The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, will depart Nigeria on Tuesday for Berlin to further promote economic relations between his state and the German government.

While on the tour, Governor Amosun and the German Federal Minister, Gerd Müller, will discuss the new Africa Policy of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the governor would also hold discussions with the President, German Engineering Federation, Reinhold Festge, Chief Executive Officer, Oxfam Germany, Marion Lieser, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union and Parliamentary State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany.

Mr Olaniyonu said that BMZ sought to partner with Africa and help it transform itself from a continent in crisis into a continent of opportunities.

“The aim now is to discuss BMZ’s new strategy and develop it further by engaging in dialogue with representatives of its African partner countries and members of the wider expert community in Germany. This discussion will focus on people’s expectations of such a partnership and possible ways in which it could be implemented,” he said.

The commissioner further stated that the BMZ would also use the event as an opportunity to engage with the relevant development policy actors and discuss the direction of its Africa policy.

“It also hopes to explore innovative ideas. The tour is intended to send a clear signal to the actors involved that the BMZ wishes to engage in a wide-ranging dialogue and to encourage open discussion,” Mr Olaniyonu said.

The Ogun State Governor would be accompanied by the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals, Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Special Adviser on Public Private Partnerships, Dr. Tunde Sodade and Special Adviser on Research and Documentation, Mr Adeleke Adewolu.