The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has told the South African authorities to reciprocate the Nigerian Government’s gesture by ensuring that the business interests of Nigerians in South Africa are secured.
Lawan stated this when a three-man delegation led by the High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Thamsanga Dennis Mseleku, paid a visit to his office on Thursday in Abuja.
Other members on the visiting delegation were Bobby J. Moroe, Minister Plenipotentiary; and Boipelo Lefatshe, First Secretary Political.
According to the Senate President, efforts by both countries to secure the business interest of its nationals would create better chances of employment for their citizens across board and guarantee stronger economic prospects for Nigeria and South Africa.
He said: “For quite some time now, there are many South African companies that find Nigeria to be home.
“We are trying to see if we can achieve the same in South Africa.
“But I want to assure you that we will continue to support the Executive arm of government in Nigeria to ensure that all South African business interests are protected.
“I will however urge that we are able to bring both countries together, that is to mean it shouldn’t be an isolationist sort of arrangement.
“When you have your businesses here, we should have Nigerians given the opportunity to participate in those businesses after some time.
“I believe that doing so will breed a closer relationship in terms of economic and social engagements.”
Speaking on the relationship between South Africa and Nigeria, the Senate President advocated for a synergy between the parliaments of both countries, adding that a collaboration of sorts would better serve the general interest of the African continent.
Lawan said: “Our relations have taken some bashing in the last few years, but for the right steps taken by our Presidents, Muhammadu Buhari and Cyril Ramaphosa, to exchange visits.
“We believe that relations are being mended and seem better, particularly taking into consideration that Nigeria and South Africa are the political and economic giants having occupied the first and second positions in terms of status.
“So, we need to continuously have a very good and cordial relationship because if we don’t, then Africa suffers.
“I recall that in 2017 and 2018, we sent a parliamentary team from the National Assembly to South Africa with certain issues that we felt strongly about at that time.
“I believe that we need to develop the relationship between the South African and Nigerian Parliaments.
“Already, we are members of the Pan African Parliament, which I was privileged to represent the parliament of Nigeria, with chambers in South Africa.
“And of course, we belong to the ACPU together, the Commonwealth and so on.
“Though these are multilateral parliamentary institutions, I believe what we need to do is to bring both countries’ parliaments (Nigeria and South Africa) to lead the rest of the continent.
“That gives Africa a better and more respectable image.”
Earlier, Mseleku said the visit was particularly to inform the Nigerian parliament of the presence of the South African Commission in Nigeria.
“The purpose of our visit is to actually announce our presence in your lovely country to say we are now here representing South Africa, and we are ready to be available at all times when it comes to matters that relate to the relationship between our countries,” he said.
