The United Kingdom has aborted its plan to
place a £3,000 bond on Nigerians seeking
entry to the country, a spokesman for
Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Ministry told Daily
Trust in Abuja on Monday.
The Sunday Times of London had quoted UK
Home Secretary Theresa May as saying that a
pilot scheme that would target visitors from
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria
and Ghana would take off in November under
which travellers from those countries would pay
a cash deposit of £3,000 to deter immigration
abuse. They will forfeit the money if they
overstay their visas.
But when contacted for comments yesterday,
spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry in
Abuja, Mr Ode Ogbole, replied with text
message saying: "It's been rescinded". He did
not give further details and did not answer
subsequent telephone calls.
Another official of the ministry who chose to
remain anonymous also told Daily Trust that a
message from the UK government rescinding
the plan had been sent to the Presidency.
Earlier yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister
Olugbenga Ashiru told journalists at the
ministerial platform commemorating the mid-
term anniversary of the Jonathan administration
that no official communication had been
received from the British government by
Nigeria on the subject.
He assured Nigerians of government's 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 good
image.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Committee has described the
proposed UK entry bond as discriminatory and
unacceptable.
"This is totally discriminatory and unacceptable.
It is targeted to non-white Commonwealth. We
would take a critical look at the policy as it
affects Nigerians and come up with a way
forward," committee chairman Rep. Nnenna
Elendu-Ukeje (PDP Abia) said in a statement.
"We agreed totally with the UK Foreign
Minister that the policy is totally unworkable
and impractical. It is contrary to the
commitment made to our President by David
Cameron during their last meeting. We believe it
is for political reason ahead of general election.
We seek that our long historical relationship
should take precedence over political
expediency," Ukeje said.

Up Nigeria!

Ije004: The United Kingdom has aborted its plan to
place a £3,000 bond on Nigerians seeking
entry to the country, a spokesman for
Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Ministry told Daily
Trust in Abuja on Monday.
The Sunday Times of London had quoted UK
Home Secretary Theresa May as saying that a
pilot scheme that would target visitors from
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria
and Ghana would take off in November under
which travellers from those countries would pay
a cash deposit of £3,000 to deter immigration
abuse. They will forfeit the money if they
overstay their visas.
But when contacted for comments yesterday,
spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry in
Abuja, Mr Ode Ogbole, replied with text
message saying: "It's been rescinded". He did
not give further details and did not answer
subsequent telephone calls.
Another official of the ministry who chose to
remain anonymous also told Daily Trust that a
message from the UK government rescinding
the plan had been sent to the Presidency.
Earlier yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister
Olugbenga Ashiru told journalists at the
ministerial platform commemorating the mid-
term anniversary of the Jonathan administration
that no official communication had been
received from the British government by
Nigeria on the subject.
He assured Nigerians of government's 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 good
image.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives
Foreign Affairs Committee has described the
proposed UK entry bond as discriminatory and
unacceptable.
"This is totally discriminatory and unacceptable.
It is targeted to non-white Commonwealth. We
would take a critical look at the policy as it
affects Nigerians and come up with a way
forward," committee chairman Rep. Nnenna
Elendu-Ukeje (PDP Abia) said in a statement.
"We agreed totally with the UK Foreign
Minister that the policy is totally unworkable
and impractical. It is contrary to the
commitment made to our President by David
Cameron during their last meeting. We believe it
is for political reason ahead of general election.
We seek that our long historical relationship
should take precedence over political
expediency," Ukeje said.

Source of this news?

Oya make i begin pack my bag.