Source: www.leadershub.org

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador
Olugbenga Ashiru has stated that Nigeria
has not received any communication on the
plan by the British government to introduce
£3,000 (about N750,000) fee as visa bond
from visitors from Nigeria.
The Sunday Times of London reported that the
Conservative government is planning to
implement a pilot scheme that would target
visitors from Nigeria, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Ghana, Pakistan and India from November. The
countries are considered as high risk of
immigration abuse in the United Kingdom.
The Minister, who spoke at a news conference in
Abuja on Monday, assured that when received,
the proposed visa policy will be carefully studied
to protect the interest of Nigerian citizens.
“Really, we have received no official
communication from the U.K. government,” he
said.
“When we receive communication from them, we
will study whatever proposal they are trying to do
but I can assure all Nigerians that President
Jonathan’s government will defend the interest of
Nigerians by whatever means it can.’’
Uk’s Home Secretary; Theresa May said the David
Cameron administration is serious about cutting
immigration and abuses of the system.
Visitors from 18 years of age and over would be
compelled to hand over £3,000 from November
for a six-month visit visa.
They will forfeit the money if they overstay in
Britain after their visa has expired.

9000 Nigerians in Prisons Abroad

Beside the visa issue, the Minister expressed
concern about the number of Nigerians in foreign
prisons, many of whom, he noted, are on death
row in Asia and pacific countries.
He said over 9000 Nigerians are currently serving
prisons term abroad, with the largest number of
752 in the UK.
“Most of the remaining prisoners are
concentrated in the Asia – Pacific region and a
good number of them are on death row” he
stated.
He however said that the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has entered transfer agreement with some
of these countries.
“We are concluding Prisoners’ Transfer
Agreement (PTA) with all those countries, such as
United Kingdom, Thailand, Japan, China,
Indonesia, Switzerland, South Africa,
Mozambique, Angola and Hong Kong, so that we
can bring home these Nigerians to complete their
prison terms.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to appeal to
members of different groups; the media, civil
societies, religious groups, traditional rulers, etc,
to join hands in the education of our youths in an
enlightenment campaign against trafficking in
drugs, in particular, and other social vices in
general.
“This assignment should not be left alone to
Governments at different levels to handle.’’
The Minister also revealed that Nigeria has
acquired a total of N8billion foreign direct
investment in 2012 following its bilateral ties with
other countries.

Source: www.leadershub.org

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