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Buhari, Ramaphosa Vow To End Xenophobic Attacks
President Muhammadu Buhari and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, have vowed to put an end to xenophobic and reprisal attacks in South Africa and Nigeria, respectively.
The call follows a series of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, a development that prompted reprisal attacks in Nigeria.
Both countries also agreed on the commencement of the Early Warning Mechanism mooted by the Federal Government last year through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
The Early Warning Mechanism, according to Onyeama, in a September 1 interview, is “essentially to have a framework for the main protagonists, the main actors to meet regularly – the South African Police at the highest level, with the Nigerian High Commissioner, the Consul General, the Foreign Affairs and the Justice Department.”
In a joint communique issued on the state visit of Buhari to South Africa and the inaugural session of the elevated Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday, Buhari and Ramaphosa reviewed a wide range of bilateral, continental and global issues of common interest.
The two presidents acknowledged the historical and strategic relations that exist between the two countries, even as they took note of the need to further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation.
Buhari and Ramaphosa further noted with satisfaction the continued exchange of high level visits and meetings between the two countries, recalling the successful working visit of Ramaphosa to Nigeria in July, 2018, during which the two Heads of State reaffirmed their collective desire and commitment to enhance political, economic and social relations between the two countries.
The two presidents appreciated the vast nature of the two countries’ bilateral cooperation which covers, amongst other areas, trade and investment, energy, mining, defence and security issues, justice, police, immigration, tourism, environment, education, transport as well as science and technology.
Buhari and Ramaphosa also took note of the thirty two signed agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and committed themselves to ensuring that those which are in force are fully implemented, while those which are not yet in force are to be revived for implementation.
They further noted with great satisfaction the economic cooperation between the two republics and welcomed the steps to increase trade volumes, as well as private sector investments.
“President Ramaphosa used the opportunity of the meeting to brief President Buhari on the recent incidents of violence in South Africa affecting foreign nationals. He also alluded to the fact that these unfortunate incidents are not consistent with the values and principles underpinning South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
“President Ramaphosa also dispelled the notion that incidents of violence affecting foreign nationals were targeted at Nigerian nationals, as other foreign nationals and indeed, South Africans were affected as well. The President assured his counterpart that the South African Government was fully in control of the situation and several interventions, including engagements with diplomatic community and émigré communities, security operations; policy and legislation reviews were underway.
“Both Presidents strongly condemned the attacks against foreign nationals, including Nigerians in South Africa and the reprisal actions against South Africans and their interests in Nigeria. They expressed strong commitment to take all necessary measures to stop a recurrence of these attacks which they said, undermine the vision of a strong and prosperous Africa that the two countries have for the continent,” the communique read.
Ramaphosa, however, added that South Africa was an integral part of the African continent and advocated for a peaceful, vibrant and sustainable Africa.
He said as Africans “we all have a shared commitment to foster peace and greater continental unity.
“He further stated that we should never forget that our fellow Africans have contributed to developing our economy and that of the region and similarly, South Africans are helping to develop economies across the continent.
“Both Presidents condemned these violent incidents and the destruction of property and reiterated their call for heightened law enforcement. They stressed the importance of high level engagements on this unfortunate phenomenon as demonstrated by the reciprocal dispatch of special envoys by both countries. In this regard, the two presidents endorsed the establishment of an Early Warning Mechanism and directed the two foreign ministers to give practical expression to the Early Warning Mechanism to be used as a preventative and monitoring platform.
“The two presidents further endorsed the reestablishment of the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria consular forum to meet twice a year,” the statement further read.
On global issues, Buhari and Ramaphosa exchanged views on the current political, economic and security situation in their respective regions.
They further expressed serious concern as a result of the ongoing instability in some countries on the African continent, while strongly condemning the continued terrorist and extremist activities.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together in pursuit of sustainable peace and economic development on the continent in the context of AU Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
“On the international front, President Ramaphosa seized the opportunity of the meeting to congratulate Nigeria as the current Chair of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In the same vein, President Buhari also congratulated South Africa as the President of United Nations Security Council for the month of October, 2019 and as the upcoming chair of the African Union for the year 2020. They reiterated their call for the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
The Presidency has dismissed circulating social media reports alleging that kitchen staff at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa were arrested over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Tinubu.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the clarification yesterday on his official X account where he shared a video of the report and categorically denied it.
