The Federal Government, yesterday, described as
discriminatory and capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth
family, the proposed new UK visa policy requesting visitors from
Nigeria to post a £3,000 bond before entering the UK.
The Nigerian government has, therefore, asked the British government to reconsider the proposed policy, saying it is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.
The Federal Government also assured its British counterpart that it has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who might be affected by the proposed policy, if finally introduced.
The Senate on its part rejected the policy and threatened to push same treatment for UK citizens travelling to Nigeria if the UK government goes ahead with the visa policy.
At the end the closed door meeting, which lasted for several hours in the ministry, the British envoy clarified that the policy had not reached the stage of implementation.
A statement from the ministry, signed by its spokesman, Ogbole Ode, confirming the meeting, said: “At the meeting which was held at the Tafawa Balewa House, the minister expressed strong displeasure of the government and people of Nigeria over the policy, which he described as not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family.
Policy’ll negate joint commitment
“The minister recalled with nostalgia, the times when nationals of the Commonwealth travelled freely to the UK and to other member states. This, no doubt, deepened the strong historical bonds among the peoples of the various countries who were all regarded at that time as Commonwealth citizens. He further recalled that this time-honoured practice was unilaterally jettisoned by the UK government in 1986, thereby weakening the bonds of the Commonwealth family.
“The minister further opined that the proposed policy would definitely negate the joint commitment by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Goodluck Jonathan to double the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by 2014, just as it would hinder people-to-people contacts, which is one of the cardinal principles of the Commonwealth.
“Ambassador Ashiru said the decision of the UK Government is coming at a time the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers have unanimously recommended for adoption at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, holding in Colombo, Sri Lanka in November, a proposal to remove visa requirements for holders of official and diplomatic passports from member states.
“The minister, therefore, called on the UK Government to reconsider the proposed policy, which is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.
“He, however, informed the British High Commissioner that the Federal Government of Nigeria has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who may be affected by the proposed policy, if finally introduced.”
No decision yet —British High Commissioner
Clarifying the visa policy, the British High Commissioner in a statement signed by Head of Press and Public Affairs Section, Rob Fitzpatrick, explained the position of his government.
According to him, “the details of a pilot scheme are still being worked out. No final decision has been made. If the pilot were to go ahead in Nigeria it would affect only a very small number of the highest risk visitors.The vast majority would not be required to pay for a bond. Those paying bonds would receive the bond back, if they abided by the terms of their visa.
“Let me put this in perspective. Over 180,000 Nigerians apply to visit the UK each year. About 70 per cent or around 125,000 of those applicants are successful. Travel between our two countries is a key part of our strong cultural and business relationships. Financial bonds would be focused on only a tiny minority of potential abusers. It would not be a ‘£3000 visa charge’ as some media reporting has alleged.
“As soon as more details of the policy have been decided, we will inform the Nigerian government and public fully and officially, in the spirit of our long standing friendship and our wish to help bonafide Nigerian visitors to work, study,or do business in the United Kingdom.”
Senate rejects proposed policy
In its reaction, yesterday, the Senate said it rejects the proposed UK visa policy, threatening that it would push for similar treatment for UK citizens in Nigeria or those seeking entry into the country by the time Nigeria is officially notified of the new development.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Matthew Nwagwu, PDP, Imo North, told Vanguard that Nigeria would not hesitate to subject UK immigrants in Nigeria to the same fate but said the payback would only commence when the country was formally communicated.
His words: “I want to say that I have heard about this proposed policy by the United Kingdom government but I must tell you that I have not received any official statement from the UK or Foreign Affairs Ministry. When we get the official position of UK regarding this, whether it’s a law or policy or whether it is an instrument that passes through the parliament, then one can make a very precise comment on it.
“But as a Nigerian, I have to say that any government, including the UK government has the right to make a law that will protect its interest. So it’s left to Nigeria also to make laws that will protect Nigerian citizens’ interests also. When they inform us officially on this policy, we will sit down to study it and then respond to them officially. We will not accept it if Nigeria is branded among countries they are targeting and we will respond to them in that order. That is what we call reciprocity.
“Reciprocity implies that for example if the UK government imposes this obnoxious policy on Nigerians, Nigeria also has the right to find a way to reply. It is done in relationships.”
But he advised Nigerians trooping to the United Kingdom to begin to think of alternative travel destinations, saying: “If the policy comes into effect, it’s left to Nigerians also to begin to find alternative to travel destinations.
“I’m sure Nigerians would also respond on their own without anybody telling them.”
Senator Nwagwu said if the UK authority was coming up with the policy because of Nigeria’s security challenge, then they must think twice.
