The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, has urged the British High Commission to relax its strict entry visa conditions to ease the hardship of Nigerians travelling to the United Kingdom for legitimate businesses.

A statement by the Special Adviser (media) to the speaker, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said that Bankole made the appeal on Monday when he received the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria , Mr. Bob Dewar in his office.

It said that Bankole expressed concern over the hardship Nigerians were made to go through before obtaining UK visa and asked the Commission to soften its visa policy on Nigerians.

It said that the speaker noted that the relaxation of the visa policy would promote bi-lateral relations, foster unity as well as strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

It quoted Bankole as saying, “A forum such as this provides an opportunity for us as representatives of the people to bring to the notice of the British High Commission, the hardship faced by Nigerians before obtaining UK visa.

“We should know that visa by Nigerians to UK will foster unity and strengthen economic relations between the two countries.”

Bankole noted that diplomatic relations between the country and Britain would continue to flourish and wax stronger due to the historical ties between the two countries.

He said that there was no doubt that UK remained second home to most Nigerians.

He expressed gratitude to the high commissioner for recognising the feat the country achieved in global arena and assured him that the legislature would step up measures that would strengthen the country’s participation in global programmes.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art200804233405478

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Recognize when politicians makes political statements. I guess this is his indirect way of saying "don't treat all Nigerians visa applicants as potential criminals, there a lot of business travellers with genunine intentions, give them the benefit of doubt rather than take the approach, all-visa-applicants-are-potential-forgers-tricksters-fraudsters-until-they-can-prove-themselves-to-be-otherwise."

Just IMHO

LondonCool:

What aspect of the strict UK Immigration visa conditions does the Speaker want the UK to waive for Nigerians travelling for legitimate business ? The same visa conditions apply to all Visa-Nationals all over the world.

Exactly! It is the self-centre mentality that irks me to no end. Instead of them to investigate if such visa restrictions are only applied when it comes to Nigerians, they well readily assume that it is just so they can make some noise for the sole sake of it!