President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has charged Nigerian missions abroad to pursue a more robust and vibrant diplomacy with host countries in order to bargain better stakes for Nigerians living in diaspora.
He stated this on the night of Thursday, June 29, while responding to complaints of immigration challenges being faced by Nigerians, during an interactive session with a cross-section of the Nigerian community in Equatorial Guinea at the Nigerian Embassy in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
President Jonathan noted that with good diplomatic relations and acceptable conduct in the countries where they reside, there is no reason why Nigerian citizens cannot get better immigration concessions.
“Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are close geographically and have historical relations despite being located in different African sub-regions. With good and vibrant diplomacy probably you may not need to have a visa to enter Equatorial Guinea just like it obtains in ECOWAS countries. We are already arranging this with South Africa and some other countries in the continent, and when we revive the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission, we will discuss these issues,” the President said.
He therefore enjoined Nigerians living abroad to abide by the laws of their host countries and avoid anti-social tendencies in order to get reciprocal treatment and courtesies.
The President promised that his administration would provide better funding for Nigerian missions abroad towards a better international image for the country, noting that the missions represent the face of Nigeria abroad and should be attractive to both Nigerian and foreigners alike.
On the absence of direct flights to Equatorial Guinea and the non-existence of Nigerian commercial banks in that country, President Jonathan expressed surprise at the development considering the exploits of Nigerian businessmen on the continent particularly in banking. He however promised to engage private sector stakeholders on the issues which fall within their purview.
The President assured that apart from resuscitating the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission to address these and sundry challenges, he would pay a state visit to Equatorial Guinea later this year or early next year to identify with Nigerian interests.
Against the background of the theme for the ongoing AU summit, “Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development”, President Jonathan said his administration would diversify the nation’s economy by boosting local production in order to create job opportunities for the teeming youths. This way, he said, “you will travel in and out of the country and nobody will see you as if you cannot survive in your country.”
He used the occasion to thank Nigerians in diaspora for supporting him and the Vice President throughout the presidential campaigns and subsequent elections, assuring that his administration would not disappoint them.
President of the Nigerian Community in Equatorial Guinea, Ofuegbu Ejikeme, as well as other Nigerians who spoke at the occasion, had highlighted challenges they face in that country to include human rights abuses by host authorities, transportation difficulties as there is yet no direct flight between both countries, stringent immigration laws, difficulty in transferring business funds.
He commended President Jonathan for improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians particularly in stabilizing the prices of petroleum products, noting that “this particular feat will remain indelible in our memories. We believe in and what you can do, evidenced by what you have done so far,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Nigerian ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Dr. Gregory Okon, expressed delight at being the first out of 25 newly appointed ambassadors to host President Jonathan.
He drew the President’s attention to the decay of facilities in the embassy and appealed for government’s urgent assistance to give the premises a facelift, befitting of Nigeria’s international image and status, in view of the African Cup of Nations and the Gulf of Guinea Commission meetings coming up next year in that country.
He stated this on the night of Thursday, June 29, while responding to complaints of immigration challenges being faced by Nigerians, during an interactive session with a cross-section of the Nigerian community in Equatorial Guinea at the Nigerian Embassy in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
President Jonathan noted that with good diplomatic relations and acceptable conduct in the countries where they reside, there is no reason why Nigerian citizens cannot get better immigration concessions.
“Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are close geographically and have historical relations despite being located in different African sub-regions. With good and vibrant diplomacy probably you may not need to have a visa to enter Equatorial Guinea just like it obtains in ECOWAS countries. We are already arranging this with South Africa and some other countries in the continent, and when we revive the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission, we will discuss these issues,” the President said.
He therefore enjoined Nigerians living abroad to abide by the laws of their host countries and avoid anti-social tendencies in order to get reciprocal treatment and courtesies.
The President promised that his administration would provide better funding for Nigerian missions abroad towards a better international image for the country, noting that the missions represent the face of Nigeria abroad and should be attractive to both Nigerian and foreigners alike.
On the absence of direct flights to Equatorial Guinea and the non-existence of Nigerian commercial banks in that country, President Jonathan expressed surprise at the development considering the exploits of Nigerian businessmen on the continent particularly in banking. He however promised to engage private sector stakeholders on the issues which fall within their purview.
The President assured that apart from resuscitating the Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea Joint Commission to address these and sundry challenges, he would pay a state visit to Equatorial Guinea later this year or early next year to identify with Nigerian interests.
Against the background of the theme for the ongoing AU summit, “Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development”, President Jonathan said his administration would diversify the nation’s economy by boosting local production in order to create job opportunities for the teeming youths. This way, he said, “you will travel in and out of the country and nobody will see you as if you cannot survive in your country.”
He used the occasion to thank Nigerians in diaspora for supporting him and the Vice President throughout the presidential campaigns and subsequent elections, assuring that his administration would not disappoint them.
President of the Nigerian Community in Equatorial Guinea, Ofuegbu Ejikeme, as well as other Nigerians who spoke at the occasion, had highlighted challenges they face in that country to include human rights abuses by host authorities, transportation difficulties as there is yet no direct flight between both countries, stringent immigration laws, difficulty in transferring business funds.
He commended President Jonathan for improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians particularly in stabilizing the prices of petroleum products, noting that “this particular feat will remain indelible in our memories. We believe in and what you can do, evidenced by what you have done so far,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Nigerian ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Dr. Gregory Okon, expressed delight at being the first out of 25 newly appointed ambassadors to host President Jonathan.
He drew the President’s attention to the decay of facilities in the embassy and appealed for government’s urgent assistance to give the premises a facelift, befitting of Nigeria’s international image and status, in view of the African Cup of Nations and the Gulf of Guinea Commission meetings coming up next year in that country.
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