Olugbenga Ashiru, minister of foreign affairs, insists that the Nigerian government has not been officially informed by the British government of the compulsory three thousand pounds payment expected from Nigerians before entering the United Kingdom.
In November, it was reported that a pilot scheme will target visitors from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana to pay the UK government a form of cash guarantee or deposit to deter immigration abuse. They will forfeit the £3,000 if they overstay in Britain and fail to return to their home countries by the time their visa expires.
The controversial move by the UK home secretary, Theresa May, to introduce the Australian-style system reflects aims to deter foreigners from overstaying their visas.
Presenting his scorecard on Monday in Abuja during the Ministerial Platform commemorating the mid-term anniversary of Jonathan’s administration, the minister said, “No official communication from British government yet on the issue to Nigeria.”
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He assured Nigerians of Federal Government readiness to defend and protect them all over the world but urged them to always conduct themselves in a manner that will portray Nigeria in a good image.
Speaking on Nigeria’s foreign policy, Ashiru noted that Nigerians living abroad are the focus of the policy, adding that Nigerian ambassadors have been tasked to see to the plight of Nigerians in their country of assignment.
“We are using the foreign policy to support job and wealth creation in Nigeria especially through the public-private partnership. All our envoys now know that they must liaise with Nigeria communities because their welfare is the first primary assignment of all Nigerian ambassadors abroad to ensure safety of Nigerians in that country,” the minister said.
He, however, warned that Nigerian government will not be responsible to any one that is found wanting in foreign lands but will be there to give them support and share in their grief.
The minister disclosed that they are already concluding prisoner transfer agreements with a number of countries with large concentration of Nigerians in prisons which will allow Nigerians in prison abroad to be transferred home to complete their prison sentences.
