BUSINESS MEETING WITH THE 1ST LADY AND WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA

BUSINESS MEETING WITH THE 1ST LADY AND WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA
27th July 2012, 4;30pm,
The Castle, Government House, Yenegoa.Remarks;

INI OKORIE;
Opened his remarks by acknowledging the historic place of the relationship between Bayelsa State and SA. This is aforerunner for other states and Bayelsa is the pacesetter in this move which has helped the relationship between Nigeria and SA.
The attempt to build synergy between the State and SA is highly commendable and must be sustained.With the 1st Lady of SA having a first hand impression of Bayelsa this should be able to drive and generate healthy business relationship and have a long lasting relationship between the two Countries.

DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER TO NIGERIA;  

Appreciated the relationship between the two countries and also the growing stature of Bayelsa in Nigeria. He stated that around the world a great deal of activity going on in Bayelsa has created agreat deal of activity between both Countries and Bayelsa as well. The 1st Ladies visit is a eye opern for SA companies to explore and do business with.When the Governor visited SA this has also highlighted the importance of Bayelsa in Nigeria. Thus many business men and companies are gradually becoming more interested in Nigeria. Bayelsa has thus become a focal point for companies coming to Nigeria thus the visit of the first lady for the 1st time to any state in Nigeria.
The SA embassy has also been given clear mandate to build business relationships between SA and BY particularly between businesses in the private sector in areas of technical expertise, Oil and Gas, gas to liquid project. The visit of the Governor to encourage business to come gave the confidence to come over. In the area of social housing which the ANC has done so well can be replicated in BY. 
In SA there are financial institutions that are interested in funding projects in Nigeria and thus BY. PPP has been successful in SA and thus this can be transferred to BY.  
He urged that we should be able to make this relationship work and thus encourage it and see that the President himself can visit BY.

1ST LADY OF SA; 

Brings greetings from SA and acknowledges the relationship between the two Countries. The Governors visit in may has helped build relationships between both Countries in areas like engineering, power,telecoms,etc. Her visit is to cement business relationships and partnerships between both States. Would like to acknowledge the support and contribution between both countries during the liberation struggle.

GOVERNOR OF BAYELSA STATE; 

The essence of the partnership. The Governorextended his deep gratitude to the 1st Lady, President of SA and the entire people of SA for meeting him in SA and she hosted the states delegationto a private dinner in the state house in SA. In the course of interactions she promised that during the AFLPM you would visit Bayelsa and thus with this would like to confer on her as a Honourary Citizen of Bayelsa State