Lagos at 50: South African official greets state, calls for unity
– Darkey Ephraim Africa, the South African consul-general in Lagos state, visited the state House of Assembly
– Africa spoke with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and some members of the state House of Assembly telling them his country’s plans
The South African consul-general in Lagos state, Darkey Ephraim Africa, has disclosed that his country is ready to work with Lagos in a symbiotic relationship that would promote the state and his country.
Africa said this when he visited Speaker Mudashiru Obasa in his office at the Lagos state House of Assembly on Monday, August 5, 2016.
Speaker Obasa hands Africa a gift
He noted that with Lagos state celebrating its 50th anniversary, South Africa was prepared to work with the state which he described as “wonderful.”
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According to him, South Africa and Nigeria share a lot in common and it would thus be easy to get the relationship strengthened.
Speaker Obasa and Hon Bisi Yusuff, a lawmaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly, during Africa’s visit
Discussion time: Africa and Mudashiru Obasa
“We partner for the benefit of the two cities. We know that Lagos is celebrating its 50 years anniversary, we wish all the people of Lagos the best as they celebrate, we will be there to support the city.
“As Africans, we enhance people to people interaction so that the two countries can benefit. But, we can also build more collaborations between the people of the two countries,” he told journalists at the event.
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“We thought it is necessary to come and make visit to the speaker as we do with the state governor and because we are hosted here by Lagos state.
“We also want the people to know why we are here and what we can do together within the context of our bilateral relationship.
“We have a lot to learn from ourselves,” he added.
The guest, Obasa and some top officials of the state House of Assembly
In his response, Speaker Obasa agreed that Lagos and South Africa actually needed a common course.
“Our government is a responsible and responsive one,” he said adding that the state House had made a number of laws for the benefit of the people and to create enabling environment for business to thrive in the state.
“The governor has just signed the property protection bill and I want to assure would-be investors that there is a law to protect their properties in the state.
“In the same vein, we have just signed the neighbourhood safety bill into law. You know where there is no security, you don’t expect investors.
“We assure the people that would come that while in Lagos, they are well protected.
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“We also have the child rights law that is aimed to protect the rights of children. We also have the domestic violence law. We are so particular about the people of the state.
“I am happy with the fact that we are the two big brothers in Africa. There is therefore the need for us to channel a part of economic development away from where we are coming from and where we would encourage commerce between African countries to improve our GDP.
“Lagos state is open to would-be investors and we also need to collaborate on legislative business. It is a relationship that we must cherish,” he said.
Among the laws so far passed by the House in 2016 and assented to by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is the bill to prohibit forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties in the state.
The bill was passed on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, after it scaled the third reading and a voice vote of all members present at plenary.
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