The Nation Newspaper

Tag: South Africa

  • South Africa, Nigeria agree on visa waiver for officials

    South Africa and Nigeria have agreed to a visa waiver for officials of both countries.

    The visa waiver was one of nine agreements signed between officials of both countries, during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the former apartheid enclave. The other pacts cover oil and gas, power, defence and communication.

    President Jacob Zuma yesterday said more than 100 South African companies were doing business in Nigeria across several industries.

    “To date, over 100 companies are doing business in Nigeria, with the biggest investment being in the telecommunications sector,” Zuma said in a speech to welcome Jonathan to South Africa.

    “We welcome the participation of South African business in other sectors in Nigeria as well, such as engineering, construction, media, banking, retail, hospitality, oil and gas exploration and services.”

    Last year, South Africa received 73,282 Nigerian tourists, representing 13.8 percent increase compared with the 64,402 who visited in 2011, said Zuma.

    “Our records indicate that Nigerian tourists contributed a total of R720 million to the South African economy last year. To boost tourism links further, South Africa is in the process of opening a tourism office in Lagos.”

     

  • Nigeria, S/Africa approve visa waivers

    Nigeria, S/Africa approve visa waivers

    Nigeria and South Africa on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at ending visa acquisition by holders of official and diplomatic passports.
    Ministers from both countries have been charged to ensure the effective implementation of the newly signed instruments and the conclusion of outstanding agreements.
    Both Presidents, Jacob Zuma and  Goodluck Jonathan met in Cape Town, South Africa where various issues were discussed on how to improve on relationship between both countries as they agreed on so many issues aimed at boosting development in the continent.
    Beside the  visas waiver agreement both countries also signed eight other bilateral agreements which include,  cooperation in legal field, oil and gas sectors, power sector development, environment,defence cooperation, women development and empowerment as well as child development.
    The bilateral agreements also cover geology, mining, mineral processing and metallurgy and fields of information and communication technology.
    For both presidents, stronger ties  between both countries is necessary if the continent’s fortune is to be improved.
    In his view, President Zuma said,  “we have a duty to take this historic relationship further. Our two countries have already grown very warm bilateral relations structured through the bi-national commission that was officially inaugurated in 1999,”.
    The meeting also afforded President  Zuma the opportunity to express his joy also the number of South African companies  doing businesses in Nigeria, the biggest investment being in the telecommunication sector.
    He further noted that it is the  intention of South Africa to expand to other sectors such as engineering, construction, banking, oil and the media.
    He also advocated for  both countries to promote people to people relationship especially through tourism which he said has generated huge Foreign Direct Investment for the country.
    “Last year alone, South Africa received a total of 73,282 Nigerian tourists which is an 13.8percent increase from 2011 contributing about 720million Rands to the South African economy within the period.”
    In his responding,  President Jonathan, described the signing of nine bilateral agreements between the two countries is a major achievement that would enhance the  critical role of Nigeria and South Africa in transforming the continent,
    The President later addressed joined session of the South African parliament where he re-echoed the need for the two countries to strengthen partnership in growing the continent’s economy.

  • Jonathan laments huge number of Nigerians in South African prisons

    Jonathan laments huge number of Nigerians in South African prisons

    May 7, 2013 (NAN) President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed shock over the large number of Nigerian citizens in various prisons in South Africa.

    Jonathan told the Nigerian community in South Africa on Monday in Cape Town, South Africa that the high number of Nigerians in South African prisons did not speak well about Nigeria.

    “I was told that more than 250,000 Nigerians are living in South Africa and that more than 400 are in prison serving various jail terms.

    “This is a bad example of what Nigerians in the Diaspora should be; there are some countries like Malawi and Uganda that no Nigerian is in prison.

    “Most Nigerians are doing very well abroad in various professional callings.

    “There are Nigerians living in South Africa making good name for us but a few of you are doing things in different ways.

    “There is need for these few Nigerians to be good ambassadors of Nigeria so that people will not see Nigeria and Nigerians as corrupt and criminal-minded people and nation,’’ Jonathan said.

    He said that Issue of corruption, security and crime were important to him and his administration.

    “From my experience as deputy governor up till the time I was elected as the vice president I know those who talk more about corruption are the most corrupt.

    “Peoples’ perception about corruption in Nigeria was over amplified than the corruption that happens in the country.

    “The perception index is very high, we are not saying there’s no corruption in the country, all of us must work hard to fight corruption,’’ Jonathan said.

    He said that the problem of insecurity in some parts of the country was being addressed by government.

