By Terhemba Daka, Abuja
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, yesterday, expressed Nigeria’s readiness to expand its strategic partnership with South Africa across diverse fields, particularly in infrastructure development and capacity building in the mining sector.
Speaking at the opening of 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), ministerial session in Cape Town, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria would present a draft Memorandum of Understanding, for collaboration with South Africa 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, is a precursor to Tuesday’s presidential BNC, where President Bola Tinubu and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, will jointly lead discussion.
The Nigerian minister 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.”
South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation emphasised the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries, which have existed for 30 years, following decades of Nigeria’s relentless support for the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
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.