The Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national Commission (BNC) 10th Year Anniversary celebration which took place in Abuja between November 12 and 14, 2009 marked yet another significant step in building a strong political and socio economic relationships between the two countries.

With a theme "Nigeria and South Africa in partnership for a better Africa" the celebration served as a big booster for the socio-economic cum political integration of the entire African continent.

The Nigeria- South Africa Bi- national Commission was established in Abuja on 4th October, 1999 to explore opportunities for investments co-operation. Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, while reviewing the gains so far, noted that "It is reassuring that the dream embedded in the establishment of the Commission 10 years ago is gradually being realized".

Nigeria's Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who declared open on Friday, the business round table session of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria South Africa Bi-National Commission BNC, blamed the limited involvement of both countries' organized private sector for the little success of the inter-ministerial agreements signed between Nigeria and South Africa.

He therefore, stressed the need for more constructive engagements between Nigerian businessmen and their South African counterparts to enable both countries benefit from their enormous economic opportunities. He also called on the organized private sectors to help the two governments in making the right policies that will advance the course of

business between the two countries.

"Agreements between government ministries and departments are of little or no effect without the introduction invsetible private capital. It is for this reason that we have seized the opportunity of this anniversary to bring together business leaders from our two countries to eliberate on how they can give teeth to the agreements signed by the government of Nigeria and South Africa". he stated.

Vice President Jonathan, who highlighted some of the challenges faced by Nigerian business men to include the imbalanced business opportunities in favour of South Africa

businesses, little opportunities for Nigerian businessmen to o real business in South Africa, discriminatory obstacles against Nigerian businessmen and visitors, also urged participants to come up with practicable solutions to the problem.

"Not engaging with one another is not an option. Engage we must; with mutual respect as partners in progress, with mutual appreciation as brothers and with common purpose of improving the lives of the citizens of South Africa and Nigeria and the people of African continent".

He noted that the Nigeria South Africa Bi-National Commission BNC, which was established in Abuja on 4th of October, 1999, to articulate and promote trade relations

between Nigeria and South Africa have discussed some 33Agreements, protocols and Memorandum of Understanding and signed 22 of them.

Most of the agreements, he said , have not worked because of lack of support from the organized private sector

He however noted that "Agreements between services such as Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Customs, the Standards Organizations, the Intelligence and Security outfits have proved more functional than those between line-function

ministries and departments".

Also speaking at the occasion, President of the African Business Roundtable and Chairman of NEPAD Business Group, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, called on South Africa's Electricity Regulatory Association to explore the opportunities for cooperation in the supply of power to Nigeria.

He disclosed that the African Business Roundtable and NEPAD Business Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global E- Management System of the United States of America to utilize ECOMARINE SEATRADE to realize the objectives of linking up the shipping Route between Nigeria and South Africa.

In the last ten years, the BNC ensured regular consultations at the level of the Foreign Ministers of both countries as well as co-operation in public enterprises, infrastructure, trade, industry, finance, defence, as well as security matters.

In the area of air services, Bellview Airlines commenced three weekly direct flights between Lagos and Johannesburg in February, 2009, while Arik Airlines commenced daily flights on the same route in June, 2009. South African Airways also operate daily flights between the two cities while it has plans to extend its services to Abuja. These modest achievements no doubt have helped to strengthen the spirit of co-operation between citizens of the two countries and remove the feelings of hatred that emanated from the alleged hostilities against Nigerians in South Africa.

It is therefore, a welcome news that the partnership has begun to bear fruits.

Nigeria and South Africa currently enjoy strategic positions with enormous resources in south of the Sahara and could be the pivot on which the overall development and

integration of the entire continent can swing and this is in addition to the grand vision of the triangle of an African development which encompasses Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt in the north based on the concept of Abuja-Pretoria-Cairo Triangle of African integration.

As part of the activities to mark the tenth year anniversary, the BNC organized business round table, trade exhibition, and fashion show as well as youth forum involving youths from Nigeria and South Africa. The youth forum discussed issues such as gender, leadership, entrepreneurship as well as HIV/ AIDS.

The visitors were on Thursday night also treated to the best of Nigerian hospitality at a cocktail party where the best of Nigeria

cuisines from the six geopolitical zones were served to the obvious delight of the appreciative guests.

On hand to entertain the guests were selected traditional cultural groups like the Jarawa and the Atilogu dancers. The event which took place at the open terrace of the banquette hall, presidential Villa heralded the mini trade exhibitions showcasing the huge economic potentials of both countries.

It is in this broad context that fostering of Nigeria-South Africa Bilateral Commission should be seen as a salutary move. The partnership should be nurtured because of this immense potential which it has for taking Africa out of its socio- economic woods.

Taking stock of the activities of the BNC so far after ten years of existence shows that both Nigeria and South Africa are gradually taking advantage of the partnership .Nigeria also appears poised to reap some benefits in the areas of culture and tourism; science and technology and Water Resources development.

These are beside collaborations in the areas of heath such as combating HIV/AIDS and Malaria which are posing formidable challenges to growth and development on the African continent.

Recent trade statistics show that South Africa's export to Nigeria grew fromUS$516 million in 1999 to more than US$2.9 Billion in 2005.Nigeria's export over the same period grew from a paltry US$1.2Million to US$5.1Billion.

South Africa no doubt still has an edge over Nigeria in this partnership for the obvious reasons of its enhanced enabling environment. For example, as at the last count, no fewer than 55 South African companies, including leading telecommunications giant MTN, pay television company, Multichoice and power company, ESKOM, are operating in Nigeria.

This is why Nigerian manufacturers must improve the quality of their products so that they can meet internationally competitive standards just the federal government has the

greater task of providing the enabling environment for producing quality products.

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's visit to South Africa on 2nd to 4th of June 2008 marked a new beginning in the Nigerian South African relationship when together with his then South African counterpart; former President Thambo Mbeki opened a new frontier with the establishment of the Joint Presidential Advisory Council on Investment also known as the JPACI.

As a follow up to the development, a Review Council meeting was held in Abuja on the 24th of February, 2009 at which it was agreed that a 4- tier structure modeled along the lines of the Nigeria- Niger Joint Commission be established.

The structure has the Review Council, which will be meeting once every year, the Council of Ministers, Special Implementation Committee (SIC) and the Permanent Secretariat.

It was also agreed that the Permanent Secretariat will be based in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, with two Senior Officials seconded by each side.

South Africa was asked to produce the Secretary General and Nigeria, the Deputy.

Both countries were mandated to designate an Officer to handle BNC matters in their respective High Commissions in each others capital, just as the Senior Special Assistant (Economic Matters) in the Office of Nigeria's Vice President and the Special Advisor in the office of the South African Deputy President shall continue to oversea the activities of the BNC.