Admin I Monday, September 02, 2024
LAGOS, Nigeria – Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election in 2023, the first non African head of government visit to Nigeria was the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on October, 29th – 30th 2023, in an effort to deepen ties with the black most populous countries in the world.
He was accompanied by a large delegation, private, business and cultural stakeholders.
The Chancellor called for potential cooperation between the two nations on energy as Germany looks to diversify its sources of natural gas.
He revealed that he was seeking to import natural gas from Nigeria being the biggest gas suppler from Africa, he said that German companies are interested in gas deliveries from Nigeria and looking forward to cooperation with Nigerian gas companies.
He pointed out that there was potential for greater cooperation and investment between the two countries ranging from infrastructure , energy to agriculture business, mineral resources, ICT, transportation and logistics and beyond.
He emphasized that Nigeria was Germany’s second largest trading partner in sub-Sahara Africa, with direct German Investments in Nigeria amounting to €150 Million in 2021.
The need to further boost the existing relationship between both countries cannot be over emphasized, this explains why Salute Nigeria’s initiative a non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting peaceful co-existence and socio-economic upliftment of Nigeria in collaboration with( The Presidency) Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) ,Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, with the support of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other partners under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative have come together to host the 1st Nigerian-German Investment and Cultural Expo (NGICE) scheduled for 26th to 30th November, 2024 in Berlin, Germany with theme – “Unlocking Nigeria’s Investment Potentials for Industrial Revolution” and sub-theme – “Cultural Export: Key Opportunities for Foreign Direct Investment” aimed at highlighting and showcasing the enormous investment opportunities in Nigeria to Germany.
To boost multi-agency and private sector efforts aimed at improving foreign direct investments, thereby complimenting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to diversify and rebuild the Nigeria economy.
To further consolidate the visit of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards the promotion of German Nigerian economic cooperation and bilateral relationships.
Also to use our culture as a good promotional tool in advancing international relations, through cultural exchange between Nigeria and Germany.
The Expo will focus on power, renewable energy, mining, oil & gas, agro-qllied, automotive, ICT, marine business, security Management, Housing Development, creative/entertainment industry, transportation etc, the participants expected at the Expo include: German investors, captains of commerce and industry, state governors, foreign and local investors, ministers and high-ranking government officers, chief executives of agencies as well as stakeholders from the organised private sector, the media.
In view of the important role of the German Embassy in facilitating bilateral and economic relations between the two countries, the NGICE main Organizing Committee led by its Director General, Amb. Chielo Ojirika aka Chiboy The Black Courage, Nigerian Music Ambassador to Germany, on behalf of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the organising committee requested for the support of the German mission in Nigeria to ensure the success of the event.
In her response, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Annett Gunther, promised the team of the support of Germany. Members of the team includes Mr Okokon O. EtoAbasi, Deputy Director, Economic and Bilateral Relations Department , Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
Mr. Jude Eremosele Edogun, Chief Admin Officer, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade Embassy and Investment,
Mr Adesoye Adeyemi, Principal Cultural Officer, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Willie Tawo, Head, Business Development, Salute Nigeria Initiative.
NGICE Organising Committee is Chaired by Sir, Dr. Mike Okiro CFR, former Inspector General of Police and Honourable Kaulaha Aliyu, first Republic Parliamentarian and Investment Expert.
