By Olayemi Esan, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African Counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa today signed several Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to mark the end of the 10th Nigeria-South Africa Bi-Annual Commission at the State House, Abuja.
This is as part of the Federal Government's efforts geared towards strenghtening the already existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa.
The MOU signed by both leaders were in the area of youth empowerment, women and child development, political consultations as well as other critical areas that would enhance people to people contact and economic integration of both countries.
The President also noted that existing Memorandum of Understanding in the area of Military cooperation, mines and mineral explorations, power and other areas of economic and political interest were also reviewed to ensure increase in the participation of both countries and the African free trade agreement.
The two leaders also used the opportunity to lunch the Nigeria- South Africa Youth Dialogue which would serve as platform for enhancing shared values and aspiration among youths of both countries.
The South African President while speaking expressed gratitude to president Buhari and the people of Nigeria for the warm welcome accorded him and his team despite the scare generated by the recent discoveries of the Omicron variant of the Corona Virus by scientist in his country adding that the solidarity expressed by the President and members of his government sends a strong message that reaffirms a united Africa which stands against arbitrary and indescriminatary restrictions that are not only unscientific but counter productive in the long run.
President Ramophosa reaffirmed that the leadership of both countries during the meeting decided towards building ressilience in the area of health care system and other area of shared priority stressing that health care cooperation is a critical area of focus in the current climate especially as Africa moves towards adopting the African Union Agenda 2063.
Earlier, the Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Mohammed Takuti Usman led Officers and men of the Brigade to present a special Guard of Honour for the visiting president.
There was also inspection of Guards and the firing of 21 Guns salute in honour of the visiting President .
The visit and signing of the MOU was witnessed by members of the Federal Executive Council as well top government officials from both countries.
