The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that delay in issuance of traveling visas would soon be a thing of the past. It has also directed all foreign missions in Nigeria to provide comfortable accommodations for visa applicants. The Chinese Embassy, South African and several others have no conducive places for applicants a situation that leave them exposed to harsh weather conditions. At the Israeli embassy, visitors are thoroughly searched in the open. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru while meeting with media executives in his office in Abuja yesterday said the government would no longer take such ill-treatment of Nigerians. While outlining the new policy direction of the ministry which he said must be one that the average Nigerians would not only understand but appreciate, Ashiru said government is set to defend the integrity of all Nigerians, at home or abroad. “The Government will ensure the dignity of all Nigerians wherever they are and no stone will be left unturned to ensure that,” Ashiru emphasized. The minister questioned the essence of our bilateral and multilateral relationships, “if visas for genuine travelers are delayed for 14 days”. He cited the difficulties and delays experienced by Nigerians in getting Shengen visa. He said directives have been given to Nigerian missions abroad to issue warning letters to countries, especially European countries that still have Nigeria on their watch list. “Even the United States and Britain have removed Nigeria from their watch lists, so there is no reason for these other countries to still have Nigeria on that list,” he said. On the issue of Nigerian visa applicants being left in the open at the embassies, the minister said it would no longer happen. According to him, embassies have been informed of the new stand of government, adding, “We don’t treat their nationals like that in our missions abroad. “We expect them to treat Nigerians with dignity as well. When we get any complaints of maltreatment of any Nigerian, we will summon the Ambassador or High Commissioner to explain the reason’. He also disclosed Nigerian missions abroad have been mandated to attend to the welfare of all Nigerians in their host countries even when indicted for crime.
Aug62011