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.
A team representing Nigerians living in the Bavarian city of Würzburg has emerged winners of the second edition of the Nigerian Ambassador’s Cup Germany. The football tournament, which took place on Saturday (14 July) in Berlin, was contested by the chapters of the Nigerian Community Germany (NCG) e.V. – the umbrella organisation of Nigerian associations in the country.
This year saw four teams – NCG Berlin, NCG Kiel, NCG Wolfsburg and NCG Würzburg – participating in the final stages. At the end of a hotly-contested end game, Würzburg defeated Berlin after a penalty shoot-out following a 1:1 draw at full time to emerge the 2017 champions. Kiel defeated Wolfsburg to pick the third place.
The finals of the Ambassador’s Cup, whose purpose is to foster unity among Nigerians living in Germany, was graced by the Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria to Germany, Mrs Mobolaji Sakirat Ogundero, who was accompanied to the event by top officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Berlin.
Ambassador Ogundero, in her speech, praised the NGC for organising the event and pledged the continued support of the Embassy for the activities of the organisation.
The envoy presented the trophy and gifts to the winning teams and enjoined the NGC not to relent in its efforts to bring Nigerians in the country together. She emphasised that the Diaspora had an important role to play in national development and assured that the federal government was open to their ideas on how to tackle challenges faced by their home country.
A representative of MoneyGram, Oliver Behrens, presented the “Afrika! Community Award 2017” and a cheque for 1,000 euros to NGC e.V. at the event. Sponsored by the international money-transfer company, the award highlights the work of African clubs and organisations in Germany.
NGC e.V. was one of the four associations that emerged winners at the first edition of the award scheme. Every winning association gets 1,000 euros each.
Mr Behrens said MoneyGram, a global provider of innovative money transfer, introduced the “Afrika! Community Award” this year to recognise and support the voluntary work of African associations in the country. “MoneyGram is the first to highlight the work of these associations,” he pointed out, which shows the company’s commitment to its corporate social responsibilities.
There are more than 700 African clubs and organisations registered in Germany and they support sporting and cultural activities in addition to promoting the integration of their members in Germany. Moreover, they support development and humanitarian projects in Africa.
The inaugural version of the Nigerian Ambassador’s Cup Germany football tournament took place in May 2016. four teams – NCG Hamburg, NCG Wolfsburg, NCG Augsburg and NCG Berlin– participated in the final stages, with Hamburg emerging winners.
Femi Awoniyi & Mazi Obiora Nweke
SEE ALSO: MoneyGram awards four African associations in Germany
