Jacob Zuma-We Are Proud Of Nigeria

Jacob Zuma-We Are Proud Of Nigeria

Zuma NASS South African President, Jacob Zuma, on Tuesday hailed Nigeria’s role in helping the southern African country during its trying times.Speaking during a joint session of the National Assembly, President Zuma said “Nigeria’s role in ending apartheid in South Africa must be told endlessly to future generations of our people.

“Nigeria provided solidarity to South Africans to unseat colonialist and we can’t forget Nigeria’s role in reparation for South Africa,” he said.

The South African President, who is on a two-day state visit to Nigeria, also applauded Nigeria’s conduct of the 2015 Presidential election, saying he salutes the courage of all those who were involved in making that election a smooth one for the country.

President Zuma also said that South Africa was willing to work with Nigeria in bringing about a steady power supply and also appealed to Nigeria to join hands with other African countries in defeating the enemy of the continent.

“Economic cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa must be enhanced to enable Africa develop at a fast pace.

“We must diversify our economies to provide more jobs for our people to break away from colonial strongholds.

“Economic cooperation between Nigeria & South Africa must be enhanced to enable Africa develop at a fast pace.

“We need to advance the continental integration and transformation informed by the African Union’s Constitutive Act.

“We need to unite and work together on the issues of peace and security.

“These should include the bringing into operation of the stand by force and their capability. We commit ourselves to playing our part to achieve this.

“Let the citizens of Africa march together to defeat all those forces that bring harm and suffering to our continent.

“Let the citizens of Africa match together towards a brighter future. A future filled with prosperity and happiness.

“South African and Nigeria acting together in unity must play a key role towards the achievements of these goals and objectives,” he said.

The Senate President and the Speaker in their speeches observed that there would be great consequences if both governments do not work together to ensure stability and growth of the continent.

The Chairman of Nigeria’s National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki, on his part asked the visiting South African President, Jacob Zuma, to consider easing travel restrictions for Nigerians and reducing challenges of doing business in his nation.

Senator Saraki pointed out that there was disparity in the opportunities investors from both countries enjoy, stressing that Nigerian wanted greater reciprocity.

The Nigerian Senate President also emphasised the need for greater African integration through the easing of trade restrictions, travel restrictions and better policy action towards intra-Africa investment and support.

South African President, Jacob Zuma, earlier said his government would do everything possible to ensure that the monies confiscated by South Africa during Goodluck Jonathan’s regime are returned to Nigeria.

Mr Zuma made the promise while addressing reporters after bilateral talks with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

For over two hours President Buhari and the South African President discussed several issues aimed at deepening the relationship between the two countries.

President Zuma was accompanied to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, his host.

Reporting by GWD………………….