THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has said that the state, Nigeria’s most populous and its economic heartbeat, remains a prime destination for foreign investors, considering its improved infrastructure and secured environment.
Obasa made the assertion when a delegation of German parliamentarians paid a courtesy call on him in his office at Ikeja on Monday, 31 October.
He said that Lagos State, with its huge economic base and potential for socio-economic growth, should be attractive to any investor.
“The state government in collaboration with the state Assembly has improved the infrastructure in all nooks and crannies of the state.
“The enactment of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, which has been signed into law by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, has shown the commitment of the government to make the state safe for investors.
“It has also shown the state’s determination to enhancing improved security in the state, especially at the grassroots level.
“There is no doubt that Nigeria, particularly this state, is enjoying robust and cordial relationship with your country, but we will always ask for more of such collaboration,” Obasa said.
The speaker sought for more partnership in the areas of economic empowerment and social development, among others.
He said that the state government, especially the state Assembly, would continue to enact laws and put in place policies that would protect residents, investors and their investments.
The leader of the German delegation, Mr Charles Huber, lauded the existence of a cordial relationship between his country and Nigeria, with special emphasis on Lagos State.
Huber, who is the Chairman, German Parliamentary Group of the English and Portugese-speaking States of West and Central Africa, said that Lagos occupied a special place in Germany.
“There is no doubt that Germany and Nigeria enjoy cordial relationship and there is no doubt that Lagos State occupies a special place in that relationship, with many German investors and companies based in this state.
“In every relationship, there is always room for improvement and I am assuring that we will continue to improve on our relationship for the mutual benefit of the citizens of the two countries,” he said.
Huber said that his country was always ready to contribute to the development of Nigeria and Lagos in particular.
Others on the entourage were Mr Klaus-Peter Flosbach, a member of the German Parliament; Ms Renate Wolf, an interpreter and the Consul General of German Embassy in Lagos, Mr Ingo Herbert. // Niran Bada
