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 Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, will be honoured on Saturday (19 November) in Berlin, Germany. The FCT comprises the city of Abuja and its satellite towns.
The Award/Gala Night, at which the 52-year-old minister will be bestowed with an award for excellence in public service, will take place at the prestigious Sana Hotel in central Berlin, which is located about 700m from the highbrow department store KaDeWe.
The event, organised jointly by the African-German Association (AGA) e.V. and ABG Paulas Germany GmbH, is to recognise the minister for being a shining example of successful women in government in Africa.
“This is based on her distinguished leadership style and the innovations she has introduced in the FCT,” AGA and ABG Paulas said in a joint press statement explaining their decision to choose the minister for the award.
Mrs Aliyu will be accompanied on her visit to Berlin by a delegation that includes senior officials of the FCT and the chairpersons of its six Area Councils.
The Award/Gala Night is a partnership between AGA, a social, economic and cultural development organisation, and ABG Paulas, a business promotion company, to showcase positive stories out of Africa.
Speaking in an interview with The African Courier, Ambrose Okojie, the CEO of ABG Paulas, said the negative stories about Africa can only be counteracted by showing positive things going on in the continent.
“Despite the often-repeated problems in Africa, people are working tirelessly to change the story of the continent,” Okojie said. “And we have to showcase such persons as emblems of hope for Africa.”
Okojie, whose company has been organising trade missions between Nigeria and Germany for more than twenty years, said the investment opportunities in Africa are many and the award scheme is one of the ways ABG Paulus and AGA want to promote the continent as a place to do business and invest.
Michael Iyare, the Chairman of AGA, which has about 40 corporate members, said his organisation is co-staging the event because “it’s important to honour Africans who have shown remarkable leadership qualities in their areas of service”.
The ceremony will be graced by the Ambassador of Nigeria to Germany, HE Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, members of the diplomatic corps in Berlin and directors of German companies doing business in Africa.
Others expected event at the event include African businessmen and women, leaders of major German-African organisations and members of the African community.
“Our main appeal to those interested in this event is that they should be punctual as we will commence promptly at 6pm because of the many dignitaries who will grace the occasion,” Okojie said. “If you would like to join us, please be there on time!”
Femi Awoniyi
Service Leadership Excellence Award Ceremony
Saturday, 19 November 2022, Time: 6pm (prompt)
SANA Berlin Hotel, Nürnberger Str. 33/34, 10777 Berlin
Contact: +4915210778248, +4915216993850, +234 807 239 6734 (WhatsApp)
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