News
German President Steinmeier to Visit Nigeria for Two Days and Strengthen Ties with President Tinubu
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany is set to arrive in Nigeria on Tuesday for a two-day state visit, where he will engage with key Nigerian leaders and explore areas of mutual cooperation.
The German Embassy in Nigeria made the announcement on Monday, outlining the details of Steinmeier’s itinerary.
During his visit, President Steinmeier will meet with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, discussing political and economic matters of importance to both countries.
He will also hold talks with Alieu Omar Touray, the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission.
These meetings are expected to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore further collaboration between Germany and Nigeria, particularly in the fields of governance, regional security, and economic development.
Following his discussions in Abuja, President Steinmeier will travel to Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, where he will engage with business leaders and representatives.
The German delegation will include top executives from some of Germany’s most successful companies, particularly in the IT, high-tech, and energy sectors.
One of the key highlights of the visit will be President Steinmeier’s engagement with members of Nigeria’s cultural and civil society sectors.
He is scheduled to meet renowned Nigerian artist Dr Nike Okundaye, known for her traditional African textiles, and Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, a prominent figure in global literature and a vocal advocate for human rights and democracy.
The German leader will also tour various parts of Lagos, gaining insights into the city’s dynamic urban development, particularly as a megacity.
He will focus on understanding the environmental and social challenges that come with such rapid urbanization, which will be a key discussion point in his engagements with both the Nigerian government and business leaders.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
“Fighting for Nigerians Is Tiring” — VeryDarkMan Recalls Burna Boy’s Words
Enzo Fernández Moves Closer to Manchester City Transfer
