EUROPE

Senator Ekweremadu’s assault in Nuremberg divides Nigerians in Europe

While the assault on Senator Ike Ekweremadu has been strongly condemned by all Nigerian diaspora organisations, some commentators have called for a broader look at the import of the unfortunate incident for the culture of governance in their home country. Dr Ike Ekweremadu, a member of the Nigerian Senate – the upper chamber of the country’s bicameral national legislature, was …

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Ambassador Tuggar assures Edo Community in Germany

Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, HE Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, hosted a delegation* of the Edo Community of Nigeria, Germany e.V. (Edo`s in Germany) on Friday, 16 August in Berlin. Alhaji Tuggar held a meeting with the delegation, including members of the national executive council of Edo Community Germany, in the company of Ambassador (Mrs) Shakirat Ogundero, the Deputy Head of Mission, …

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Far-right hate crimes on the rise in Germany

During the first half of 2019, German authorities registered 8,605 far-right hate crimes. That was 900 more than in the first half of 2018. In the first half of 2019, the authorities registered 8,605 extreme right-wing crimes in Germany. These included 363 acts of violence. A total of 179 people were injured, according the Federal Government in response to a …

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Majority of British people back Boris Johnson on Brexit

A majority of Britons agree that Prime Minister Boris Johnson should take their country out of the European Union “by any means”, even if that involves suspending parliament, an opinion poll conducted for the Daily Telegraph has revealed. Some 54 percent of those polled agreed with the statement “Boris [Johnson] needs to deliver Brexit by any means, including suspending parliament …

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Nigerian community in Germany loses prominent member

A prominent member of the Nigerian community in Germany has died. The death of Dr Daniel Yakubu Kutchin was announced by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Germany (NIDOG) on Friday. The nuclear physicist and IT expert was found dead on 7 August 2019 in his apartment in Monchengladbach, Germany. He was 57. “With the death of Dr Kutchin, Nigerians in …

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British-Nigerian appointed Minister by Boris Johnson

UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch (née Adegoke), aged 39, as Children and Families Minister, as part of his government reshuffle. Ms Kemi Badenoch is a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for Saffron Walden. She was born in Wimbledon, London to Nigerian parents. Her childhood was spent in Lagos and the United States. …

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Pan-African Women’s Day holds in Potsdam, focuses on business opportunities

The 10th Economic Forum of the Pan-African Women’s Day will take place on Friday, 26 July at the Chamber of Commerce (IHK) in Potsdam, Germany. The event, organised by the Pan African Women’s Empowerment & Liberation Organisation (PAWLO)-Germany, will focus on the achievements of the struggle for African Women’s empowerment. Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, the newly-elected Member of the European Parliament, …

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Berlin commemorates African resistance to German colonialism

A two-meter-high tablet reminding of German colonial history has been unveiled in Berlin on Monday. The memorial plaque, situated in the Wilhelmstraße in the Central District of the city, commemorates the “Dibobe-Petition”. A petition, submitted by Cameroon-born Martin Quane a Dibobe to the Imperial Ministry of the Colonies in June 1919, which is considered one of the most important documents …

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European commission gets first-ever woman president

Germany’s defence minister, Dr Ursula von der Leyen, secured a narrow majority win in the European Parliament on Tuesday to replace incumbent Jean-Claude Juncker as president of the European Commission. She received 383 out of 747 possible votes, just nine more than the minimum for her election. Ms von der Leyen will be the first German to lead the EU …

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Nigerian Diaspora Italy elects new executive committee

The Italian chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) has elected a new executive committee. The event, part of the annual general meeting of the body, took place on Saturday (13 July) in the city of Perugia. Dr Lawrence Akuwudike Ibekwe was re-elected Chairman for a new two-year term, a sort of approval seal for its leadership of the …

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Half of Germans view Islam as a threat, says new study

Around 50 percent of Germans are wary of Islam, a new study by Bertelsmann Foundation has found. In a study on religious diversity conducted by the highly influential NGO, one-third of the respondents see Islam as “enriching” German society. At the same time, half of participants said they view it as a “threat.” The pollsters blame the media for this …

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Number of foreigners in Germany exceeds 10 million for the first time

According to the Federal Statistical Office, the population of Germany rose slightly by 227,000 in 2018. At the end of last year, 83 million people lived in Germany 10.1 million of who were foreigners, that is, inhabitants without German passport, the new report revealed. The proportion of foreigners in the total population increased from 11.7 percent to 12.2 percent in …

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Why Black people are not recognised in Germany, by Moctar Kamara

The 12-day Kenako Afrika-Festival, featuring live music concerts, bazaar, children’s workshop, culinary, fashion shows and more, ended on 14 July in Berlin. While the annual event celebrates Africa’s colourful, multi-facetted and rich cultures, it also takes a serious look at issues affecting the continent and its diaspora. The 2019 festival, under the motto ‘Africa in Global Context’, featured podium discussions …

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German parliament passes law on withdrawal of citizenship of naturalised nationals

The German parliament has revised the Nationality Act to make it tougher on those joining foreign terrorist groups, polygamists and naturalized citizens who committed fraud to gain citizenship. The German parliament on Thursday passed three revisions to the Nationality Act governing citizenship laws. 1. Dual nationals who join terrorist organizations to lose citizenship Germans with dual nationality who join foreign …

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Germany: Missing Kenyan woman found dead

The search for the 32-year-old Kenyan woman, who was declared missing in April has ended with the tragic discovery of her decomposed remains in a forest. Rita Awour Ojunge, mother of two, was reported missing on 7 April by her husband in the town of Hohenleipisch, in the state Brandenburg. The police on Tuesday announced that after many weeks of …

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Don’t bribe any Nigerian embassy staff, Minister Mohammed Anka warns

An appeal has gone out to Nigerians living in Germany to desist from paying bribes to access service at their country’s embassy. The appeal was made by Alhaji Mohammed Bello Musa Anka, Minister in charge of the Consular & Immigration Section at the embassy, while speaking in Dortmund at the annual general meeting of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Germany …

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Nigerian Diaspora Germany elects new executive body

The German chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) has elected a new executive committee. The election was part of the body’s annual general meeting, which took place on Saturday, 22 June in the city of Dortmund. Dr RosaLyn Dressmann was elected to lead the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Germany (NIDOG) as President for the next two years at …

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Germany: Berlin to Freeze Rents for Five Years

The city of Berlin on Tuesday called for a five-year freeze on rents in the German capital beginning in 2020. Housing costs in the city have doubled over the past decade. The city’s proposed freeze would “protect against rent increases for 1.5 million apartments,” according to city officials. The move was announced after a city council meeting held Tuesday. Urban …

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