    “The issue of insecurity, threat to peace and stability in some parts of the country is being addressed; threat to peace and stability in the country must be stopped,’’ Jonathan said.

    The president said he was totally committed to what was right for the country at all times.

    “I promise Nigerians that issue of power will be solved as soon as the privatisation of power sector is completed.

    “Power is key to the transformation agenda of this government; in no distance future the type of transformation in the telecommunication sector will be experienced in the power sector.

    “We as government are doing everything to build a Nigeria of our dreams. Our airports are being renovated and modernisation and expansion of our railway transport system is ongoing.

    “All what we request from all Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora is support and understanding.’’

    Jonathan assured that insecurity and molestation of Nigerians by various South African authorities would be discussed with President Jacob Zuma during the state visit.

    The President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa (NUSA), Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, commended the president for conducting what was considered the most credible election in the history of Nigeria.

    “It will never be out of fashion to say congratulations to you for the election of May 2011 that brought you to office.

    “We congratulate you not because you won but because you made Nigerians all over the world proud by staging what has been dubbed as the freest and fairest election.’’

    Anyene said the action changed the tide in the way politicians came to power in Nigeria.

    “We salute the courage and wisdom with which your administration is dealing with the delicate and monstrous security challenges we are faced with at the moment in our country.’’

    He urged the president to continue to explore every avenue to achieve peace in Nigeria.

    “We must achieve a Nigeria that is safe and secure, where all ethnic groups can leave peacefully side by side with one another.

    “Peace and unity is a necessary pre-condition for the development of any country.’’

    He said that insecurity was preventing Nigeria from becoming a destination for foreign direct investment.

    Anyene said the visit of the president to South Africa would help to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and their peoples.

    He said, however, that Nigeria and South Africa should find a better way of translating government-to-government talk into person-to-person relationship between the citizens of the two countries and organs of state.

    “Nigeria still receive inhuman, disrespectful and degrading treatment that suggest negative social profiling in this country within the South Africa Police Service as well other government departments, especially the Home Affairs,’’ Anyene said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jonathan will attend the World Economic Forum on Africa on Wednesday, before leaving South Africa on Thursday for Namibia. (NAN)

  • Jonathan visits South Africa May 7

    President Goodluck Jonathan will on May 7 pay  a  state visit to South Africa, the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports.

    Amb. Sonni Yusuf, the Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa disclosed this when he spoke to NAN in Johannesburg on Thursday.

    He said that the president would be received in Cape Town by his South African counterpart, President Jacob Zuma.

    “The visit is aimed at broadening our relationship and discussing areas of collaborations and cooperation,” the envoy further stated.

    He said the visit was also expected to further strengthen critical strategic partnership between the two countries.

    Yusuf said that both Presidents Jonathan and Zuma are expected to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreements during the visit

    “The visit is in line with Nigeria and South Africa resolution to work together for the benefit of the African continent,’’ the High Commissioner said.

    Yusuf said that there would be business forum where members of the Nigeria’s business community would also meet their South African counterparts to discus investment potentials in the two countries.

    “On the sideline of the President’s visit, members of the business community of the two countries will meet and discuss investment potentials in areas of mining, agriculture, power and energy, manufacturing, industrial development and ICT.

    “There will also going to be discussion on the service sector, tourism, finance and banking,’’ Yusuf said.

    The President is expected to meet with the members of Nigerian community in South Africa and attend World Economic Forum on Africa on May 8 before leaving for Namibia on May 9.

    NAN reports that President Zuma had paid a one-day official visit to Nigeria on April 16.

  • Who is Nigeria’s youngest commercial pilot?

    Who is Nigeria’s youngest commercial pilot?

    Contrary to recent reports that Favour Odozor, 20, who graduated at the Afrika Union Aviation Academy, South Africa, is the youngest Nigerian licensed commercial pilot there are indications that this record belongs to Sam Phil-Ebosie (1951 – 2012), who graduated as a licensed commercial pilot at the age of 19 in 1970.

    Chinedu Ozordi, a journalist reports that Sam was born to Emman Phil-Ebosie and Yewande Phil-Ebosie on the 271h July, 1951, in Lagos and was the third of four brothers. Sam’s father was the foremost indigenous ENT Surgeon in Nigeria. He attended Ladi-Lak Institute and later transferred to Government Demonstration School, Surulere, Lagos, for his primary education.

    He proceeded to Kings College, Lagos, for his secondary education; after which he shocked his family, teachers and mates by his decision to become a Civil Aviator.

    To accomplish his ambition, Sam sought and was admitted into the second course at the Nigerian Civil Aviation School Zaria, graduating top of his class as a pilot in 1970.

