President Muhammadu Buhari will start an official journey to the Federal Republic of Germany from tomorrow, Thursday.
A statement by special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that President Buhari is expected to confer with Federal 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.
Adesina said that the President, who will be accompanied by Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo as well as representatives of the National Assembly, will meet with Federal President Joachim Gauck.
He said that 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 spokesman said that President Buhari is expected to meet with representatives of the Nigerian community in Germany before returning to Nigeria.
“President Buhari is committed to deepening relations with Germany and building 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.
“Shortly after his inauguration on May 29, 2015, President Buhari, on the invitation of Chancellor Merkel, attended the G7 summit in Elmau, Germany – the trip was his first to a non-African country after his assumption of office.
“From February 8 to 12 this year, President Gauck, accompanied by a delegation of German business community, was on an official visit to Nigeria, where they had fruitful discussions on trade and investments with representatives of government and the private sector in Abuja and Lagos.” [myad]
