potential for both countries if we can truly harness this demographic with more dedicated action.

 

 

 

”This sizable youth population may also represent significant problems if we fail to maximize their potential in a world that globalization and technology are reshaping at breakneck speed.

 

 

 

”These are the rationale for proposing this Youth Dialogue.

 

 

 

”Both countries need more educated youth, more skilled youth, more youth in entrepreneurship, more solution providers and peace-keepers and more patriotic youth.

 

 

 

”It is true that our youth already collaborate especially in the creative arts, sharing our rich cultures.

 

 

 

”We will build upon this especially in the framework of the intra- African trade expansion we intend to promote through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement,” he said.

 

 

 

The Nigerian leader expressed confidence that collaborations in science and technology and many other areas in a strategic and committed way would provide both countries with solutions and critical intellectual property to unleash economic outcomes for millions of job creations.

 

 

 

”I must urge our youth to see themselves as brothers and sisters with a lot to share and explore together, not as foes.

 

 

 

”Even when Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles compete, it must be as friendly rivals,’’ President Buhari declared.

 

 

 

The President described the inauguration of the Steering Committee on the Youth Dialogue during the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission as a great leap forward.

 

 

 

”It will aim to jointly combat the restiveness of our youth, exchange ideas/opportunities and reduce friction amongst them,’’ he said.

 

 

 

According to the President, the areas of cooperation under the Youth Dialogue would include exchange programmes on notable national, international and historic events; National Youth Service initiatives; sharing of best practices on national youth legislation, policy frameworks and guidelines as well as youth entrepreneurial development and support.

 

 

 

Other areas of cooperation, are market development and export marketing for youth; partnership in youth development in the following sectors: mineral resources, environment, forests and woodlands and waste management value chains.

 

 

 

From the Agreement establishing the Youth Dialogue, exchange of information on technologies, research and development programmes and experts as well as providing assistance in the areas of accessibility, availability and affordability of mobility aids featured prominently.

 

 

 

The Steering Committee is expected to come up with the road map for the actualization of the Youth Dialogue.