FG protests poor treatment of Nigerians at Canadian Embassy

The Federal Government yesterday protested alleged poor treatment of Nigerians applying for visa at Canada’s High Commission in Nigeria.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, summoned the Canadian High Commissioner, Chris Cooter, to express displeasure at the treatment.

Ashiru noted that the visa applications processing at the High Commission is now characterised by excessive delays.

He declared that the waiting period of a minimum of 45 working days for Nigerian visa applicants to receive response from the Canadian authorities was unacceptable.

A statement issued by the ministry on the matter reads: “The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, OFR, yesterday, Thursday August 30th 2012, summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Chris Cooter, to his office to register the Federal Government’s protest on how Nigerian visa applicants are being treated at the Canadian High Commission.

“He recalled the very warm relations between the two countries, citing the example of the presence of a major Canadian company, Manitoba Hydro in Nigeria’s power sector. He further recalled that the Bi-National Commission between the two countries has been inked, paving the way for the deepening of our relations, especially in the economic sector.”

“It is against this background that the Honourable Minister expressed to the Canadian High Commissioner his disappointment at the manner the Canadian Mission in Nigeria was maltreating Nigerian visa applicants, characterised by excessive delays in processing visa applications.

“The Honourable Minister declared as unacceptable the waiting period of a minimum of 45 working days for Nigerian visa applicants to receive a response from the Canadian authorities.

“The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded by suggesting to Ambassador Chris Cooter that rather than his Mission holding on to Nigeria visa applicant’s passports, the Mission should make do with photocopies of the data pages and to sight the passports. Thereafter, the passports can be surrendered to the Mission only at the point of issuance of visas. This will allow passport holders the opportunity to use their passports for other travels, pending the approval of their visa Applications by the Canadian Mission.”

Mr. Cooter reportedly pledged to report the concerns expressed by the Minister to the appropriate authorities in Ottawa, Canada.

The Minister at the meeting commended the decision by the US to give Nigeria top priority status in its visa processing administration.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/news/59863-fg-protests-poor-treatment-of-nigerians-at-canadian-embassy.html

Everybody gives Nigeria "top visa status".....oh, so do they give other countries! Pmsl

OAM4J: FG protests poor treatment of Nigerians at Canadian Embassy

The Federal Government yesterday protested alleged poor treatment of Nigerians applying for visa at Canada’s High Commission in Nigeria.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, summoned the Canadian High Commissioner, Chris Cooter, to express displeasure at the treatment.

Ashiru noted that the visa applications processing at the High Commission is now characterised by excessive delays.

He declared that the waiting period of a minimum of 45 working days for Nigerian visa applicants to receive response from the Canadian authorities was unacceptable.

A statement issued by the ministry on the matter reads: “The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, OFR, yesterday, Thursday August 30th 2012, summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Chris Cooter, to his office to register the Federal Government’s protest on how Nigerian visa applicants are being treated at the Canadian High Commission.

“He recalled the very warm relations between the two countries, citing the example of the presence of a major Canadian company, Manitoba Hydro in Nigeria’s power sector. He further recalled that the Bi-National Commission between the two countries has been inked, paving the way for the deepening of our relations, especially in the economic sector.”

“It is against this background that the Honourable Minister expressed to the Canadian High Commissioner his disappointment at the manner the Canadian Mission in Nigeria was maltreating Nigerian visa applicants, characterised by excessive delays in processing visa applications.

“The Honourable Minister declared as unacceptable the waiting period of a minimum of 45 working days for Nigerian visa applicants to receive a response from the Canadian authorities.

“The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs concluded by suggesting to Ambassador Chris Cooter that rather than his Mission holding on to Nigeria visa applicant’s passports, the Mission should make do with photocopies of the data pages and to sight the passports. Thereafter, the passports can be surrendered to the Mission only at the point of issuance of visas. This will allow passport holders the opportunity to use their passports for other travels, pending the approval of their visa Applications by the Canadian Mission.”

Mr. Cooter reportedly pledged to report the concerns expressed by the Minister to the appropriate authorities in Ottawa, Canada.

The Minister at the meeting commended the decision by the US to give Nigeria top priority status in its visa processing administration.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/news/59863-fg-protests-poor-treatment-of-nigerians-at-canadian-embassy.html

Nonsense, let the Federal Government first "protest" the ill treatments of Nigerians by its own authorities, also, let them "protest" the abuse of citizens by systematically denying them social welfare and cares.
And also, let them "protest" against Police and Soldiers brutality: some time ago, I saw soldiers severely beating up petty traders. Shame.

How about poor treatments of Nigerians in Nigeria? Who will protest for us?

Nice one from the Minister.
The 45 working days is utterly ridiculous.

It's gotta be something in the water. . .how else do you explain how the Govt consistently gets it wrong?

Instead of wondering why Nigerians are seeking Visas out of the country in droves, they are asking Canadians to treat them right.

God!!

Ileke-IdI:
How about poor treatments of Nigerians in Nigeria? Who will protest for us?

