By Blessing Chinagorom
The newly sworn-in South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has paid a ‘thank you’ visit to Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring the invitation to attend inauguration for his second term in office.
In a statement released by the Nigerian Presidential aide on Thursday, Ramaphosa visited Tinubu at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Johannesburg, where both leaders had a closed door meeting.
Ramaphosa took oath of office as the 7th South African President in the present of some Head of States including Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Union Buildings, Pretoria in Tshwane on Wednesday 19th June, 2024.
Ramaphosa who after finished his first term was immediately re-elected during South African’s First Sitting of National Assembly of 7th Parliament on 14 June 2024.
South Africa’s President who showed appreciation to Tinubu, said, “Thank you so much for coming for the inauguration. I was very happy to see my brother at the ceremony”.
Tinubu in his response, noted that Ramaphosa’s inaugural speech captured most of the challenges faced by African countries and need for more collaboration among leaders and citizens to provide solutions.
According to him, “I really enjoyed your speech at the ceremony. I was delighted listening to you. We have lots of issues in common, and we need to work more closely together. It was a good celebration”.
Both Nigerian and South African leaders engaged in productive talks, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and encouraging economic growth. 
South Africa regards Nigeria as a strategic partner in the context of bilateral relations, the West Africa region, and the continent in the pursuance of the African Agenda, South – South cooperation and in the promotion of a rules-based International System.
