Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has underscored the need for investors to leverage Nigeria-Germany cultural ties to drive the country’s growth.

Mr Tuggar gave the advice while receiving the Salute Nigeria Initiative, organisers of the Nigeria-German Investment and Cultural Expo (NGICE), at the ministry of foreign affairs on Thursday in Abuja.

The minister, who had served as ambassador of Nigeria to Germany for six years, commended the NGICE concept, saying it could further strengthen Nigeria-Germany diplomatic relations.

According to him, when it comes to the issue of culture, Germany always has a listening voice, because in Germany, the word culture goes beyond just culture.

Mr Tuggar said, “Germany is a country with rich cultural heritage.

“There is a lot within that cultural space that requires investment and collaboration, because we are going through a renaissance of Nigerian culture.

“If you look at this generation of Nigerians, they listen almost exclusively to Nigerian music, especially Afrobeat.

“Meanwhile, Nigerian food and fashion are gaining global recognition.

“There is much in our culture that resonates with today’s world, particularly as people pay more attention to what they consume, especially in terms of food.

“When you talk about superfoods, lots of the things that we take for granted here are in high demand globally.

“If it is not Moringa, it is bamboo and we have some of the best ginger in the world as well. There is so much to take advantage of culturally.”

The minister advised that the ministries of culture and tourism, as well as industry, trade and investment should be equally contacted to bolster partnership in the NGICE.

“Our mission in Berlin will be informed, so that they can provide necessary support, in terms of facilitating visas; such shouldn’t be a problem for us to support.

“Also, ensure you have the German Embassy here in Nigeria fully involved in the NGICE, because it would help to bring about good success,” he added.

Speaking at the event, Mike Okiro, chairman, Board of Trustees of the Salute Nigeria Initiative, said Berlin was chosen for the NGICE because of Germany’s position as Europe’s cultural hub.

Mr Okiro, former inspector-general of police, said Mr Tuggar’s experience as Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany would, in his role as foreign affairs minister, attract more investors through NGICE and help Nigeria benefit from his time in Germany.

According to Mr Okiro, Nigeria has a lot of things beyond crude oil and gas, which are not the only resources that we have in Nigeria.

“We have so many things which we can sell to the outside world, particularly culture.

“Nigeria is going to benefit from this investment from the outside world; the more reason we are going to Germany, not only for culture, but also for attracting investment into the country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chielo Ojirika, director-general of the Salute Nigeria Initiative, said the aim of the event was to project Nigeria’s image and culture, as well as attract foreign investments.

Mr Ojirika, coordinator of the NGICE, said the event was scheduled for Oct. 20 to 23,  in Berlin.

He said it would showcase Nigeria’s rich investment and cultural potential to attract foreign direct investment and boost business partnerships with Germany and other European countries.

“The aim is to bring the world through Berlin to Nigeria, as an investors’ paradise and to strengthen the existing bilateral and economic relations between Nigeria and Germany,” he said.

(NAN)