PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Jonathan tasks African leaders to check proliferation of smal arms, light weapons
Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - Noting that many African countries are faced with the challenges of terrorism and other acts of violence which compound security problems across national and regional borders, President Goodluck Jonathan said Tuesday that African leaders must commit to the plan to check the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
In an address to the South African Parliament in Cape Town, a copy of which was received here by PANA, President Jonathan said the production, circulation and use of arms and weapons posed a serious threat to political stability and the safety and welfare of the people.
On the economy, President Jonathan said "Our two countries are placed in a unique position to lead all of Africa to the promised land where poverty, inequality, want, disease, communal and inter-state conflicts would largely be a thing of the past," saying that South Africa and Nigeria, with their robust economies and large markets, were well placed to accelerate the emergence of "this Renaissance Africa".
Regarding bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa, President Jonathan noted: "We already have a mechanism established to drive our bilateral relations in all its ramifications. It is heartening to know that our Bi-National Commission which functions at a very high level is successful. In this connection, as we continue the implementation of my country’s transformation agenda, I am happy to report that the outlook on Nigeria’s economy remains positive with strong fundamentals.
"Our Bi-National Commission must, however, begin to pay careful attention to the need for balance of trade between our two countries in order to make our economic interactions truly beneficial."
He disclosed that Nigeria’s growth rate, which averaged nearly 7% over the past five years, is expected to reach 7.2% in 2013, quoting IMF forecasts.
Noting that the growth rate makes Nigeria one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Nigerian leader said South Africa had become a major investor in the Nigerian economy.
He said that South African companies like the MTN, Standard Bank, Multichoice, Multilinks, the Protea hotel chain, Shoprite, among others, are actively engaged and are actually thriving in virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy from telecommunications to power, education, aviation, construction, hospitality, entertainment and retail trade.
He acknowledged that Nigerians are also active in the South African economy.
President Jonathan said the two countries had not been found wanting as can be seen in their leadership of the respective sub-regions as well as to the continent as a whole.
"We in Nigeria are committed to doing more to discharge the responsibilities that providence has placed on us. I have no doubts that South Africa will also continue to do the same," the Nigerian leader suggested.
On the international fora, President Jonathan lamented the non-representation of Africa in certain organs of the global governance architecture, notably the permanent membership category of the United Nations Security Council.
"For a start," he said "it is important that we work together to ensure that the reform of the United Nations system is accorded the priority it deserves and resolved speedily. The commitment of all Africans should be to strengthen Africa’s place in the United Nations. It is not a matter of competition but putting Africa in the best light."
Projecting into the future, President Jonathan said "I see ground for optimism and hope. I see an Africa on the rise, an Africa that is resilient, upbeat and confident about its capacity to handle its challenges. All we need is to mobilise the required political will and to be relentless in our quest to achieve our collective dream.
"Acting together, we have already achieved milestones that some thought were impossible such as ridding our continent of the triple scourges of colonialism, racism and apartheid."
He said his presence in South Africa signals "a spirit of the renewal of our partnership. Together, we will make Africa great. Leadership comes with sacrifices. As leaders in Africa, we must commit ourselves to break down barriers and foster regional trade and integration.
"We must build stronger and more resilient economies to create jobs and unleash hope for millions of our people. The dark periods are over, a new era has begun."
President Jonathan, on a state visit to South Africa where he will also attend the World Economic Forum on Africa, will leave South Africa for Namibia Thursday for a one-day state visit.
-0- PANA PR/VAO 7May2013
In an address to the South African Parliament in Cape Town, a copy of which was received here by PANA, President Jonathan said the production, circulation and use of arms and weapons posed a serious threat to political stability and the safety and welfare of the people.
On the economy, President Jonathan said "Our two countries are placed in a unique position to lead all of Africa to the promised land where poverty, inequality, want, disease, communal and inter-state conflicts would largely be a thing of the past," saying that South Africa and Nigeria, with their robust economies and large markets, were well placed to accelerate the emergence of "this Renaissance Africa".
Regarding bilateral relations between Nigeria and South Africa, President Jonathan noted: "We already have a mechanism established to drive our bilateral relations in all its ramifications. It is heartening to know that our Bi-National Commission which functions at a very high level is successful. In this connection, as we continue the implementation of my country’s transformation agenda, I am happy to report that the outlook on Nigeria’s economy remains positive with strong fundamentals.
"Our Bi-National Commission must, however, begin to pay careful attention to the need for balance of trade between our two countries in order to make our economic interactions truly beneficial."
He disclosed that Nigeria’s growth rate, which averaged nearly 7% over the past five years, is expected to reach 7.2% in 2013, quoting IMF forecasts.
Noting that the growth rate makes Nigeria one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the Nigerian leader said South Africa had become a major investor in the Nigerian economy.
He said that South African companies like the MTN, Standard Bank, Multichoice, Multilinks, the Protea hotel chain, Shoprite, among others, are actively engaged and are actually thriving in virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy from telecommunications to power, education, aviation, construction, hospitality, entertainment and retail trade.
He acknowledged that Nigerians are also active in the South African economy.
President Jonathan said the two countries had not been found wanting as can be seen in their leadership of the respective sub-regions as well as to the continent as a whole.
"We in Nigeria are committed to doing more to discharge the responsibilities that providence has placed on us. I have no doubts that South Africa will also continue to do the same," the Nigerian leader suggested.
On the international fora, President Jonathan lamented the non-representation of Africa in certain organs of the global governance architecture, notably the permanent membership category of the United Nations Security Council.
"For a start," he said "it is important that we work together to ensure that the reform of the United Nations system is accorded the priority it deserves and resolved speedily. The commitment of all Africans should be to strengthen Africa’s place in the United Nations. It is not a matter of competition but putting Africa in the best light."
Projecting into the future, President Jonathan said "I see ground for optimism and hope. I see an Africa on the rise, an Africa that is resilient, upbeat and confident about its capacity to handle its challenges. All we need is to mobilise the required political will and to be relentless in our quest to achieve our collective dream.
"Acting together, we have already achieved milestones that some thought were impossible such as ridding our continent of the triple scourges of colonialism, racism and apartheid."
He said his presence in South Africa signals "a spirit of the renewal of our partnership. Together, we will make Africa great. Leadership comes with sacrifices. As leaders in Africa, we must commit ourselves to break down barriers and foster regional trade and integration.
"We must build stronger and more resilient economies to create jobs and unleash hope for millions of our people. The dark periods are over, a new era has begun."
President Jonathan, on a state visit to South Africa where he will also attend the World Economic Forum on Africa, will leave South Africa for Namibia Thursday for a one-day state visit.
-0- PANA PR/VAO 7May2013
