Monthly Archives: September 2019

0

9TH SESSION OF NIGERIA/SOUTH AFRICA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION COMMENCE 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2019

|

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
_ __

PRESS RELEASE

No: MFA/PR/2019/48

9TH SESSION OF NIGERIA/SOUTH AFRICA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION COMMENCE 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2019

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the Senior Officials/ Experts Meeting of the 9th Session of Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission is scheduled to hold from Thursday 26th to Friday 27th September, 2019 in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s, Rietondale, Pretoria, South Africa.

The Nigeria/South Africa Joint Commission was established in 1999 to promote relations between both countries and it 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 about to be further upgraded to the Summit level on 3rd October, 2019.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mustapha L. Sulaiman will lead the Nigerian Delegation as Co-Chair at the Senior Officials / Experts Meeting.

The Ministerial Meeting of the Bi-National Commission scheduled for Wednesday 2nd October, 2019 would be co-chaired by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and his South African counterpart Dr. GNM Pandor. Also in attendance would be the Honourable Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment among others.

The preparatory meeting would focus on consolidation of the subsisting signed Agreements/MoUs, explore the possibility of strengthening relations in the area of Defence and Security, Political, Economic and Energy sector. Other areas of common interest include negotiations on pending agreements on matters of mutual cooperation, focal amongst which would be, Diplomatic Consultation and Early Warning System against Xenophobia, etc.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to pay a State Visit to South Africa on the 3rd of October, 2019, at the invitation of the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Signed

Ferdinand Nwonye
Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja

Wednesday, 25 September, 2019

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Amb. Mustapha Lawal Sulaiman with the High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa, Ambassador Kabiru Bala. At the Nigeria/South Africa 9th Session of the Bi-National Commission in Pretoria, South Africa
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Amb. Mustapha Lawal Sulaiman
0

SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING OF 9TH SESSION OF NIGERIA/SOUTH AFRICA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION COMMENCE 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2019

|

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
_ __

PRESS RELEASE

No: MFA/PR/2019/48

SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING OF 9TH SESSION OF NIGERIA/SOUTH AFRICA BI-NATIONAL COMMISSION COMMENCE 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2019

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the Senior Officials/ Experts Meeting of the 9th Session of Nigeria/South Africa Bi-National Commission is scheduled to hold from Thursday 26th to Friday 27th September, 2019 in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s, Rietondale, Pretoria, South Africa.

The Nigeria/South Africa Joint Commission was established in 1999 to promote relations between both countries and it 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 about to be further upgraded to the Summit level on 3rd October, 2019.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mustapha L. Sulaiman will lead the Nigerian Delegation as Co-Chair at the Senior Officials / Experts Meeting.

The Ministerial Meeting of the Bi-National Commission scheduled for Wednesday 2nd October, 2019 would be co-chaired by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and his South African counterpart Dr. GNM Pandor. Also in attendance would be the Honourable Minister of Interior and Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment among others.

The preparatory meeting would focus on consolidation of the subsisting signed Agreements/MoUs, explore the possibility of strengthening relations in the area of Defence and Security, Political, Economic and Energy sector. Other areas of common interest include negotiations on pending agreements on matters of mutual cooperation, focal amongst which would be, Diplomatic Consultation and Early Warning System against Xenophobia, etc.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to pay a State Visit to South Africa on the 3rd of October, 2019, at the invitation of the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

Signed

Ferdinand Nwonye
Spokesperson,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja

Wednesday, 25 September, 2019

0

PRESS RELEASE No: MFA/PR/2019/47

|

PRESS RELEASE
No: MFA/PR/2019/47
It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a statement credited to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila in which he is alleged to have charged that Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs refused to appear before the House plenary and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to brief
them on his efforts to address the plight of Nigerians in the Republic of South Africa and that he would take punitive measures against him and report him to the President.

pr2019mfa47-press-release-1Download

The Ministry wishes to inform the public that there is no iota of truth whatsoever in such a charge. The truth of the matter is that by a letter dated September 9, 2019, by the Chief of Staff to the Hon. Speaker, the Minister of Foreign Affairs was invited to a meeting with the Leadership of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at 11.00am in the Hon. Speaker’s Office. By letter dated September 10, 2019, the Office of
the Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote to the Chief of Staff to the Hon. Speaker, informing him that the Minister would be in the weekly Meeting of the Federal Executive Council at that time, and that he looked forward to a meeting at a time to be mutually agreed on.

