13 November 2008
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Horst Koehler Tuesday called for a new momentum to discuss a global infrastructure programme which should focus on the African emerging markets countries and the poorer regions of the continent.
A Government House statement said the German President who was accompanied by his wife, Eva, spoke at the Lagos House Ikeja during a courtesy call on the state governor as part of his one day state visit to Lagos State. According to him, it has become necessary to focus on emerging markets in view of the current world financial crises adding that Lagos is clearly one of those emerging markets deserving attention.
In his words: "I do think in the context of the world financial crises, there should be a new momentum to discuss the global infrastructure programme which should concentrate on the African emerging markets countries and the poorer regions of Africa. If this would happen, I think Lagos should be one of the chosen places". President Koehler said Lagos as a centre of excellence should get the attention of the outside world because of what it is doing and achieving which have sent very positive signals to the outside world.
He added that he shared the belief that Lagos is indeed a centre of excellence in cultural and business terms and would want to know the challenges the state faces and how Germany can be supportive of the state Government's efforts. President Kohler who also led the German team to a meeting and presentation on the Lagos Mega City project reiterated that right from his journey from the airport to the Lagos Government House, Ikeja, the green areas he saw are indicative that the direction of the work by the state government is right and responsible. Also speaking, Governor Babatunde Fashola said what Africans and Nigerians need is partnership and not aids as the various challenges facing the continent also present opportunities and possibilities. Governor Fashola added that investments in infrastructure in the State would create enormous opportunities and prosperity.
He emphasized that "we must continue to find ways to ensure richer ways of cooperating on issues of renewable energy, environmental challenges, skills and youth development and attention for the women". The governor added that he remained convinced that as we all reach out to touch each other in an increasingly globalizing world, the things that separate us are not as much as what unite us. He expressed the belief that there are still areas of continued engagements between both countries as Nigeria and Germany share so much in common as a nation and as major trading partners who have both business and cultural interactions and exchanges.
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