Envoy harps on role of democracy in promoting unity
Germany’s Consul, Weert Börner, has emphasised the importance of democracy in preserving the rights and dignity of people and countries. He stated that societies and the world at large needs peaceful unity in diversity, adding that Nigeria and Germany, for their respective well-being, depend on political stability within a democratic system.
This was at the commemoration of the Day of German Unity held at the consulate in Lagos. Explaining that countries with the highest standards of living, liberty and justice are true democracies, he opined that though Nigeria is currently undergoing socio-economic crisis, moving away from democracy would not help, adding that democracy has to be jointly defended and fostered.
According to him, Germany, in 2024, celebrates 75 years of its constitution, the “Grundgesetz” (Basic Law), which entered into force on 23rd May 1949. After all the horrors of the Nazi regime and of the Second World War, Germany found its way back to peace, democracy, a liberal and social state under the rule of law.
“Article 1 of the Basic Law starts with a short and, at least in theory, simple sentence: “Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar.” “Human dignity is inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.”
“This is not about the dignity and rights of Germans. It is about equal dignity and rights of all humans,whether they live in Germany or elsewhere. And the state has to serve these human rights without bias,” Börner added.
He added that though in practice, this is a never-ending challenge, however, Germany is proud of its levels of democratic participation, freedom of expression, separation of powers, the rule of law and social justice.
On German-Nigeria relations, he said the partnership records 50 years of development cooperation, funded and steered by BMZ together with the Nigerian government, implemented by GIZ and its Nigerian partners, with major achievements especially in vocational training and job placement.
“The Nigerian youth is getting more and more competitive: Last year, for the first time ever, the number of Nigerian recipients of DAAD scholarships for Master or PhD studies in Germany achieved rank 1 in Sub-Sahara Africa. This means more than 1,600 scholarships in one year for Nigerians alone!” he said.
Börner added that recently, at the annual German-Nigerian Business Forum, organised by the Chamber in Lagos, AHK/GIC, German company FAUN Umwelttechnik and Ghanaian-Nigerian company Zoomlion signed a 40 million Euro contract for considerably improving the waste management and recycling landscape in Lagos State among other cooperations.
Governor, Enugu state, Peter Mbah, said that Nigeria’s trade volume with Germany is over $3 billion, adding that there is optimism for more engagement between both countries.
Stating Germany’s influence as a respected global economy, he emphasised the importance of German reunification, stating that it signifies a bold indication of the power of unity.
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