By JKNewsMedia
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES and cultural assets from Nigeria will be showcased in Berlin, Germany, during the forthcoming Nigeria German Investment and Cultural Expo (NGICE).
A press release issued on the event notes that the initiative follows previous international events hosted by Nigeria, including the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture in Lagos in 1977 (FESTAC 77), the All-African Games in 2003 and the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in 2009.
The forthcoming expo is being organised by Salute Nigeria Initiative (SNI) under the auspices of NGICE, a private organisation founded by Ambassador Chielo Ojirika as its Coordinator, while retired Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, serves as Chairman.
Also, the expo will be held under the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Investment Potentials for Industrial Revolution” with the subtitle, “Cultural Exports: Key Opportunities for Foreign Direct Investment.”
Ojirika said planning for the expo began in 2023 following the two-day working visit of former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
“It was as a result of the German Chancellor’s visit and our belief in President Tinubu’s reforms that we got the idea of NGICE as our own contribution towards making Nigeria great again,” Ojirika said.
He added the decision to host the event in Germany was intended to showcase Nigeria’s opportunities and achievements to Europeans.
“That Nigeria is not about kidnapping, drug, or yahoo. That a lot of good things are available here in Nigeria. It is like the saying, ‘if Mohammed cannot go to the mountain, the mountain will go to Mohammed’.
“That is exactly what we want to do with NGICE. That we have potentials in the mining sector where our Minister, Dr Dele Alake, is doing great. That our potential in the blue economy is second to none. That our musicians, actors, footballers, authors are world beaters any day. These are what we want to showcase to the world in Germany during the month-long event,” he said.
Ojirika, who is known in the music world as Chiboy, the Black Courage, said he had lived long enough in Europe to observe the factors that contributed to industrialisation.
“There is nothing so special about the western world that made them industrialised countries except that they have good leaders and law-abiding followers that pay their taxes and obey the law. Leaders like Tinubu that can see tomorrow today, thinking and acting leaders that make difficult decisions.
“That is just the difference. We have hardworking and technically gifted people in this country that can change our fortune. We have them in all parts of this country and thank God the present government is discovering them.”
Explaining the choice of Germany as host country, Ojirika cited the importance of Nigerian German economic and bilateral relations as well as his years of residence in the country.
“First of all, remember the importance of Nigerian German economic and bilateral relationship. And again recall that I lived for so many years in that country and have seen what made them great after the world war. It is an orderly country, well industrialised with lots of investors that will readily cash in on the opportunities to invest here, which we will showcase during the expo. I have no fear about that.”
He said the expo would showcase Nigeria’s opportunities to the world and appealed for federal government assistance in the area of logistics support.
Ojirika said the organisers had embarked on visits to government officials to solicit support for the initiative. He said the team, alongside Okiro, met the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, whom he described as providing administrative support that enabled the team to reach some ministers.
According to Ojirika, Akume views the expo as his baby.
He also explained that the NGICE team has over the years met different policy officials in Nigeria including; former Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Dora Uzoka Anite, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musawa, German Ambassador to Nigeria Ambassador Annette Günter, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, former Minister of Transportation Senator Saidu Alkali, Permanent Secretary Dr Mukhtar Yawale Muhammed, Director General of Voice of Nigeria Jibrin Baba Ndace, Chairman of the National Sports Commission Mallam Shehu Dikko, Permanent Secretary Dr Warrens Bekearedebo Augusta and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum.
Ojirika said a memorandum of understanding was signed last week with Catholic Television (CTV), which they described as the global Catholic Church electronic media platform with one of the largest media outreaches in the world.
“NGICE is prepared and ready to help place Nigeria on the centre of the world. To join President Tinubu in telling top world investors that Nigeria is safe for them to come and invest,” Ojirika stated.
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