The video purportedly shows activity at the presidential villa, accompanied by a voiceover reporting the incident.
The video claimed, “Today we examine reports surrounding the shocking arrest of a presidential chef over an alleged plot to poison President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an incident that has prompted swift intervention by a special police squad and triggered heightened security measures within the presidential environment.
“According to preliminary information from security sources, the arrest followed intelligence alerts suggesting suspicious activities connected to food preparation procedures within restricted areas linked to presidential operations.
“Authorities moved quickly after receiving credible reports that indicated a possible threat to the safety of the president, leading to a coordinated investigation involving specialised security personnel tasked with protecting national leadership.
The video added, Officials emphasized that the operation was carried out professionally and discreetly to avoid public panic while ensuring that all potential risks were neutralised.
“The suspect, identified as a member of kitchen staff attached to presidential services, was reportedly taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining evidence and verifying claims connected to the alleged poisoning attempt.
“Security agencies have urged the public to remain calm, stressing that the investigation remains ongoing and that allegations do not automatically imply guilt until due process.”
However, Onanuga dismissed the report as baseless fake news.
He wrote, “No Aso Rock kitchen staff arrested. No Aso Rock kitchen staff attempted to poison President Tinubu. Please ignore this fake news being disseminated by this video.”
As of the time of going to the Press authorities have not provided further details on the origin of the misleading video or potential motives behind its circulation.
Iranian state television yesterday confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, without referring to a massive US and Israeli attack on his residence.
A presenter on state television announced Khamenei’s death at 5:00 am (0130 GMT), as the channel broadcast archive images with a black banner as a sign of mourning.
Khamenei, 86, had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.
US President, Donald Trump, had on Saturday said that Khamenei had been killed in air strikes, though there has been no confirmation from Tehran.
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
“This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”
Trump said the Iranian leader had been “unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems.”
The US President said the death of Khamenei gave Iranians their “greatest chance” to “take back their country.”
“We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces no longer want to fight and are looking for Immunity from us.
“As I said last night, Now they can have immunity, later they only get death! Hopefully, the IRGC and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves.
“That process should soon start in that, not only the death of Khamenei but the country has been, in only one day, very much destroyed and, even, obliterated.
“The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world!” Trump posted.
However, China has strongly condemned the attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson condemned the killing yesterday when asked to comment on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader in the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Saturday in Tehran.
The attack and killing of Iran’s supreme leader is a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, said the spokesperson, adding that it tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms in international relations.
China urges for an immediate stop to the military operations, no further escalation of the tense situation and joint effort to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East and the world at large, the spokesperson added.
The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has urged Nigerians, particularly women, to recognise that leadership exists at every level of society and that everyone is a leader within their own space.
Banigo made this call in Port Harcourt at the weekend during her Induction/Decoration as an AWLO Life Patroness, Unveiling of AWLO’s 2026 Magazine and Relaunch of the Rivers State Chapter.
Speaking with newsmen after the induction, the former Rivers State Deputy Governor emphasised the importance of nurturing and mentoring young girls, warning that neglecting the girl-child comes with far-reaching consequences for society.
According to her, investing in the growth and development of young girls is crucial to building a responsible and progressive nation.
“Well, everybody, to be honest with you, is a leader in their own space. If you lose your girlhood, you have lost your life. That is why it is important to catch them young,” she said.
“All my life, I have worked with young women because I believe that as we mentor them, they are meant to learn from us for the fulfilment of their God-given purpose,” she added.
The lawmaker further stressed the need for urgent and deliberate steps to ensure women are not left behind in national development, noting that any neglect of women ultimately affects the entire system and the larger society.
She highlighted education, healthcare, and skills acquisition as critical areas of focus, while calling for sustained efforts to keep girls in school and enable them to advance as far as their abilities permit.
Banigo also underscored the need for improved healthcare facilities to prevent maternal mortality and deaths from preventable diseases, while also advocating for vocational training and skill development opportunities for girl child.
According to her, raising responsible girls ultimately leads to building responsible adults and, by extension, a stronger and more purposeful society.
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