Nigeria and South Africa strengthen ties, hold 10th bi-national commission.

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja.

Nigeria and South Africa leaders on Friday held the 10th Bi-National Commission and reiterated the resolve of both nations to strengthen diplomatic, bilateral and trade ties between the two leading nations in the African continent.

Activities were lined up for six days for the 10th bi-annual meeting between the two countries held at the Transcorp Hotel Abuja where President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa resolved to strengthen cooperation and bilateral relations between two leading nations in Africa.

The session organised by officials of the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs Abuja is geared towards identifiying opportunities and areas of cooperation and collaboration by the leaders of the two countries given the long standing relations existing beween the two nations.

President Buhari represented by the Permenent Secretary of the Ministry Amb Gabriel Aduda in his opening remarks said that Nigeria and South Africa has long standing diplomatic relations born by shared vision and self respect.

He further said that both countries had been able to exert power and and influence in Africa Affairs and called on the participants to work to strenghten and reinforce the cordial relationship.

Also in an opening speech, President Ramaphosa who was represented by Amb.N.N Losi, the Acting Director-General Department of International Relations and Cooperation South Africa said that both countries should explore opportunities in defence, trade, aviation and other fields of human endeavours.

Both leaders implored, diplomats and other participants at the event to employ diplomatic consultations and signing and monitoring of agreements in addressing  emerging challenges and relationships in their individual nations.

Some activities lined up for the six days meeting include the signing of agreements/memorandum of understanding MoU on diplomatic consultations by ministries of their respective governments.

Other areas of engagement is on youths cooperation, early warning mechanism, art and culture and audio visual cooperation (film industry) among others

Moreover, there ‘ll be the formal signing of agreement by the Governor/ Premier who are leaders of Lagos and the Gauteng province of South Africa in the  two nations most densley populated cities.

Our correspondent recalled that the 9th Bi-National Commission was held in Johannesburg South Africa between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria Goeffrey Onyeama and his South African counterpart Mr Naledi Pandor to discuss and address the root cause of poverty inequality and unemployment in both countries.