THE German Government has raised the alarm that the security situation in Nigeria caused by multiple crimes, banditry and spate of kidnappings across the country, is worrisome to the people of Germany.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja when she visited the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther said, “The security situation in Nigeria is worrisome to Germany as well as Nigeria. We have taken that up already because it is the most important prerequisite for socio- economic development, peace and human development. The security sector support reform is also where Germany is deeply involved. Over the years, we have spent quite a lot of money and we are very happy to see that going well under the leadership of the Natonal Security Adviser.”
The German Envoy said that she was honoured to be received by the Senate President and his colleagues, assuring his hosts, of the commitment of Germany to assisting Nigeria to overcome its security and power challenges.
She said, “we are honoured to be here today. Nigeria and Germany being the largest economies and population in their respective continents, needs to come together in their peoples’ interest. Nigeria is Germany’s second largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa.
“The Siemens’ energy project is often mentioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I hope this may be our small contribution to improving electricity in the country. Germany is very active in somany areas like climate change and energy.”
Meanwhile, the Senate has called on the German Government to work in synergy with Nigeria in the areas of security and power, to enhance the socio-political development of Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja when he led some of his colleagues a to receive in courtesy, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Annette Gunther, in his office, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio said, “we are looking for partnership and guidance from Germany in the area of security and power generation. There is no doubt that we enjoy a very robust relationship with Germany and I see a much better relationship between Nigeria and Germany under your tenure as the Ambassador.”
Akpabio stated further that “Nigeria wants to improve on the existing relationship between us, and the Nigerian Parliament would be very glad to join the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to improve on that relationship. Anything we need to do in terms of legalizing or in terms of legislation to make most of the policies and programmes that you are embarking on with the government possible would be done. We want more German companies to join those that are already here.
“We are taking the security in Nigeria very seriously and we believe that with more companies coming in to establish here, and creating more employment opportunities, a lot of our youths would be gainfully employed. We also want to implore Germany to take a more active part in resolving most of the war in the crises-prone areas, such as the Ukraine and Russia imbroglio and the current very bad situation in the Gaza.