NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Guinness World Record aspirant urges FG to address visa issues

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By Nkiru Ifeajuna

A 26-year-old travel content creator, Alma Asinobi, has urged the government to address delays in obtaining visas for Nigerians travelling to various countries.

Asinobi made this known on Thursday while speaking to journalists about her proposed expedition to travel across seven continents by road in a bid to secure a Guinness World Record.

She claimed that obtaining travel visas was difficult for Nigerians, describing the process as discouraging.

“Your passport will be held for about a month, will not give you the visa, and no one will not tell you the reason why you did not get it.

“At every point, you start afresh and no explanation is given, yet, you are spending money, it is really disheartening,” she said.

She, therefore, called on the government to urgently address these issues to prevent further humiliation for Nigerian travellers.

Asinobi, a graduate of architecture from Covenant University, told journalists that she is set to embark on a journey across seven continents in 70 hours.

Expressing her concerns, she said: “Sometimes I am scared, other times I am not, because of the encouragement I get from people.

“I am passionate about what I am doing, which is travelling to various places,” she said.

She stated that she had studied multiple routes and alternatives for over five years to avoid being stranded due to time constraints.

According to her, at every stop on her journey, she must provide proof of her location by taking a picture of important places.

Asinobi said she is expected to use commercial transport throughout, adding that she would be guided by her GPS.

“I will start from March 15 to March 23; when I come back, there will be the signing of the Nigeria flag,” she said.

Meanwhile, Asinobi’s project lead, Blessing Abeng, expressed hope that improved diplomatic relations would eliminate visa queues at embassies.

“We do not want to be identified by our colour but to be treated like fellow humans, and also have better international relations,” she said.

She added that Asinobi had undergone both physical and mental assessments to ensure she was fit for the journey.

Eneyi Obi, Chief Marketing Officer of Rise Vest, one of Asinobi’s sponsors, said they support Nigerians making a positive global impact.

“The Nigerian flag is going to be on various continents. It is a good thing, so we need to come in,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Sandra Umeh

FG seeks liberal visa regime for Nigerian coys

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By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has called for a more liberal visa regime for Nigerian companies seeking to establish businesses in foreign countries.

 

The minister made the call in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when he represented President Bola Tinubu at a meeting with executive members of the Nigerian community in Ethiopia.

 

The Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, said in a statement in Abuja that the meeting held on the sidelines of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government.

 

Idris, according to the statement, said it was only fair for other countries to reciprocate Nigeria’s gesture in providing an enabling environment for foreign companies to invest and operate.

 

“Last year, I was representing Nigeria in Indonesia and I found out that about 50 big Indonesian companies are operating in Nigeria, but we do not have up to five Nigerian companies operating in Indonesia.

 

“If they want to come to our country to trade because of our population and ability to purchase their goods and services, then there should also be that reciprocal arrangement where Nigerians are also given their rightful place,” he said.

 

On the Ethiopian government’s cancellation of the e-visa and visa-on-arrival options for Nigerian travellers, Idris gave an assurance that the matter would be handed over to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for appropriate diplomatic engagement.

 

While acknowledging the concerns raised by Nigerians in Ethiopia, the minister emphasised that visa policies among nations were typically based on the principle of reciprocity.

 

He stressed the need for balanced and mutually beneficial agreements.

 

Idris, however, urged Nigerians living abroad to consistently demonstrate good conduct and responsible citizenship in order to promote the image of the country to the outside world.

 

“We don’t allow bad people to represent us and that’s where you come in.

 

” You are the ones who are here and if you don’t represent us well, there is no way we will look good,” he said.

 

The minister said the current administration had achieved a lot in revamping the economy through provision of infrastructure, curbing insecurity and the restoration of investor confidence.

 

Idris said Nigeria recently secured $1.07 billion in Foreign Direct Investment for the establishment of drug and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

 

He said this significant investment marked the beginning of Nigeria’s medical industrialisation by positioning the country as a key player in pharmaceutical production.

 

According to him, this will reduce dependency on imports, create jobs and strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector.

 

The minister said about N32 billion had been disbursed to students under the Students Loan Scheme in less than 250 days.

 

This, he said, was to ensure that no student was denied access to quality education due to lack of funds.

 

Idris, who reaffirmed government’s commitment to tackling the nation’s security challenges, disclosed that security forces neutralised 8,000 terrorists and bandits, rescued 8,000 kidnapped victims and recorded 11,600 arrests in 2024.

 

The minister also stated that the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway, once notorious for criminal activities, had now been successfully cleared of criminal elements.

 

He said the improved security on the route had brought significant relief to commuters.

 

According to him, reform is usually a very difficult task and there is a gradual progression toward prosperity for all as promised by the president.

 

The statement quoted the President of the Nigerian Community in Ethiopia, Mr Muideen Alimi, as saying that a workshop was underway in collaboration with Nigerians in Diaspora Commission.

 

The workshop, he said, would focus on enhancing economic development through intra-African trade.

 

He urged Nigerians to support the plan to set up the African Central Bank as well as have a strong presence in the African Remittance Agency. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Perpetua Onuegbu/Mufutau Ojo)

South Africa relaxes visa rules for Nigerians

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By Salif Atojoko

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa has announced that Nigerian tourists can now apply for visas without the need to submit their passports.

He made this declaration on Tuesday during the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Cape Town, which was attended by President Bola Tinubu.

Ramaphosa stated that South Africa has simplified its visa processes to encourage travel for Nigerian businesspeople and tourists.

Among the measures introduced is the issuance of five-year multiple-entry visas.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, revealed this in a statement.

“Our efforts to create a favourable environment include the simplification of visa processes for Nigerian businesspeople travelling to South Africa.

“Qualifying Nigerian businesspeople can now obtain five-year multiple-entry visas,” Ramaphosa said.

He further pledged South Africa’s commitment to addressing the barriers to greater investment and resolving challenges faced by businesses in both nations.

“As we commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations, we envision a bright future for our partnership. The strong bonds of friendship between our countries form a solid foundation for deeper economic cooperation.

“Nigeria hosts several South African companies, and South Africa remains open to Nigerian businesses, as demonstrated by the significant investments and operations established here.

“However, more work needs to be done. We must eliminate the remaining barriers to increased investment and address the challenges that companies have encountered,” he said.

President Ramaphosa also recognised the Nigerian government’s reforms aimed at enhancing a business-friendly environment and providing greater assurance to investors, including those from South Africa.

“Our government continues to work on improving the ease of doing business in South Africa. We aim to enable investors to operate, trade, and pursue opportunities across various sectors.

“We look forward to welcoming more Nigerian companies investing in South Africa,” he added.

The South African President also noted Africa’s development and the challenges facing countries in the Global South as priorities for the G20 agenda.

“For the first time, the G20 Leaders’ Summit will be hosted on African soil. We will seek to galvanise support for the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as we advance an inclusive global agenda.

“For South Africa, it is crucial that global discussions and programmes are designed to ensure no one in our societies is left behind,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola

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