Nigeria is generally calm
He said: “If the Britons are judging us like that, then, that is their own judgment. We have many Britons, many UK people living in Nigeria and they are moving about freely and doing their businesses. At times, you want to refer to situations in some parts of the North, and say yes, that may have been the reason they are coming up with this but Nigeria generally is calm and peaceful and many foreigners are doing their work and businesses.
“So, to classify Nigeria as one of the countries posing security threats is out of the way. And like I have said earlier, you have to look at your friend properly, to know whether he is the friend you know or not. Britain should even be the one to properly understand Nigeria and her problems and then help us in whatever way they can. I am sure they are helping but if they impose law on Nigeria, then that questions our continued relationship in this country.
“Again, if this is true, then we will have to begin to think of how to reciprocate. That is my position on this. I have told you about the principle of reciprocity. That is what it means. Normally, if Nigeria is threatened in a shady way and Nigerians are excluded from a country, then, Nigeria must find a way to respond. Whatever that response should be, it’s up to the government to decide.”
Labour condemns policy
Organised Labour also, yesterday, condemned in very strong terms, the new visa policy introduced by the British Government, describing it as racism.
The two labour centres in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, said the policy was unacceptable and called on the government to respond with stiffer measure should diplomacy fail to resolve it.
Bad omen
Newly elected President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, said it was a bad omen and that Nigeria should impose same policy on British citizens coming to Nigeria.
According to him, “we are in a global village. No country should feel it is more important than the other. If diplomatic efforts are unable to resolve it, Nigeria should retaliate and impose same fine on British citizens coming to Nigeria. It should be tit for tat.”
On his part, Deputy President of NLC, Joe Ajaero said it was a diplomatic slap on Nigeria and other African countries affected.
He said: “If economy is not doing well, it should not impose such fine on Nigerians to make their economy to recover. Nigerians visiting Britain are already contributing to the recovery of British economy through tourism and the hotels they lodge among others. This is pure racism and apartheid. It is unacceptable. Nigeria should look for areas that will hit the British Government severely to punish Britain, it could be oil. Nigerian government should not accept it. It is pure apartheid.”
Nigeria should not be apologetic—Fasehun
In his reaction, founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun said: “What Britain has done is good because I see it as a challenge to Nigeria. The nation should also increase its visa fees.
“What is stopping Nigeria from responding to Britain action for action and word for word? We don’t need to be apologetic over this or cry over it, because this is international diplomacy. What is expected of this nation in this circumstance is to also show that it is a sovereign nation by coming up with a response to it. I know that not all the British people living in this country are desirable. Some don’t even have valid documents and are undesirable. Who are the people stealing our oil?
Reps summon Foreign Minister
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, to brief the lawmakers on the planned policy of the British Government.
A member of the committee who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity confirmed that the meeting would hold tomorrow by 2 pm at Committee Room 107 of the House.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Warman Ogoriba (PDP) representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State who spoke to Vanguard in a telephone interview last night said Britain had the right to introduce any policy to safeguard the interest of its citizens and economy.
According to him, “inasmuch as I believe that the policy about to be introduced by Britain is unfair to Nigeria and other countries that are affected, I think it is a wake-up call on the nation. If Nigerian leaders had put their acts together to make this country work, I don’t see any reason why we should be rushing to the United Kingdom or any other country in large numbers.
”Can you ask yourself why didn’t they introduce such a policy against South Africans? “They
can’t introduce such a policy against citizens of South Africa because that country has world class cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town where its citizens can live a modern life. But unfortunately for us, Nigerian leaders don’t want to put things right. If they had done the right things, why would Nigerians be trooping to the British High Commission in large numbers in search of visas?
“In addition to that, Britain as a country has the right to introduce any policy for the good of their own society. If you consider what they are saying, you cannot dismiss it. They are saying that their facilities are over stretched. We don’t have any reason to argue with them over a policy they have introduced for the good of their people and their economy. We can only shout. If any Nigerian doesn’t like the policy, then he can sit down at home. “
Visa bond proposal not considered by UK ——India
India, which is another country to be affected by the proposed UK visa policy said it had been assured by the UK that the proposal has not been considered by the British government.
This was conveyed to Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma by Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills during a meeting in London.
According to an official release in New Delhi, “Cable informed the Indian minister that he had discussed the issue with the British Home Secretary who had assured that there was proposal mooted for a pilot which has not been considered by the British government.”
Source: Vanguard
The Nigerian government has, therefore, asked the British government to reconsider the proposed policy, saying it is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.
The Federal Government also assured its British counterpart that it has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who might be affected by the proposed policy, if finally introduced.
