Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa on Tuesday, March 8, addressed a joint session of the National Assembly. Zuma’s visit to Nigeria and President Buhari is aimed at mending the relations between the two giants of Africa, as there are also indications that it is an opportunity for both presidents to address the South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum. But according to him, the main objective for his visit is to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa so as both nation’s economic ties are fortified.
Excerpts of Zuma’s speech read: “The main objective of the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa is to ensure that economic ties are strengthened. We are proud of this country, as Nigeria charted the way Africans need to follow with the 2015 election. “Nigeria’s role in ending apartheid in South Africa must be told endlessly to future generations of our people. Nigeria’s role in the reparation of South Arica has a special place in the history of the African continent and we must strive not to be left behind in the fourth industrial revolution. Presently, more than 120 companies from South Africa operate in Nigeria as against just four companies in 1999. “But we must diversify our economies to provide more jobs for our people to break away from colonial strongholds. Economic cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa must be enhanced to enable Africa develop at a fast pace. “The bilateral relationship between our countries improved in the last 16 years with over 120 South African Companies in Nigeria now.” Zuma’s visit to the National Assembly is symbolic. It is the first time that the 8th National Assembly is honouring a visiting President and the second time that a President is addressing the joint session in the last 15 years. The last was in 2000 by a former US President, Bill Clinton.
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