16th July, 2023
By Victor Adeoti
Mr Bola Babarinde, a former Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), South Africa Chapter, has called on President Bola Tinubu to engender a stronger relationship with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, to promote economic growth.
Babarinde in a statement on Sunday said for Africa to be respected and regain its place among the rest of the continents, “African countries must respect and love themselves unconditionally.”
“For this to happen, the mutual relationship and understanding among African leaders must be genuine, with great love for one another, mutually beneficial and not parasitic.
“We must cooperate, open up to ourselves, trust each other and channel a common progressive path, where dignity and betterment of lives will be given to the citizens.
“By promoting trade and commerce within the continent across borders to boost local economies and stabilising the continent.
“The above can only be achieved if the giant countries of Nigeria and South Africa decide today to cooperate and work together for African emancipation.
“But for this to happen, the mutual relationship and understanding must be genuine with great love for one another.
“President William Ruto of Kenya is on this, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, has been vocal about it; and if Nigeria and South Africa governments can cooperate and work together, the Africa continent will be great for it,” he said.
Babarinde, also the General Secretary of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, urged President Tinubu to appoint a diplomat with empathy for humanity as ambassador to South Africa.
He suggested that a diplomat should be considered from the pool of those with adequate knowledge of South Africa with love for both countries.
“A patriotic ambassador must be considered, a diplomat with empathy for humanity and committed to fostering cooperation,” Babarinde said.
(NAN)