    He thereafter commenced his commercial flying career with the then Nigerian Airways Ltd. Through his career, he was trained on the Fokker 27, Fokker 28, Boeing 737, Boeing 707 and DC 10.

    While he at Nigeria Airways, Sam was said to have been confirmed the youngest Fokker F 27 Captain at the age of 25 years in 1977.

    The height of his professional flying career was when, as the youngest ever captain in the world, he flew the wide bodied aircraft at the age of 30 years in 1981.

    During his career, he was the preferred long haul Captain for the Presidency on the Presidential Fleet. He flew the then President Shehu Shagari to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia, Australia for the Common Wealth Conference in 1981, New York to the United Nation’s Conference and several other destinations; and the Vice President Alex Ekweme also on several occasions.

    Sam later retired from Nigeria Airways in 1985, after which he joined Saudi Airlines, Saudi Arabia in 1985 where he worked as a Lockheed Tri-Star Ll 011 Captain. Between 1986 and 1995, he worked at PH Aviation Teterboro, New Jersey, UPS, New York and Federal Express Memphis.

    Sam retired from commercial flying after 27 years in 1995. Upon retirement he set up his own private aviation support company called Skynote.

    Sam, until his death, remained a keen aviator, consulting in different areas of the aviation sector.

  • Same-sex unions: My truth about Adam and Steve

    Same-sex unions: My truth about Adam and Steve

    I read jolting news from the Republic of South Africa last week. It was piece of information I’m sure many Africans would claim as proof the devil has finally decided to make the continent a permanent residence. The news; well, it’s the traditional marriage between two South African 27 year old males,  Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithol. It was reported that the newly-married couple who have been together for three years, took wedding vows in front of 200 guests. The young men made history as being the first African same-sex-couple to have a traditional wedding in Africa.

    Viewing their pictures, I couldn’t help but notice their happiness. And without knowing them, I was happy for them. They could enjoy a life of bliss in the open with the official blessing of their state. I wondered how they managed to pull off that stunt. Though, it is not illegal in South Africa to be gay, the larger society, comprising whites and blacks, still abhor the practice. Yet, I envied that the South African state had their back. A male facebook friend of mine who is Nigerian recently wedded his fellow partner, another Nigerian male, in London. In pictures taken, my friend and his partner too looked very happy. And following his posts, I see they are having the time of their life. I wish them happiness.

    But, in Nigeria, should my friend have announced such an event, he and his partner might have been beaten and stoned by a mob or slammed with a 14 year jail term by the state. Hence, it came as a surprise that an homosexual rapist, a former Army Major Bello Magaji, sentenced for raping boys in 1986, was one of those recently granted pardon by President Goodluck Jonathan. There have always been homosexuals in Nigeria and these homosexuals have over the years been persecuted. Yet, some elites have lied to the practice but are championing laws to squash equal rights for homosexual. During a campaign for gay rights last year, Senate President David Mark, had during an interview, said there were no homosexuals in Nigeria. That is a lie. By the time many Nigerian students are through with secondary school, they know of the existence of that ‘odd’ guy or girl. In truth, concerning sexuality, nothing is new anywhere. Worldwide, nearly no week passes without one gay parade or the other. Homosexuals in Nigeria are aware of this trend. And they are also aware of their homophobic society too.

    According o a VOA report, Musa Soba, a lawyer and local chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, a prominent opposition party, rejects the view that gay marriage is a human right. “Your rights should remain as far as the issue of survival is concerned, as far as your right to eat is concerned, your right to life, your right to freedom of association and the rest.  But it does not transcend to your right to abuse nature,” he said.

    The purpose of this piece is not to sanction the act of homosexuality. Rather, it is to spur a re-thinking of our hypocritical lifestyle as Nigerians. In public, nearly everyone wants to look prim and proper. Nearly nobody wants to be perceived as being perverse. For instance, among many Nigerian couples, oral sex, a ‘perceived’ western introduction, goes on, yet publicly, our preachers (both Christian and Islam) would probably recommend only the missionary style during intercourse.

    Such thinking is balderdash. Sexual preferences have always been as multifarious since the times when man discovered sex. And by the way, what goes on between consenting adults in the privacy of a bedroom should be private. While I can’t resist a beautiful Eve, shaped like a coke bottle, I know my preferences can’t and shouldn’t be forced on anyone. I personally don’t care if Adam decides to marry Steve. In fact, I know some people don’t even like sex. Except the act is forcefully foisted upon anybody, simply put, everyone’s sexuality is his or her own business. And the state should restrain to poke its nose, except it is a rape or minors are involved.

