The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Last night the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria departed
for home after a successful State visit.

Although the State Visit was cut short by a half day due to unforeseen
circumstances, the substance of the programme was unaffected.

In this regard this morning the Botswana-Nigeria Business Seminar, which
the Nigeria President would have attended, is still proceeding at the
GICC, being co-chaired by the Minister of Trade and Industry, the
Honourable Dorcus Makgato-Malesu and her Nigerian counterpart, the
Honourable Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga.

President Johnathan arrived at Sir Seretse Khama Airport in Gaborone
slightly ahead of schedule yesterday morning, where he was welcomed by
H.E. the President, Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

The Nigerian President was accompanied on his visit by a delegation of
Cabinet Minister, MPs and senior Officials, which included the Minister
of State for Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed; the
Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Dr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina; the Minister
of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Edem Duke; the Minister of Mining and Steel
Development, Arc. Musa Mohammed Sada; as well as the Minister of Tradeand Investment.
Also arriving in Gaborone yesterday was a delegation of
Nigerian business leaders.

Following a ceremony at the airport the two Presidents along with their
Ministers proceeded to the Office of the President for the Tete-a-Tete
between the two leaders followed by Official talks.

During the Official talks President Khama was joined by His Honour the
Vice President and Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs, Dr.
Ponatshego Kedikilwe; the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public
Administration, the Hon. Mokgweetsi Masisi; the Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation, the Hon. Phandu Skelemani; the
Minister of Trade and Industry, the Hon. Dorcus Malesu; the Minister of
Youth, Sport and Culture, the Hon. Shaw Kgathi and the Acting
Attorney-General, Mr. Moesi; as well as the Permanent Secretary to the
President, Mr. Eric Molale and other senior officials.

At the beginning of the talks President Khama welcomed President
Johnathan, noting their longstanding and cordial ties between the two
countries.

In response President Johnathan expressed his delight at being able to
finally visit Botswana stating that he had long wished to come here. He
further r commended Botswana as a benchmark of good governance, sound
planning and the rule of law. The Nigerian President also thanked
President Khama for his many expressions of sympathy, concern and
solidarity with Nigeria. He also commended Botswana for showing the way
in mineral development, noting that Nigeria could learn from Botswana's
experience

At the beginning of the there was consensus on the need for the two
countries to convene their Joint Commission.

Addition discussion focused on areas of potential cooperation in such
areas as Energy, Agriculture and Beef Exports, Tourism and Cultural>Exchange.

After the talks two leaders proceeded to the Gaborone International
Conference Centre where President Khama hosted a State Banquet in
President Johnathan's honour [Full Text of a) H.E. President Khama's and
b) H.E. President Johnathan's statementa below]

In the afternoon Johnathan toured the Jwaneng mine. He also met member of
the Nigerian community in Botswana before his departure.