 Good afternoon, everyone. May I begin by commending and congratulating the Nigerian consulate in Germany and the Nigeria-Indiaspora Organization for successfully putting together the first Nigerian-German cultural carnival. I also bring you the warm felicitations of our president, President Mohammed Buhari. In a world of increasing interconnectedness, where crisis in one corridor of the world can have a huge impact in several other places across the globe, your theme of peaceful coexistence across multi-diverse cultures couldn't be more relevant. Leaders across the world, in government, in business, and other strata of society are daily tasked with finding creative ways to facilitate a balance of interests between diverse communities of people. Perhaps one of the most complicated truths of human life is that what significantly enriches our world is that which we also fear are differences, the blessings of multiple talents and perspectives hidden in contrasting cultures, languages, and races. Every time we have found the wisdom and courage to build connecting bridges and cooperate to our mutual benefit, we have succeeded. And every time we have succumbed to the antics of demagogues who insist on fear and vision, we have struggled and suffered. This is why our pursuit of peaceful coexistence must remain unrelenting. And in many ways, the deployment of cultural initiatives, such as this, have typically succeeded, where politics in the strictest sense has failed. Culture is one of the purest expressions of the human spirit, and it has always served as an effective way of demonstrating the non-threatening value we each possess. It is through the sounds and words of Bach and Beethoven and Kant that we gain a richer understanding of Germany and Germans and how their intellectual and artistic curiosities connect to our universal aspirations and appreciation for excellence and wisdom. It is through the acclaimed stories of Achebe and Shoinka and the trumpeting creativity of Fela that we gain a richer understanding of the beauty and depth of the human spirit, and in this particular case of the Nigerian spirit. Today, Fela's trumpet has morphed even further into the global phenomenon that is Afrobeat, a sound that has captivated the consciousness of the world like few cultural phenomena have done in recent times, drawing attention to a new generation of incredibly exciting male and female Nigerian geniuses in that genre. And as you march and dance and showcase the multifaceted culture of Nigeria in all its excellence and glory in the cause of this carnival, you put the world on notice that we are much more than the challenges we face and that what will be on display in Frankfurt is a representation of an African giant dealing unflinchingly with its local and national issues while staying open and ready to do business and tourism with the world. There are over 50,000 Nigerians resident in Germany who will be represented at the carnival and many millions more spread out across the globe. You are the most profound ambassadors of our dear country and you have continued to do us proud, excelling across a range of fields and forging respectable associations with your host countries. You are a shining example of the doggedness and ingenuity of Nigerians as a whole. More importantly, your efforts will be a starter to a most delicious meal. It will lead many in your host countries and around the world to Nigeria to enjoy the main course and dessert. And so on behalf of His Excellency, President Mohamed Ibuari, I wish you an enjoyable and unforgettable carnival as you fly the flag of our great country and show the world our rich heritage. Thank you and God bless you.