German Envoy Urges Nigeria To Diversify Economy, Visits Anglican Church

The German Consular-General in Lagos, Ingo Herbert, has urged the Nigerian government to diversify the country’s economy, as well as create industries that would generate employment for its teeming population. Herbert gave this charge during his visit to Most Rev. (Dr) E. Adebola Ademowo, Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) recently in Lagos. He advised the present administration not to be over-dependent on oil alone, but to also build industries and produce commodities for export in the world market. He claimed that there was German business interest in Nigeria, adding that despite the current situation in the country, Nigeria was an important market on the African continent. Speaking on the trade relations between Nigeria and Germany, he said the trade balance in import of gas which is normally in favour of Nigeria was on the decrease because of the difficult situation in the country, adding that there was room for improvement which was one of his tasks in the country. “Despite all the difficult times at the moment in the Nigerian economy, there is a new interest in the German business community; a sort of come-back to rediscover, see the opportunities in the African continent. I am quite confident that during my tenure here, I will meet with partners in Germany to increase the business presence here in Nigeria”, he said. On his visit to the church, he said considering the role of the Anglican Church in Nigeria, it made it necessary for him to visit and learn more about the church. He added that church and religion are important factors in society as the church does a lot of social work in the society. He also noted that it was important for him to study the culture and norms and understand the people as his role was not only to represent Germany in Nigeria, but also to become an expert on Nigeria and explain what it meant and how to do business in Nigeria. “Each country is different even in Europe, so, it is important to know the structure of the society, its people and explain to Germans because one of my roles is to promote Nigeria in my country. We want to bring the two countries closer to each other in business and other beneficial areas”, he said. While commending the Consular-General for his visit to the church, Ademowo revealed that the Anglican Church in Nigeria had intensified Bible teachings and introduced innovations to help keep members in the church without losing their Anglican identity. “We are celebrating the Anglican Church because Pentecostalism and Anglicanism are intertwined and are inseparable”, he said. He commended the former governor of Lagos, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, for returning missionary schools to the respective Christian denominations, adding that the church was not relenting in its efforts to ensure it had Christian schools which Christian children would be privileged to attend. “We are not relenting at all and we are fulfilling our role as leaders in the church from time to time”, he reiterated. Speaking on the economic problems in the country, Ademowo said: “Everyone in this country knows that things are pretty tough. We are passing through a trying period; people are suffering and it is not easy. We are not going to confess negatively because we know that beyond the tunnel, there is light; there is hope. The way the President is talking, I think he wants to fix the economy. It may be tough at the moment, but I know we will overcome at the end of the day.”