The Senate on its part rejected the policy and threatened to push same treatment for UK citizens travelling to Nigeria if the UK government goes ahead with the visa policy.
President Jonathan
The British High Commission in Nigeria has, however, clarified that
no final decision has been made on the matter. British High Commissioner
to Nigeria, Dr Andrew Pocok, made the clarification when he honoured
the summons on him by Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga
Ashiru, to express Nigeria’s displeasure over the proposed visa bond of
£3,000 for intending visitors to UK from Nigeria.At the end the closed door meeting, which lasted for several hours in the ministry, the British envoy clarified that the policy had not reached the stage of implementation.
A statement from the ministry, signed by its spokesman, Ogbole Ode, confirming the meeting, said: “At the meeting which was held at the Tafawa Balewa House, the minister expressed strong displeasure of the government and people of Nigeria over the policy, which he described as not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the spirit of the Commonwealth family.
Policy’ll negate joint commitment
“The minister recalled with nostalgia, the times when nationals of the Commonwealth travelled freely to the UK and to other member states. This, no doubt, deepened the strong historical bonds among the peoples of the various countries who were all regarded at that time as Commonwealth citizens. He further recalled that this time-honoured practice was unilaterally jettisoned by the UK government in 1986, thereby weakening the bonds of the Commonwealth family.
“The minister further opined that the proposed policy would definitely negate the joint commitment by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Goodluck Jonathan to double the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by 2014, just as it would hinder people-to-people contacts, which is one of the cardinal principles of the Commonwealth.
“Ambassador Ashiru said the decision of the UK Government is coming at a time the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers have unanimously recommended for adoption at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM, holding in Colombo, Sri Lanka in November, a proposal to remove visa requirements for holders of official and diplomatic passports from member states.
“The minister, therefore, called on the UK Government to reconsider the proposed policy, which is incompatible with the strong and cordial relations built over the years between the UK and Nigeria.
“He, however, informed the British High Commissioner that the Federal Government of Nigeria has a responsibility to take appropriate measures to protect the interest of Nigerians who may be affected by the proposed policy, if finally introduced.”
No decision yet —British High Commissioner
Clarifying the visa policy, the British High Commissioner in a statement signed by Head of Press and Public Affairs Section, Rob Fitzpatrick, explained the position of his government.
According to him, “the details of a pilot scheme are still being worked out. No final decision has been made. If the pilot were to go ahead in Nigeria it would affect only a very small number of the highest risk visitors.The vast majority would not be required to pay for a bond. Those paying bonds would receive the bond back, if they abided by the terms of their visa.
“Let me put this in perspective. Over 180,000 Nigerians apply to visit the UK each year. About 70 per cent or around 125,000 of those applicants are successful. Travel between our two countries is a key part of our strong cultural and business relationships. Financial bonds would be focused on only a tiny minority of potential abusers. It would not be a ‘£3000 visa charge’ as some media reporting has alleged.
“As soon as more details of the policy have been decided, we will inform the Nigerian government and public fully and officially, in the spirit of our long standing friendship and our wish to help bonafide Nigerian visitors to work, study,or do business in the United Kingdom.”
Senate rejects proposed policy
In its reaction, yesterday, the Senate said it rejects the proposed UK visa policy, threatening that it would push for similar treatment for UK citizens in Nigeria or those seeking entry into the country by the time Nigeria is officially notified of the new development.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Matthew Nwagwu, PDP, Imo North, told Vanguard that Nigeria would not hesitate to subject UK immigrants in Nigeria to the same fate but said the payback would only commence when the country was formally communicated.
His words: “I want to say that I have heard about this proposed policy by the United Kingdom government but I must tell you that I have not received any official statement from the UK or Foreign Affairs Ministry. When we get the official position of UK regarding this, whether it’s a law or policy or whether it is an instrument that passes through the parliament, then one can make a very precise comment on it.
“But as a Nigerian, I have to say that any government, including the UK government has the right to make a law that will protect its interest. So it’s left to Nigeria also to make laws that will protect Nigerian citizens’ interests also. When they inform us officially on this policy, we will sit down to study it and then respond to them officially. We will not accept it if Nigeria is branded among countries they are targeting and we will respond to them in that order. That is what we call reciprocity.
“Reciprocity implies that for example if the UK government imposes this obnoxious policy on Nigerians, Nigeria also has the right to find a way to reply. It is done in relationships.”
But he advised Nigerians trooping to the United Kingdom to begin to think of alternative travel destinations, saying: “If the policy comes into effect, it’s left to Nigerians also to begin to find alternative to travel destinations.
