THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt brought the diaspora together for a landmark town hall meeting on Friday, 1 August 2025, as part of its ongoing Consular and Migration Sensitisation Programme. Held in Frankfurt am Main, the gathering provided a rare platform for direct interaction between the Consul General, Ambassador Yakubu Dadu, and Nigerians living in Germany.
Among the speakers was Chuks Lewis Ehiwario, President of Concerned Nigerians Germany e.V., who delivered a keynote address titled “Legal Obligations and Practical Ways to Navigate Legal Matters in Germany.” His message was clear: knowing your rights is not enough — you must also fulfil your responsibilities and understand how to work within the legal system.
Ehiwario highlighted common pitfalls that Nigerians encounter, from legal missteps to family welfare disputes. He stressed that justice should never be out of reach due to cost, pointing to Germany’s legal aid provisions for low-income earners. He also encouraged attendees to consult the Rechtsanwaltskammer (Bar Association) to find specialist lawyers suited to their cases.
A particularly urgent theme was parenting challenges in Germany. Ehiwario cautioned against confrontational behaviour in sensitive child welfare cases, advocating instead for calm engagement with culturally aware professionals. “Parents must know their rights, understand the expectations of the system, and seek support early,” he said.
Ambassador Dadu, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to renew passports at least six months before expiry and called for greater unity among Nigerian groups in Germany. Ehiwario strongly agreed, noting that disunity weakens the community’s ability to protect its interests.
While praising the Consulate’s willingness to engage, Ehiwario emphasised the need for improved communication channels, accurate data collection, and consistent delivery on promises — including the timely issuance of enhanced passports.
Speaking on behalf of Concerned Nigerians Germany e.V., Ehiwario outlined the organisation’s grassroots mission: providing advice, mediating with authorities, supporting job and housing searches, offering interpretation services, and guiding asylum seekers through legal processes.
His verdict on the event? “A turning point.” The interactive format allowed for genuine dialogue, tackling pressing issues head-on. But for the Nigerian community in Germany to truly thrive, Ehiwario believes unity must move beyond rhetoric. “If we cannot stand together here, we cannot bring meaningful change back home,” he said.
The Frankfurt meeting left many hopeful that such forums will not only continue but expand across Germany, strengthening the bridge between the Mission and the Nigerian diaspora.
Sola Jolaoso
