Starting today, October 13, President Muhammadu Buhari will be leaving Nigeria for his visit to Germany till October 16.
This is the second time since his 2015 visit to Germany to attend the G-7 meeting, accompanied by a 20-person delegation including former Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.
This visit which begins today is scheduled to end on October 16, 2016. Below are the reasons for the visit:
1. Security
Following his visit with Angela Merkel, President Buhari will meet with President Joachim Gauck to discuss how to attract foreign investment to Nigeria.
Femi Adesina said in his statement: “Thereafter, the President, who will be accompanied by Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo and representatives of the National Assembly, will meet with Federal President Joachim Gauck.”
It is important to note that in February 2016, Mr Joachim Gauck visited Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state, pledging that Germany will assist Nigeria with the technical know- how to successfully fight terrorism. This will also be part of the discussion with President Buhari.
2. Nigerians in Germany
Before returning to Abuja on October 16, President Buhari will round up his visit by meeting with representatives of the Nigerian community in Germany.
This will help to deepen relations with Germany and build on the very cordial relations both countries enjoy in several areas of bilateral cooperation including the fight against terrorism, economic relations, rebuilding of the North east, support for IDPs, vocational training, energy partnership and cultural relations.
The visit hopefully will have a hugely positive impact on Nigeria, its security and economy.
3. Cooperation between two nations
One of the aims of the visit is to meet with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel on issues that border on better cooperation between Germany and Nigeria.
Femi Adesina, the special adviser on media and publicity to the president had this to say about that part of the visit:
“The president will confer with Chancellor Angela Merkel on issues of shared interests between Nigeria and Germany, including further cooperation on security, the humanitarian situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rehabilitation of the North-East, as well as trade and economic relations between both countries.”
The problems of IDPs, Boko Haram attacks and the economic recession are ones Nigeria will find hard to solve without support, this will feature prominently in the discussions between the two heads of state.
4. Foreign investment
The forth objective of the trip is stated thus by Adesina:
“In furtherance of the administration’s objective to attract more foreign investment and create economic opportunities in the country, President Buhari will participate in a Business Forum in Berlin with leading German companies already active in Nigeria and other prospective investors.”
The Business forum in Berlin will likely include companies like Siemens, a multinational technology company in Nigeria and several others.
The visit hopefully will have a hugely positive impact on Nigeria, its security and economy.
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