    In many countries where same–sex rights are legalised, it is not about being decadent; it is about respecting human rights. And their freedom too. I’m not surprised because the Nigerian society seems not to value the essence of ‘freedom’.

    However, when it comes to raising children, I don’t think people of same-sex should be allowed first rights. I mean, I don’t think it’s fair to the balance on which nature thrives. But, with many abandoned children being made by ‘opposing’ heterosexual couples, then, same-sex couples might just as well come to the rescue such children. Also, some people worry that legalising same-sex unions has the capacity of turning our world into one big gay hub. As per that, methinks it is just so much noise being made about nothing. Homosexuality is naturally a freakish occurrence and not the norm. Opposites will still continue to attract. That’s a law of nature.

    But, seriously, at this point in Nigeria, in as much as gay people don’t threaten our quest for a better life, why should we persecute them? While not attempting to be a copycat, some gay and lesbian individuals have excelled more than their counterparts who are not gay. Likewise is that with countries. Simply, engaging on a homophobic rage, I find amusing. Heterosexuals can try to eliminate homosexuals but they won’t succeed. And it just amounts to deprivations of human rights, no matter under any guise.

    Christianity in the west is a bit liberal on the issues of homosexuality. But, just how evil a sin is being homosexual that modern religious Nigerians want homosexuals condemned at all costs and by all means? According to the Bible, if God could destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, why don’t Christians wait for Him to ‘eliminate’ homosexuals again?

    Quoting scriptures, the Nigerian clergy are quick to cite examples whereby God condemns the act. However, they purposely neglect the words of Jesus Christ, whose greatness and wisdom is universally respected. When asked, ‘what is the greatest law in the book?’ Christ replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your might, your soul, and your mind. And the second is like it. Love your neighbour as yourself.’

    Who is your neighbour? Does the homosexual not fit the bill of the neighbour Jesus Christ spoke about? Also, in Matthew 25:40, Christ said, ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto me.’ Again, I ask, who is your brethren? Does the homosexual not fit the bill of the brethren Jesus Christ spoke about?

    If God is love like many adherents claim, methinks it’s time we start to show love to homosexuals. Hate is evil, even if it is founded on religion.

  • Thatcher and Africa

    Thatcher and Africa

     “If a man isn’t willing to take some risk for his opinions, either his opinions are no good or he’s no good”

    ― Ezra Pound

    The only authentic Iron Lady, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, died last week Monday. Since her demise she has racked up as much diverse passion as she did while alive! Her reign as the British prime minister was full of drama and tension. She governed her country with such a tough hand and mien that she became known as the Iron Lady. Her relevance to our continent was no less important and her death has awoken in many bitter feeling on how she dealt with the continent in a brutish manner.

    Many still remember how she aligned with the hated apartheid regime in South Africa and dubbed Nelson Mandela and other liberation fighters in Southern Africa as “terrorists”. In fact, her alignment with the apartheid regime led the inimitable Fela Anikulapo-Kuti to release his widely acclaimed record on the United Nations, in which he asked rhetorically “Wetin unite for United Nations?”

    In Africa, we never speak ill of the dead and that perhaps is responsible for why many have continued to pour encomiums on her. However, as one whose record in Africa is abysmal, I have no qualms in saying that she may have being a great British leader who affected her world positively, but for me as an African she was a leader who cared less for others outside her country or race.

    I still remember that it was during her reign that many Africans, nay Nigerians, who had hitherto looked at Britain as the place to get educated abandoned the country and looked towards America. She raised school fees so much that many who had then looked on American education with some level of disdain turned there in search of the then proverbial ‘golden fleece’. The British loss became America’s gain, so much that today there are more Nigerians in pursuit of education in America than in Britain.

    This was perhaps good because it made us to quickly cut off the apron string of colonialism. Well, she was only living up to name as many Britons still regard her as a veritable ‘milk snatcher’ because it was during her tenure as a minister that she stopped the serving of milk in schools across Britain.

    It was later during her reign as a prime minister that many Nigerians of my age grew up as proud Nigerians. This was epitomised in the seventies when the government of the then Gen Olusegun Obasanjo decided to nationalise the British Petroleum (BP) by naming it Africa Petroleum (AP). It was a period when we felt proud that we could challenge a powerful colonial master and get away with it. The decision to nationalise the BP perhaps sent a signal to the British and other governments around the world that our country was not to be trifled with.