The Ministry is by this Press Release informing that the Honorable Minister and the Ministry respects the institution of the National Assembly.

Signed
Ferdinand Nwonye
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Wednesday, 18 September, 2019

0

The President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Dame Dr Esther Uduehi, paid a courtesy visit on Dr Beatrice A Reaud,

|

The President of the league of women Voters of Nigeria, Dame Dr Esther Uduehi, paid a courtesy visit on Dr Beatrice A Reaud,
Democracy Officer of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) . Highlight was to introduce the league, her mission and vision to the agency. In attendance were the National secretary Barr Chinwe Olarewaju, and the Chairperson FCT Chapter Dr Regina Omo-Agege. Mute Olori reporting.

0

Demand for Immediate Release of Ekere and Adequate Compensation

|

The management and staff of Weekenders magazine demand immediate release of Comrade Ekere and adequate compensation.

We call on The Executive Governor of the State, H. E. Emmanuel Udom, who is a respecter of Human Rights to call his staff to order as an injury to one journalist is an injury to all.
We equally expect immediate release of Ekere and adequate compensation by his government.

0

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, GEOFFREY ONYEAMA TO LEAD NIGERIAN DELEGATION TO MINISTERIAL MEETING OF EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT OF ECOWAS HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT ON FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

|

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja wishes to inform that, the Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama will lead Nigerian Delegation to the Ministerial Meeting of the Extraordinary Summit Of ECOWAS Authority Of Heads of State and Government scheduled for Thursday 12th September 2019 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The theme of the Extraordinary summit is “Fight Against Terrorism’.

President Mohammadu Buhari will attend the Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Saturday 14th September, 2019.

Signed

Ferdinand Nwonye,
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja

Wednesday 11th September, 2019

0

Evacuation of Nigerians in South Africa Commences By Joy Idam Ajah

|

Be informed that details of the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa tomorrow! Wednesday 11 September 2019 is as follows:

The Air peace aircraft will depart Johannesburg at 9am local time.

Expected time of arrival in Lagos Nigeria is 2pm local time.

They will be received on arrival by senior officials of the Ministry of Affairs. Estimated number of Nigerians for the first batch is 300.

The management of Weekenders magazine, especially appreciate the CEO of Air Peace, who donated his airline for evacuation of stranded Nigerians.

We call upon great philanthropists in the nation to come to the aide of this Nigerians who have lost everything to enable them reintegrate easily.

We appreciate the ministry for prompt action this time. We equally call on men of God from both faith to counsel them that all hope is not LOST.

0

SPECIAL ENVOY OF MR. PRESIDENT DEPARTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA FOR CRUCIAL MEETING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT

|

PRESS RELEASE
No: MFA/PR/2019/43

SPECIAL ENVOY OF MR. PRESIDENT DEPARTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA FOR CRUCIAL MEETING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that following the recent unfortunate xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa, President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched a Special Envoy who is on his way to South Africa.

The Special Envoy will be received on arrival by the High Commissioner of Nigeria to South Africa together with the Consul General and they will proceed for crucial meetings with high-level South African officials on all aspects of the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

The Special Envoy and the High Commissioner will provide President Muhammadu Buhari with a comprehensive briefing on the situation in South Africa and on the outcome of their meetings.

The Ministry also wishes to inform that Mission in South Africa has authoritatively informed that no Nigerian life was lost during the latest crisis. The general public should therefore disregard social media clips claiming otherwise.

Signed

Ferdinand Nwonye
Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja
Thursday, 5 September, 2019