Conversations are currently going on between the Government of Anambra State and the
State to facilitate bilateral relations and strengthen existing economic ties between South Africa
and Anambra State.
Speaking during a luncheon at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia on Tuesday, South African High
Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Bobby Moroe observed that it had become necessary to bring the
country’s consular services closer to where it was needed most since over 800,000 Nigerians
High Commissioner Moroe also spoke strongly about forging stronger ties between South
Africa and Anambra State through an exchange programme that would eventually see 50 South
African youths visiting Anambra and 50 Anambra youths visiting South Africa to lend more
depth to the understanding of cultural and social ethos between the two entities.
Praising Governor Obiano for assembling a great team to drive his vision of governance, High
Commissioner Moroe said, “We are quite impressed with the energy and the verve that we have
seen in Anambra State. You have a very fantastic team of young men and women who know
exactly what they are doing. They have the drive, they have the vision, they have the technical
expertise and they know what you want.”
According to him, South Africa has decided that the time had come to explore the possibilities
of taking its relationship with Anambra State further than where it was. Hear him: “We have
visited a number of places. The first place we visited was the hotel that belongs to the state. We
were quite surprised at the state-of-the-art hotel that we have seen in the Golden Tulip. It looks
like a privately owned hotel. You know that South Africa has expertise in hospitality.
Praising Ndi Anambra as hardworking people, Moroe said “We come to Anambra with great
humility, recognizing the hard-working nature of the people of Anambra, recognizing the fact
that Anambra is not resourceless. It is resourceful. That is why we are here.”
Speaking further, Moroe revealed that he had also visited JOSAN Integrated Rice Farms and
Mills in Ufuma, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state. “We visited JOSAN Rice
Farm owned by Chief Okeke. During our visit to JOSAN Farms, we emphasized that we can look
at small scale farmers and we were impressed with the model that JOSAN has in place.
That’s a very typical example of what we are looking for. You might call them “low hanging
fruits.” These are some of the impactful projects that we are looking at; the projects that will
benefit the young men and women of Anambra. A 25-year old man who is into farming in the
village of Abacha. A young woman who is into IT and and wants to explore technology that will
assist the agricultural sector. That is what the focus needs to be,” he explained.
Assuring of the readiness of his country to assist Anambra’s giant strides in Agriculture, High
Commissioner Moroe said he would look into the request for intervention in the provision of
irrigation facilities as well as modern fish farming techniques and facilities from the Cape
Province.
Earlier in a closed door meeting, Governor Obiano had requested for a collaboration and
partnership in so many areas including culture and tourism, hospitality and leisure, agriculture,
trade and commerce and oil and gas.
Responding to Governor Obiano’s request for a dedicated channel for Anambra Broadcasting
Service (ABS) Television on Multichoice’s DSTV platform, High Commissioner Moroe assured
that very soon, ABS would be on DSTV.
GUYS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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FACEBOOK COMMENTS
Endy Edeson
Well is for mutual benefit. Not just for the gain of South Africa but also for the Igbos or South Easterners
Endy Edeson
@Emeka: I understand your comment even without asking HOW. Not most folks go there for WHAT YOU THINK they are going for.
Endy Edeson
@Peejay: Nice one. This will help folks like you if you truly want to travel to SA. @Libra: Yeah, I had to reply Emeka "codedly" the way he commented "codedly"
Enyinda Nathaniel Okey
It is about business positioning.. it is a good investment...
