Nigeria has signed a 10-year visa agreement with South Africa issuing visas to businessmen, academics and frequent travellers, PUNCH reports. Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu disclosed that the agreement was reached during a meeting co-chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari and South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, following the 9th Bi-National Commission of South Africa and Nigeria meeting in Pretoria.
"The decision was taken to encourage more people-to-people contacts among citizens of both countries and further strengthen socio-cultural, economic and political relations," Shehu said.
"At the meeting held at the Union Buildings, Presidential Palace of South Africa, the two presidents agreed on early warning signals to nip violence in the bud before it escalates, while taking into consideration the need to share more intelligence and promote stronger partnership in security.
"Both countries also agreed to re-establish the consular forum, which is a structured arrangement where both governments meet regularly, at least twice in a year, to discuss the welfare of citizens.
"The Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, and the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor, signed the minutes of the 9th session of the Bi-National Commission," Shehu added.
Speaking, President Buhari urged Nigerians living in South Africa to be law-abiding and also respect the authorities of other countries, adding that Nigerians in the Diaspora should always remember their country with skills, resources, and talents as well as be good ambassadors of Nigeria.
Leaders of Nigerian communities in South Africa thanked the president for his visit and assured him they would be more careful with their conducts and peacefully coexist with South Africans. They also commended the CEO of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama for the selfless act of evacuating Nigerians from South Africa during the recent xenophobic attacks.
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