GERMAN-NIGERIAN BUSINESS CONFERENCE: How Nigeria And Germany Are Partnering For A Better Future

Monday, October 30, 2023, Lagos Continental Hotel hosted the German-Nigerian Business Conference 2023, a landmark event that brought together leaders and stakeholders from both countries to explore new opportunities for collaboration and transformation. The conference, which marked the 10th anniversary of the German-Nigerian Business Forum, was organized by the Nigerian-German Chamber of Commerce and featured keynote speeches as well as panel discussions, business meetings, and networking sessions.

The conference aimed to create partnerships for a transformative change in various sectors such as energy, agriculture, health, digitalization, and infrastructure. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and most populous country, has been undergoing a process of economic diversification and reform, while Germany, Europe’s largest economy and a global leader in innovation and technology, has been expanding its presence and engagement in Africa.

Chancellor Scholz praised Nigeria as a strategic partner for Germany in Africa and expressed his commitment to support Nigeria’s economic development and diversification. He also announced a new initiative to provide 100 million euros for renewable energy projects in Nigeria, which would help the country address its power challenges and transition to a low-carbon economy.

Chancellor Scholz

Also, Governor Babajide  Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Gov, Obafemi Hamzat, used the opportunity to showcase the opportunities and potentials of Lagos as the economic hub of Nigeria and West Africa. He also outlined his administration’s vision and plans to make Lagos a smart city that is sustainable, inclusive, and innovative. 

"He invited German businesses to partner with Lagos in achieving its goals. He said that Lagos was open for business and ready to offer a conducive environment for investors"

The conference also witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements between Nigerian and German companies and institutions in various fields such as renewable energy, health care, agriculture, digitalization, and vocational training. These agreements reflected the mutual interest and commitment of both countries to work together for a better future.

Nigerian Billionaire Femi Otedola Takes Over As Vice Chancellor Of Augustine University, Gives N750 Million To Students

Femi Otedola

Femi Otedola, one of Nigeria’s richest men and a leading philanthropist, has assumed the role of Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, a private Cathotlic institution in Lagos State. The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday, October 26th, 2023, and was graced by prominent figures from the religious, political, and business sectors.

Otedola, who has a net worth of $1.8 billion according to Forbes, is the former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, a major petroleum marketing company, and the founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, a leading supplier of diesel and kerosene in Nigeria. He is also the father of popular Nigerian singer and DJ, Florence Otedola, better known as DJ Cuppy.

Otedola said he was honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as the Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, and vowed to uphold the high standards of Catholic education in Nigeria. He said he would work with the faculty, staff, and students to achieve academic excellence, moral integrity, and social responsibility. He also praised the vision and mission of the university, which aims to prepare students for leadership and enterprise in a competitive and dynamic world .

As a gesture of his goodwill and generosity, Otedola announced that he would donate N750 million ($1.9 million) to all the students of the university as a financial aid to cope with the economic challenges facing Nigeria. He said each of the 750 students currently enrolled in the university would receive N1 million ($2,500) each from his personal funds. He urged the students to use the money wisely and to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication .

The students and staff of Augustine University were overjoyed by Otedola’s donation and thanked him for his kindness and vision. They also pledged to work hard and make him proud as the new Vice Chancellor .

Augustine University is located in Ilara, a town in Epe local government area of Lagos State. It was established by the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos in 2015 with the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC). It offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in arts, sciences, social sciences, management, and education .

IFEOMA CLYOPATRA ONYIA: THE SAVOUR OF FINE WINE

CEO Clyopatra Winery and Vineyard in Maryland, Speak on the Exciting Journey of Being the First African Winery Owner in the USA.

Launching an exquisite line of premium wine, this Month of October, Ifeoma Clyopatra Onyia is making history as the first African Winery and Vineyard business owner operating in the United State of America. Aside this lofty title, the boss of Clyopatra Winery and Vineyard in Maryland, understands wine, and When she talks wine, she brings them alive in such passionate ascriptions that that you can feel their taste and deep romantic scent.

Maybe her successful career in the world of fashion designing speaks a tone for her creative mind, but for her and wine, the tale is more like a spiritual connection. It is an odyssey of attraction dating back to her simple roots in Udi - a village in eastern Nigeria well known for producing the best of palm wine, then to the exquisite wineries across Italy and the United States of America, and now, it's all come together into one huge ball of wine-adventures.

 In this exclusive cover story Interview with Business Africa, she talks of the different shades of her wine in the most romantic tongue, bringing you closer to the wow experience that will define your first sip.

How did you get started on this brave Journey?

It all started with my gazillion questions to my Dad about Wine, how they are made and the difference between the Grape wine and the Palm wine, coming from Udi in Enugu Local Government Nigeria, where our natural resource is Palm Wine...

Interviewed by Abayomi Ojo-Daniel For Business Africa Magazine.

Download Free eCopy here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19MqjUodFEoLT0NkBwch45ioswzLLuTTJ/view?usp=drivesdk