Economy

German Chancellor, Scholz Visits President Tinubu

By Web News 473

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday received the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Scholz, who arrived at the Villa’s forecourt at 03:40 pm (local time), is visiting Nigeria for the first time since assuming office in December 2021.

The chancellor, who is on a two-day visit to Nigeria, is said to have been accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking German business people including Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of some of the highest-valued companies in the country as well as by a cultural delegation.

The two leaders are expected to explore ways of fortifying the bilateral relations between the two countries.

This is the third major visit of Chancellor Scholz to Africa and his first visit to Nigeria since the inauguration of President Tinubu’s administration on May 29, 2023.

Both leaders met at the 18th G20 Summit in India where the German helmsman told Tinubu, “We acknowledge the business-friendly reforms you have put in place. I am happy to inform you of my desire to visit you in Nigeria in October, which will allow us to carry forward these initiatives.”

Scholz is scheduled to meet business leaders in Lagos on Monday, October 30.

Channels/Adebukola Aluko

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Foreign

Ukraine War: Biden in Fine Balancing Act with New Aid Package

By Web News 504

President Joe Biden says the United States, US, will send Ukraine more advanced rocket systems to help it defend itself.

Mr Biden said the lethal aid would strengthen Ukraine’s negotiating position against Russia and make a diplomatic solution more likely.

The US president said: “That is why I’ve decided that we will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine.”

The weapons, long requested by Ukraine, are to help it strike enemy forces more precisely from a longer distance.

Until now, the US had refused the request out of fear the weapons could be used against targets in Russia.

The Russian government said it viewed the latest US weapons package to Ukraine including the new systems “extremely negatively”.

Separately, the German government has promised to send an air defense system to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Members of Parliament that the IRIS-T system was the most modern Germany possessed and would enable Ukraine to defend an entire city against Russian air attacks.

He added that he would provide tracking radar capable of detecting enemy artillery, and multiple rocket launchers.

Analysts say the move is a fine balancing act for Mr Biden.

As providing more powerful weapons could provoke a reaction from Russia, risking direct conflict between the US and its Nato allies and Russia.

BBC/Maxwell Oyekunle