“I’m sure Nigerians would also respond on their own without anybody telling them.”
Senator Nwagwu said if the UK authority was coming up with the policy because of Nigeria’s security challenge, then they must think twice.
Nigeria is generally calm
He said: “If the Britons are judging us like that, then, that is their own judgment. We have many Britons, many UK people living in Nigeria and they are moving about freely and doing their businesses. At times, you want to refer to situations in some parts of the North, and say yes, that may have been the reason they are coming up with this but Nigeria generally is calm and peaceful and many foreigners are doing their work and businesses.
“So, to classify Nigeria as one of the countries posing security threats is out of the way. And like I have said earlier, you have to look at your friend properly, to know whether he is the friend you know or not. Britain should even be the one to properly understand Nigeria and her problems and then help us in whatever way they can. I am sure they are helping but if they impose law on Nigeria, then that questions our continued relationship in this country.
“Again, if this is true, then we will have to begin to think of how to reciprocate. That is my position on this. I have told you about the principle of reciprocity. That is what it means. Normally, if Nigeria is threatened in a shady way and Nigerians are excluded from a country, then, Nigeria must find a way to respond. Whatever that response should be, it’s up to the government to decide.”
Labour condemns policy
Organised Labour also, yesterday, condemned in very strong terms, the new visa policy introduced by the British Government, describing it as racism.
The two labour centres in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, said the policy was unacceptable and called on the government to respond with stiffer measure should diplomacy fail to resolve it.
Bad omen
Newly elected President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, said it was a bad omen and that Nigeria should impose same policy on British citizens coming to Nigeria.
According to him, “we are in a global village. No country should feel it is more important than the other. If diplomatic efforts are unable to resolve it, Nigeria should retaliate and impose same fine on British citizens coming to Nigeria. It should be tit for tat.”
On his part, Deputy President of NLC, Joe Ajaero said it was a diplomatic slap on Nigeria and other African countries affected.
He said: “If economy is not doing well, it should not impose such fine on Nigerians to make their economy to recover. Nigerians visiting Britain are already contributing to the recovery of British economy through tourism and the hotels they lodge among others. This is pure racism and apartheid. It is unacceptable. Nigeria should look for areas that will hit the British Government severely to punish Britain, it could be oil. Nigerian government should not accept it. It is pure apartheid.”
Nigeria should not be apologetic—Fasehun
In his reaction, founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun said: “What Britain has done is good because I see it as a challenge to Nigeria. The nation should also increase its visa fees.
“What is stopping Nigeria from responding to Britain action for action and word for word? We don’t need to be apologetic over this or cry over it, because this is international diplomacy. What is expected of this nation in this circumstance is to also show that it is a sovereign nation by coming up with a response to it. I know that not all the British people living in this country are desirable. Some don’t even have valid documents and are undesirable. Who are the people stealing our oil?
Reps summon Foreign Minister
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, to brief the lawmakers on the planned policy of the British Government.
A member of the committee who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity confirmed that the meeting would hold tomorrow by 2 pm at Committee Room 107 of the House.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Warman Ogoriba (PDP) representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State who spoke to Vanguard in a telephone interview last night said Britain had the right to introduce any policy to safeguard the interest of its citizens and economy.
According to him, “inasmuch as I believe that the policy about to be introduced by Britain is unfair to Nigeria and other countries that are affected, I think it is a wake-up call on the nation. If Nigerian leaders had put their acts together to make this country work, I don’t see any reason why we should be rushing to the United Kingdom or any other country in large numbers.
”Can you ask yourself why didn’t they introduce such a policy against South Africans? “They
can’t introduce such a policy against citizens of South Africa because that country has world class cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town where its citizens can live a modern life. But unfortunately for us, Nigerian leaders don’t want to put things right. If they had done the right things, why would Nigerians be trooping to the British High Commission in large numbers in search of visas?
“In addition to that, Britain as a country has the right to introduce any policy for the good of their own society. If you consider what they are saying, you cannot dismiss it. They are saying that their facilities are over stretched. We don’t have any reason to argue with them over a policy they have introduced for the good of their people and their economy. We can only shout. If any Nigerian doesn’t like the policy, then he can sit down at home. “
Visa bond proposal not considered by UK ——India
India, which is another country to be affected by the proposed UK visa policy said it had been assured by the UK that the proposal has not been considered by the British government.
This was conveyed to Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma by Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills during a meeting in London.
According to an official release in New Delhi, “Cable informed the Indian minister that he had discussed the issue with the British Home Secretary who had assured that there was proposal mooted for a pilot which has not been considered by the British government.”
Source: Vanguard
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