The call was contained in a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations of in the Ministry of Interior, Mohammed Manga yesterday in Abuja.
According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the call while receiving the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mary Beth Leonard and her team.
He said; “the Government of Nigeria believes that the cooperation with the United States of America will help address Immigration and Consular issues in control of persons seeking to enter both countries through issuance of visa, passport and other travel documents.”
The Minister said as the Chairman, Presidential Committee on the Citizen Data Management and Harmonization, he was bold to say that Nigeria has complied with most of the issues of concern raised by America, including, but not limited to the uploading of over 700 Stolen/Lost Passports on the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Database,’ saying Nigeria is not a pariah nation.
He said he believed Nigeria is too important an ally of America to deserve such a sanction, adding that the country should be commended rather than sanctioned.
Ogbeni Aregbesola further appealed to the US to review its Visa Validity to Nigerians from two years limit to at least five years as well as establish a third office in Nigeria in reciprocity with the country which has establishments in Atlanta, New York and Washington DC.
He emphasized the need for both countries to strengthen the Security Governance Initiative between his Ministry and American Embassy through proper enlightenment and awareness creation, adding that the relationship between both nations must be mutually beneficial.
The Minister assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration is not only committed to ensuring internal security and citizenship integrity of Nigerians and foreigners alike, but also to the fight against terrorism and transnational crimes and criminalities.
‘We are positive that visa restriction is a temporary one, it will soon be put behind us,’ the Minister reiterated.
source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/02/fg-demands-reversal-of-visa-restriction.html
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