Buhari woos German investors to infrastructure, power

By Lawrence Olaoye

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigerians eagerly look forward to investments in infrastructure, especially the power sector, that will illuminate their homes and stimulate businesses while assuring German companies that the government will honour terms of agreements on investments in the country.
According to a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, made the request while receiving a Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of Germany, Birgitt Ory, at the State House.
Buhari said the agreements signed with Germany company, Siemens, on power was most welcoming for the country, and Nigeria looks forward to partnerships that will be mutually beneficial.
He added that the country remained grateful to Germany for humanitarian interventions in the North East for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and the visit of the Chancellor, Angela Merkel, to Nigeria in August 2018, which further strengthened bi-lateral relations.
In her remarks, the Ambassador said it was a great privilege to serve in Nigeria, which had always been her aspiration. She described the country as “the biggest and most important country in Africa’’.
“When I came to Nigeria last year in May, which was also my first time in Africa, as soon as I stepped out of the plane, I said this is where I will like to work,’’ she said.
Ory congratulated Nigeria for holding two key positions in the United Nations, Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, and President of the UN General Assembly, Prof. Tijani Mohammad-Bande, saying the country’s rising global profile reflects its pivotal role in Africa and West African region.
The German envoy assured the President that she will work towards improved relations between both countries, commending him for Nigeria’s role in ECOWAS, with renewed focus on economy and security.
The President, who also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Ethiopia, Azanaw Tadesse Abreha, encouraged diplomats to stay longer in the country in order to understand the dynamics of the culture, economy and landscape, noting that “Nigeria is big and versatile and requires longer period of stay to be understood’’.
“With your staff at the embassy, you need to stay longer and move around to really appreciate the country,’’ he added.
The President said the bilateral relations with Ethiopia had been steady and rewarding for both countries, urging the ambassador to further strengthen the bond.
The Ethiopian ambassador said he would promote strategic relations between Nigeria and his country, promising to take “the relations to the highest level’’ of mutual respect.