Press Releases

Fashola Gives Recipe For Peace And Security In Africa

Mar 16, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Monday called for improvement in the leadership selection process in Africa as a recipe for the sustenance of peace and security in the Continent.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Lagos House, Alausa while receiving the South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, emphasized that the peace and security needed for economic growth in the Continent could only be achieved if the political platform is stable.

“The process of leadership selection must be done in a manner that meets world best practices”, Governor Fashola said pointing out that it is the process of selection that creates the political platform upon which peace and security could thrive.

According to him, “It is the political platform that decides the level of peace and security”, adding that it is only in an atmosphere of peace and security that business and other economic and social activities could thrive for the benefit of the people.

Citing Ghana as a good example of a country in Africa where leadership selection has been commendable, the Governor declared, “Ghana has shown a good example that it can be done here. The Colonialists have gone. It is left to us to show that we can manage our own affairs”.

The Governor commended the existing relations between Nigeria and South Africa saying the relationship, which, according to him, covers both economic and bilateral trade, has been beneficial to both countries.

Recalling a Federal Government delegation which visited South Africa last year, Governor Fashola said the visit led by President Umar Musa Yar’Adua himself, was a demonstration of the close ties between the two countries.

Governor Fashola pointed out that there are enormous opportunities for further cooperation between the two nations, especially in the areas of medium and small scale industrial development , adding that such areas that could come for immediate exploration include farming and dairy products.

According to the Governor, “Beyond these areas, the telecommunication industry, banking and other frontiers of cooperation are growing”, pointing out that Lagos as the hub of the Nigerian economy, presents enormous opportunities for investment in the country.

Governor Fashola commended South Africa for being the first African country to host the World Cup, saying Nigeria would do all in her power to support South Africa to make the hosting successful.

Wishing the High Commissioner a happy sand successful tenure in Nigeria, Governor Fashola declared, “We had a wonderful relationship with your predecessor. We hope to have even a better relationship with you”.

Earlier in his remarks, the High Commissioner said his visit was to discuss a number of issues of common interest with Governor Fashola, adding that the issues concerned how the already very cordial relationship existing between Nigeria and South Africa could be made even better.

The High Commissioner, who described Nigeria and South Africa as two big countries in the African Continent, pointed out that the responsibility was on the two countries to provide exemplary leadership for the Continent.

According to the High Commissioner, as a result of the responsibility, the two nations have enormous role to play within the United Nations and other international fora as representatives of the African Continent.

Beyond this role the High Commissioner said, there is also the need to strengthen the existing political, economic and other relations already existing between the two countries.

The High Commissioner, who also acknowledged the role Nigeria played in support of the overthrow of apartheid in South Africa, said there are a vast number of areas of cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa. Such areas, he pointed out include Tourism, Commerce and Industry, Physical Planning and Urban Development,

Citing South Africa’s development in Tourism and the desire to introduce South African investors into Lagos as well as offer technical expertise in infrastructure development, the High Commissioner expressed interest in having twining Lagos and a South African Province.

The High Commissioner came on the visit with the South African Consul in Lagos, Mr. Peter Malepe and the Economic Counselor, Mrs. Louisa Bouthelezi.

Also present at the courtesy visit were members of the State Executive Council, including the Commissioners for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations and Physical Planning and Urban Development.