December, 2018

• 17 December

  Migrants are the pillar of German economy, says employers’ association chief

  The integration of refugees in Germany has been more successful than expected, according to the head of the country’s employers’ association. “Of more than a million people who have come to Germany especially since 2015, up to 400,000 will soon have a training position or a job,” said Ingo Kramer, the President of the Confederation of German Employers (Bundesvereinigung der …

  Read More »
• 17 December

  European Parliament approves visa proposal for refugees

  The European Parliament in Strasbourg has approved a proposal to introduce European humanitarian visas with the objective of reducing the death toll and improving the management of refugee flows. The legislative initiative was approved on Friday by 429 MEPs against 194 and 41 abstentions (absolute majority). A similar proposal had failed in November to reach the absolute majority due to …

  Read More »
• 14 December

  Nigeria 2019: Vice-Presidential Candidates to Debate Today

  The electioneering campaign for Nigeria’s next general polls hots up as the vice-presidential candidates of the leading five parties square up in a televised debate today (Friday, 14 December) at 7 pm. Those to participate at the debate, organized by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, are Prof Yemi Osinbajo of the ruling APC, Peter Obi …

  Read More »
• 13 December

  König Céphas Bansah awarded one of Ludwigshafen‘s highest honours

  The well-known Germany-based, Ghanaian chief was bestowed with a very special honour recently, as the south-western city of Ludwigshafen conferred on him one of its most prestigious honours, the Coat of Arms plaque. “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Mr Céphas Bansah for his charitable and voluntary work in Ludwigshafen and to honour him with the coat …

  Read More »
• 13 December

  Germany needs immigration, says Chancellor Merkel

  The first Federal Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration was appointed in 1978. Dignitaries, including Chancellor Angela Merkel and around 1000 guests from politics, science, industry, media and associations, gathered in Berlin on Wednesday to celebrate the milestone and put a focus on the integration of migrants in the country again. Chancellor Angela Merkel considers the integration of migrants a …

  Read More »
• 11 December

  Berlin demonstrators demand return of Benin artworks to Nigeria

  A few number of activists turned out on a cold and raining Saturday in Berlin for a public demonstration for the return to Nigeria of Benin artworks in German museums. Even though hundreds of protesters were expected to participate in the action, the low turnout did not dampen the enthusiasm of the activists. They say the demonstration, which was held …

  Read More »
• 11 December

  Switzerland lifts targeted sanctions against Eritrea

  Following a recent United Nations Security Council resolution, the Swiss government has decided to lift targeted sanctions against Eritrea. The sanctions – that include an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes – were repealed on Friday, said a government statement. The UN Security Council had imposed the sanctions in December 2009 after Eritrea was suspected of supporting armed groups …

  Read More »
• 11 December

  7 EU member states, US fail to sign UN Global Pact on Migration

  World leaders gathered in Marrakech, Morocco, to sign the UN Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration on Monday. A number of countries have refused to sign the non-binding accord, among them the US and 7 EU member states. The world’s first-ever global pact on how to deal with migration was adopted on Monday by 164 countries at a …

  Read More »
• 11 December

  Kenneth Gbandi, others nominated to the board of Nigerian Diaspora Commission

  Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Worldwide has nominated its representatives to the Federal Government’s Board of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). Kenneth Gbandi, the Chairman of NIDO Europe, said on Monday in a press statement that the nomination was in line with the act establishing the commission. He said the representatives, two from each of its continental bodies, were nominated …

  Read More »
• 10 December

  Germany: Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Angela Merkel’s successor as CDU leader

  The Christian Democrats have chosen Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to lead the party into its next phase. After 18 years, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced her decision to step down as the leader of the governing CDU in October. She did therefore not seek re-election at the CDU congress in Hamburg on Friday (7 December) but she will remain chancellor until the end …

  Read More »