A high-level delegation from Nigeria led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, is in South Africa for a two-day meeting of the 5th Defence Committee (DEFCOM) between the Republic of South Africa and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which officially started on 17 September, 2019.
The DEFCOM Agreement between South Africa and Nigeria was signed in 2013. Both countries enjoy longstanding defence relations with a defence cooperation agreement in place.
This year marks 20 years since the establishment of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Nigeria. The 5th DEFCOM is therefore expected to present its final report to the BNC scheduled for 02 to 03 October 2019 in Pretoria. Both President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Nigerian counterpart, President Muhammadu Buhari, are expected to attend the upcoming BNC.
Consequently, the 5th DEFCOM will reconvene its meeting at the Closing Session in Sandton on Thursday, 19 September, 2019.
South Africa’s Secretary of Defence, Dr Sam Gulube and the Nigerian Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, will deliver closing remarks at the closing session.
Members of the media are invited to the closing session as follows:
Date: 19 September 2019
Time: 16:00
Venue: Balalaika Sandton Hotel, Maude St, Sandown, Sandton
Media enquiries:
Siphiwe Dlamini
Cell: 083 645 4294
Joy Nonzukiso Peter
Cell: 082 990 0407