The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, on Friday said that the ongoing reforms by the  Federal Government would improve the country’s economy.

The minister gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Giessen-Friedberg Germany, at his office in Abuja.

Bagudu said that some risks were taken by President Bola Tinubu to make the country work well.

He described the Dual Training/Apprenticeship Programme of the CCI Geissen-Friedberg, as a welcome development.

“There cannot be a better time for this, as it will support the social investment programme and economic reforms of the government.

“Germany is the bedrock of the European Union, as Nigeria is the Bedrock of ECOWAS, Germany is one of the success stories in Nigeria in the provision of aluminum, construction, pharmaceuticals, machinery and equipment manufacturing expertise,” he said.

 On the issue of legal migration, the minister said that a migration agreement was signed between both countries some time ago, to enable Nigerian youths migrate out of choice and be global citizens.

He said that the agreement would help them shun criminal conducts in their host countries.

Bagudu said that one of the mandates of the ministry entailed the management of bilateral economic cooperation.

Also, it includes development aids, technical assistance programmes, adding that the ministry was willing to operate in any shape or form to achieve this with Germany.

He commended the German Government for supporting the economic reforms of the Federal Government and urged other countries to do same.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the CCI Geissen-Friedberg, Dr Matthias Leder,  said that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the cooperation and partnership between the German and Nigerian Chambers of Industries.

“We are here to strengthen the Nigerian Chambers of Industries, help with dual vocational training for young Nigerians, legal skills migration and getting more rights.”

He said that the Dual Vocational Training or Apprenticeship programme was established by Germany which was in operation in Ogun State for more Nigerians to take advantage of.

“The Dual Vocational Training or Apprenticeship is the most popular form of post compulsory education in Germany as half of school leavers find their way to dual vocational training programmes.

“It entails theoretical instruction in the classroom and practical on-the-job work experience in the company providing training need skilled foreign workforce to replace its retiring baby boomer generation,” Leder said.

He said that German authorities had relaxed its immigration rules for European Union/European Free Trade Association (EU/EFTA) citizens. (NAN)

The Police Command in Lagos State has confirmed the death of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Ijanikin Police Station, CSP Bolaji Olugbenga.

The command Spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this on Friday night.

Hundeyin, however, did not give details of the officer and what led to his death.

Report earlier gathered that the DPO was said to have slumped in the office and died before he could be rushed to a hospital on Thursday night.

It was learned that the news of his death threw the officers attached to the station into mourning.

A source from the division said the body of the officer had been moved to a mortuary. (NAN)

The Police Command in Lagos State says a man allegedly jumped into a canal and died to avoid arrest in the Ipaja area of the state.

The command’s Spokesman , SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated this in post he shared on his verified X handle @benHundeyin on Friday.

He said that the incident happened on Wednesday at about 10:00 a.

Hundeyin, who was responding to the report that the man had encounter with the police, who chased him into the canal, said the report was not true.

He said that the police visited the scene and met eye witnesses on ground who voluntarily gave their statements regarding the unfortunate incident.

“The young man was a passenger on a motorcycle, riding against the traffic.

“Immediately they sighted the police approaching in their vehicle, the rider made a sharp u-turn while the passenger jumped off the motorcycle, crossed the road and ran through a nearby tipper garage.

“People in the garage who saw him running towards the canal and at the same time emptying the contents of his pockets agitatedly warned him about a canal ahead.

“He did not stop but unfortunately jumped into the canal, ” the image maker said

Hundeyin said that the police officers, startled at his behavior, stopped their vehicle, alighted and went in the direction of the canal.

“The people around informed the police that the young man had jumped into the canal.

“They all went to look, waited some minutes, did not see him, upon which the police left, believing he successfully evaded them.

“The police officers did not speak with him; did not touch him, did not chase him, did nothing. The young man simply saw them and bolted, ” he said.

He assured Lagosians that the command, under CP Olanrewaju Ishola, would not condone any form of unprofessional conduct on the part of its officers.

The spokesperson prayed God to give the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear the loss. (NAN)