    The decision led to a softening of the tough stance on the fight against freedom for the southern African countries by Britain. The Iron Lady was humbled. Another memory I have was in the eighties when she visited Nigeria. On that trip a visit to the palace of the Emir of Kano was part of her itinerary. I was then a student at the Bayero University Kano, and the Student Union had mobilised us to the vicinity of the palace to register our protest for the British government’s support for the apartheid regime.

    Although I was unable to join the crowd due to a last minute schedule I remember those who were able to make it there gave the late Thatcher a taste of the anger of the Nigerian student movement.

    In fact, a classmate of mine, a lady to the boot, was able to smuggle herself so near that she threw a raw egg at the visiting prime minster and it fell short of landing on her head but at her feet! It was a serious security breach which led to her arrest, questioning, and detention for a few hours. That was long before these days of terrorists when even we can no longer move near our local leaders not to talk of visiting heads of governments!

    But whichever way it is, Mrs Thatcher has gone down as a leader who is different things to different people. For instance, The Telegraph a day after her death came out with a banner headline saying: ‘The woman who saved the nation’ on the same day The Sun wrote: ‘The woman who divided the nation’. What an epitaph.

    But for me as an African I identify with The Sun. She not only divided her nation she divided the world.

  • Jonathan, Zuma meet on security, economy

    Jonathan, Zuma meet on security, economy

    As the two top leaders in the continent, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday met with his South African counterpart, President Jacob Zuma to brainstorm of the many challenges facing the continent.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa , President Zuma said that he was in Nigeria to consult on many issues concerning the African continent as a whole and the two countries on one hand.

     He said that the discussions between him and President Jonathan have been very fruitful towards repositioning the continent for good.
    Zuma said:“We are here to consult on matters related to the two countries and the African continent. As you know, very soon His Excellency the President will be visiting South Africa on a state visit and therefore, a lot of other issues that will necessarily be dealt with. We thought we needed to consult particularly the situation in the continent.”
    “We have had a very fruitful consultation and we believe that between Nigeria and South Africa, it is important to align and harmonize our thinking on matters that need the countries in the continent to take specific decisions.”
    “Some of the issues raised were issues of security of the continent as you know that there has been some difficulties in a number of the countries. We touched upon those issues and certainly take the issues further when we meet in South Africa.”“But you are also aware that Africa will also be celebrating 50 years of the OAU and African Union establishment in the continent. And the issue really is we need to say what is it that we can look at and look forward beyond that time. We have had a very fruitful discussion.” He added
  • Nigeria partners South Africa on tourism

    Nigeria partners South Africa on tourism

    Nigeria, in partnership with South Africa, has set up the Grand Tower Boutique Hotel in Abuja, said to be coming with a different concept and style of hotel management.

    The Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Hon Nze Chidi Duru disclosed that the hotel is redefining hospitality, with staff knowing the names of guests and making them feel completely at home.

    Duru disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the hotel in Abuja.

    He stated that guests will be so at home that things they should ordinarily do in their house can be done in the hotel.

    On affordability, he said the price rate is not different from other hotels in town, with what is on the ground it is even cheaper than what Abuja residents expect.

    Managing Director, Mentiques Collection, Mr. Peter Shorten said Nigeria and South Africa are in a strong partnership on tourism.

    He said with the way Nigeria is going, it will definitely surpass South Africa in all aspects of the economy by 2014.

    It is obvious that in the whole of Africa, Nigeria is the fastest growing nation at the moment, he said.

    Mentiques collection is presently setting up hotels in other states of the country apart from Abuja and has come to Nigeria to stay, but the only challenge is that the country’s tourism is not as developed as other sectors of the economy.

     

  • Nigeria to site culture centre in South Africa – Minister

    Nigeria to site culture centre in South Africa – Minister

    The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, on Monday said plans were underway to establish a Nigerian Culture and Information Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    A statement signed by Dr Taiwo Oladokun, Special Assistant (Media) to the minister said the centre would be established by the end of the year.

    Explaining why Nigeria decided to site her first culture house in Africa in Johannesburg, the Minister said the decision followed the successful opening and operations of Nigerian Cultural Centres in Brazil and China in 2008 and 2012 respectively.

    “It would also be used to strengthen cultural relations not only with the government and people of South Africa but also with other countries in the southern part of the continent.

    “This choice is also in recognition of the role Nigeria played and continues to play in the history of Southern African countries.

    ‘’ We recall the very elaborate and robust relations between Nigeria and South Africa, especially in the years of struggle against apartheid as well as the leadership role the two countries are playing in the advancement of the cause of Africa globally.’’

    The statement also quoted the minister as saying that the centre would serve the purpose of promoting Nigerian culture while also providing general information about the country.