As a way of cementing bilateral relations between Nigeria ans South Africa, the South African government has granted Air Peace Airlines’ request to commence commercial flights to Johannesburg.
This is coming on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari’s departure Wednesday on a three-day state visit to South Africa.
The visit of one of Nigeria’s responses to the zenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, which has resulted in evacuation of 502 Nigerians resident in that country back home.
Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ferdinard Nwoye, who stated this in a statement in Abuja Monday, said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the South African government has granted request for the Nigerian designated airline, Air Peace, to commence commercial flights to Johannesburg, South Africa.
“The confirmation was granted in the process of ascertaining the level of implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and South Africa at the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the 9th Session of the Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit in Pretoria, South Africa on Friday, September 27.
“The proprietor of Air Peace Airlines, Chief Allen Onyema, has also confirmed that the airline would commence operation as soon as possible to promote air travel between Nigeria and South Africa.
The bi-national meeting focused on consolidation of the subsisting signed agreements/MoUs between both countries
The Nigeria-South Africa Joint Commission was established in 1999 to promote relations between both countries and was upgraded to Bi-National Commission, BNC, in 2001.
To showcase the strategic nature of the relationship between the two very important countries, the commission is expected to be further upgraded to the Summit level on October 3.
Meanwhile, Muhammadu Buhari is expected to depart Abuja Wednesday for a three-day state visit to South Africa.
President Buhari’s visit to South Africa is to honour the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss welfare of Nigerians and find common grounds for building harmonious relations with their hosts.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja Tuesday, said the visit came against the background of recent xenophobic attacks, the evacuation of hundreds of Nigerians and the exchange of visits by special envoys of Presidents Buhari and Ramaphosa.
The statement noted that while in South Africa, President Buhari would hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians living in the country, with a view to sharing in their experiences and reassuring them of the federal government’s commitment to working for the protection of their lives and property and promoting peaceful co-existence.
President Buhari and his host will preside over the South Africa/Nigeria Bi-National Commission, during which a progress report will be presented and a joint communique by both leaders issued.
The President and his delegation, including Nigerian business representatives, will also participate in a South Africa-Nigeria Business Forum with their host counterparts.
President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.
Others are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi, retd; Minister of Power, Engr. Saleh Mamman; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite; Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; and Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagum.
Also on the trip are the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno, retd; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Chairman/CEO Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa. The President is expected back in the country on Friday.
Recall that the Nigerian government has insisted that South Africa must pay compensation to Nigerians displaced as a result of xenophobic attacks.
