Nigeria on Monday sought South Africa\u2019s support for its bid \u201cto attain full membership in the G20, BRICS and the BRICS New Development Bank.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria is also seeking South Africa\u2019s support for it to assume leadership roles in thematic discussions of interest under South Africa\u2019s G20 presidency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the request during her closing remarks at the ministerial session of the 11th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town, South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Africa officially assumed the presidency of the Group of 20, a club including the world\u2019s wealthiest nations on December 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The expanded BRICS, which South Africa is also a member, boasts of being the engine of global economic growth in recent years, accounting for about 37 per cent of the world\u2019s GDP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reaffirming Nigeria\u2019s commitment to regional peace, Ojukwu urged South Africa to lend its support in accelerating the peace process in Sudan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said President Bola Tinubu, who is a member of the ad hoc mediation committee established by the African Union, has prioritised resolving the crisis to foster peace and stability in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018\u2018We are strongly committed to seeking a resolution of the crisis in Sudan and in this guise, we seek South Africa\u2019s support to further accelerate the peace process and to ensure that within our region, conflicts are de-escalated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018\u2018We can hope that with peace, greater progress and development can be achieved across all spheres,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister lauded the officials of both countries for working hard to present the draft communique, facilitate amendments and submissions raised at the ministerial session of the BNC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft communiqu\u00e9 and agreed minutes will be presented to President Tinubu and President Cyril Ramaphosa at the presidential BNC session on Tuesday in Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his response, South Africa\u2019s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Roland Lamola, affirmed that South Africa would amplify Africa\u2019s voice during its G20 presidency and \u2018noted Nigeria\u2019s requests.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will count on Nigeria\u2019s wise counsel as we assume this major responsibility,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lamola, who co-chaired the BNC session, emphasised the mutual resolve to deepen dynamic and vibrant bilateral relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018\u2018Our people expect South Africa and Nigeria, given our common roots, to continue working together and more closely in order that their conditions and prospects are improved and the quality of life enhanced,\u2019\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lamola also highlighted priority areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, tourism, health, education, agriculture, ICT, artificial intelligence, arts and culture, climate change, defense, and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stressed the importance of expediting the finalisation and implementation of outstanding agreements under the BNC framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ministerial meeting sets the stage for the high-level engagement between Presidents Tinubu and Ramaphosa, where key agreements will be signed and initiatives to strengthen the strategic partnership between Nigeria and South Africa unveiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the opening session of the meeting, Odumegwu-Ojukwu had expressed Nigeria\u2019s commitment to expanding its strategic partnership with South Africa across diverse fields, particularly in infrastructure development and capacity building in the mining sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said Nigeria will present a draft Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration with South on the certification of Nigerian mining geologists and other professionals in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said: \u201cI must stress that Nigeria is prepared to explore new vistas of cooperation with the Republic of South Africa in various fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cApart 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n