Photo/Novo Isioro
German ambassador to Nigeria Bernhard Schlagheck has confirmed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that the west African country is “a more investor-friendly destination”.
Schlagheck who was attesting to the developmental strides of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration commended the economic policy initiatives.
Osinbajo received the German delegation was led by Ulrich Konstantin Rieger, Head of Division, Internationalization Department Africa, Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, alongside the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Bernhard Schlagheck at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“After difficult years, Nigeria is facing an upward trend, the investment climate seems to be improving. For foreign companies, Nigeria is one of the most promising markets in Africa,” Rieger said.
Also present at the meeting was the Minister of Industry, Trade & Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, and other senior government officials.
Prof. Osinbajo who received the delegation noted that the Buhari administration was continually working very hard to create an environment that makes it much easier for businesses to thrive in Nigeria.
The Vice President further said government was looking at ways to solve infrastructure and economic issues.
He said, “A few weeks ago, we completed the Focus Labs which was a way by which we thought we could crack some of the difficult problems concerning investors coming into Nigeria.
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“There were a wide range of investors in power, oil and gas, various sectors. They had one issue or the other with their investments, and we had over a 6-week period, we worked through each of those problems with government agencies in attendance.
“It was a very innovative experience, because we had all government agencies in the same room with investors who had issues, and we ensured that the investors were able to get some results from the Focus Labs.
“We intend to take that approach in resolving many of the other issues that have been outlined. I think Minister of Industry mentioned that in relation to Nigerian Investment Promotion Council’s approach in solving some of these problems.
“I just want to say that Nigeria is set for business, and fortunately, you have NIPC – Yewande Sadiku will be talking to you in greater detail about some of the issues around investment and all that.
“A lot of the physical issues and concerns around interest rates, we are working on it now that inflation has declined steadily in the past 18 months, we are certainly going to have to look at how to substantially reduce interest rates to make it easier for businesses to take credit.
“We are in a very good place, especially with the physical situation improving very considerably, to make some important changes. We are hoping the Central Bank will be able to do so in a very short time.
“Nigeria is a place to look at for innovation and technology, we have so many young people there, and we think that might be an interesting opportunity as well.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")