Oluwaseun Osewa

The Canadians has arrogated unto themselves ridiculous discretion of treating Nigerian visa applicants with severe inhuman disregard. Holding unto soneone'e travel document for 45 working days suggest the applicant does not have any major business to do. The embassy should know many business people need to travel regularly around the world for business. So withholding an applicant's travel documents is akin to denying him the opportunity to grow his business, thereby directly under developing the country. I also understand that in many cases, after the 45-60 days delay, the visa application is rejected, ostensibly for frivolous reasons like (the purpose of the proposed visit is not reliable). This was the case with an uncle who is a top employee in a bank in Nigeria and wanted to spend some time in Toronto before proceeding to New york. He already had a US B1/B2 visa valid for 2 yrs and had been to Canada before as well as having numerous European visas. His passport was held for 60 days and returned with the bland refusal of (the purpose of your visit is not reliable).

It is time the government stand up to these foreign countries who think that because Nigeria is developing, they have the right to do whatever and nothing will happen. This is mentally dehumanizing the Nigerian pysch

Enough of this nonsense already

How about they fix Nigeria first, and maybe Nigerians wouldn't be treated poorly in canada because they will all be in Nigeria.

I won't be surprised to hear that one of the ministers family got their passport delayed.

That's why the government is protesting

Treat them right and give everyone a free visa to Canada.

Sisi_Kill: It's gotta be something in the water. . .how else do you explain how the Govt consistently gets it wrong?

Instead of wondering why Nigerians are seeking Visas out of the country in droves, they are asking Canadians to treat them right.

God!!

I don't think the FG got it wrong here. that Nigerians have turned the Canadian Embassy to their second home is no reason to treat them badly.

[quote author=plend

I don't think the FG got it wrong here. thiat Nigerians have turned the Canadian Embassy to their second home is no reason to treat them badly.
[/quote]thank u joor aburo... People just comment ni them no dey reason I sight u for replying with ur brain and head not your yansh.

mosh_musth: @vicjustices, kindly shut that hole in ur face if u don't know what to say.this people(canada embassy)[b]belittle us and their actions are uncalled for [/b]atleast u should commend the FG for this and her other foreign policy dsicions not too long ago they were in fight with UK and her British airline or whichever airline for over chargging us,who are they fighting for ? Sudan citizens?abeg if u no know wetin to type just sit down dey look joor.

Maybe they do so because they know no matter what they do. . . you will keep coming back because you NEED their visa.

They can keep you waiting in the sun for hours on end then turn you away at the last minute. . .and you can't do jack about it because you NEED their Visa

They can tell you to sit in the gutter for 3hrs while you wait, you will do it because you NEED their Visa.

They can ask for Ridiculous things from you. . .like the placenta to prove your mom gave birth to you and you will do it. . .why? Because you NEED their Visa.

Instead of getting mad at their ridiculousness, how's about you ask yourself why you NEED their visa??!!!

Sisi_Kill: It's gotta be something in the water. . .how else do you explain how the Govt consistently gets it wrong?

Instead of wondering why Nigerians are seeking Visas out of the country in droves, they are asking Canadians to treat them right.

God!!

Some applicants I know are trying to visit children in school and family based in Canada.

The simple maths is for the Nigerian Embassy to revert same treatment for Canadian visitors.
Quite a bunch of them are in the oil and gas service sector.

Nigeria needs to revert to tactics for tactics, not noise for tactics !!

How does this stop our government officials from being corrupt?

Is there anything like nigerian citizenship systematically? As far as

@Post

I look forward to a day that Nigeria as a country will put her house in order and when we do, there will be no need to apply for visas to these western countries. They will be the ones begging us to apply for a visa instead. In the meantime, I think the Nigerian embassy in canada should treat canadians applying for a Nigerian visa the same way canadian embassy is treating Nigerian visa applicants. I have always known that canadians are a bunch of stinking bigoted heiffers just like their american counterparts. I don't know why those canadian heiffers were given a contract to supply us with electricity. I don't trust them at all and will never give a canadian my business.

Is there anything like nigerian citizenship systematically? As far as i know,it is all man to himself and god for us all. Those that thrive from d chaos carries the banners of nigerian citizenship on their heads- The rogues.

@sisi_kill, I pray u won't be stagnant in ur dumb life,seeking entrance into their country doesn't give them d rite 2 Bleep wit us.if they are going to disrespect us why was there any diplomatic relationship between us in the begining and for this is modern word and civilization you can't just sit ur fåt ass in ur house u need to expose urself na so our own embassy for the. Side they treat their citizen wey won come naija if na to come establish business for here them go dey carry portfolio around fill of money dey bribe up n down.

mosh_musth: @sisi_kill, I pray u won't be stagnant in ur dumb life,seeking entrance into their country doesn't give them d rite 2 Bleep wit us.if they are going to disrespect us why was there any diplomatic relationship between us in the begining and for this is modern word and civilization you can't just sit ur fåt ass in ur house u need to expose urself na so our own embassy for the. Side they treat their citizen wey won come naija if na to come establish business for here them go dey carry portfolio around fill of money dey bribe up n down.

LMFAO! You ask a question then turn around and answer it.

Lemme ask you this. . . How many Nigerians are going to establish business in Canada??!!!

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Bwhahahahaha!!