Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, on
Monday told the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs that the Federal Government
would withdraw the operational licence of any foreign embassy, whose country
fails to accord deserved dignity to Nigerians seeking foreign visas.
Monday told the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs that the Federal Government
would withdraw the operational licence of any foreign embassy, whose country
fails to accord deserved dignity to Nigerians seeking foreign visas.
Ashiru, who met with the committee in National Assembly
premises, said whereas some foreign embassies in the country had provided
enabling atmosphere for Nigerians seeking to undertake foreign trips, others
had continued to humiliate Nigerians by keeping them in the sun after applying
for visa.
premises, said whereas some foreign embassies in the country had provided
enabling atmosphere for Nigerians seeking to undertake foreign trips, others
had continued to humiliate Nigerians by keeping them in the sun after applying
for visa.
According to him, the ministry would not condone any
situation where Nigerians were scorched by the sun just because they applied
for visas.
He added that if Nigeria’s foreign missions did not meet such an undignifying
treatment to foreigners, Nigerians also deserved equal dignity.
situation where Nigerians were scorched by the sun just because they applied
for visas.
He added that if Nigeria’s foreign missions did not meet such an undignifying
treatment to foreigners, Nigerians also deserved equal dignity.
Ashiru, who also told senators that the hitherto waiting
period for visas in the country had drastically reduced, disclosed that Canada
had reduced its waiting days to 10.
period for visas in the country had drastically reduced, disclosed that Canada
had reduced its waiting days to 10.
While he acknowledged that there might still be a delay
in the process regarding visas to the United Kingdom, United States and
Shenzhen (China), he advised Nigerians applying for foreign visas to follow due
process through proper documentation.
in the process regarding visas to the United Kingdom, United States and
Shenzhen (China), he advised Nigerians applying for foreign visas to follow due
process through proper documentation.
Responding, Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign
Affairs, Senator Matthew Nwagwu, expressed concerns over the dearth of funds in
Nigerian missions abroad, notably in China and advised the minister to address
the trend.
Affairs, Senator Matthew Nwagwu, expressed concerns over the dearth of funds in
Nigerian missions abroad, notably in China and advised the minister to address
the trend.
Source: Thisday
