PRETORIA (AFP) – South Africa on Thursday
apologised for blocking 125 Nigerians from the
country and unveiled new immigration
procedures aimed at ending a diplomatic row
between the continent’s two powerhouses.
The dispute blew up after immigration officials
at Johannesburg’s main airport on Friday
refused entry to Nigerians over suspicions that
their yellow fever vaccination cards were fake.
Every day since, Nigeria has turned away dozens
of South Africans in retaliation.
“We apologise for this unfortunate incident and
we hope this matter will not in any way affect
our bilateral relations,” deputy foreign minister
Ibrahim Ibrahim told reporters in Pretoria.
“We’ve put into place certain mechanisms to
ensure this doesn’t happen again, and we
believe that this matter is closed,” he added.
“We are in contact with the embassy in Nigeria,
to see that there are no longer problems, and
that any difficulties over vaccination certificates
are dealt with before a visa is issued.”
He did not expect an apology from Nigeria over
its retaliatory actions, he said. “We understand
the reaction of the Nigerian authorities.”
The authorities have agreed to re-open an
airport clinic that would allow travellers to
receive yellow fever vaccines on arrival;and to
require a foreign ministry official’s consent
before immigration authorities turn away large
groups of travellers.
South Africa, the richest country on the
continent, is struggling with its reputation for
xenophobia — a perception that was reinforced
after nationwide attacks on immigrants left 62
dead in 2008.
The government has moved quickly to mend
this latest row.
“Cabinet expressed shock and regret at the
reports regarding how African foreign nationals,
particularly Nigerians, and other nationals from
other parts of the world have been treated” at
Johannesburg’s main airport, minister in the
presidency Collins Chabane told reporters in
Cape Town earlier Thursday.
On Tuesday Nigerian Foreign Minister
Olugbenga Ashiru had accused the South
African authorities of targeting Nigerians.
“What you see playing out is what we call
xenophobia by South Africans against all
Africans — not just Nigerians — including even
those from their neighbouring countries,” Ashiru
added.
Friday’s incident prompted Nigeria’s Arik Air to
suspend its flights to Johannesburg, though it
has since resumed its service.
South Africa’s ambassador also called the
Nigerian foreign ministry over the issue.
Arik, one of two airlines affected, said health
officials had given the reason as incorrect or
unrecognised batch numbers on the
documentation. Proof of vaccination is
mandatory before one can enter the country.
Sales of fake vaccination cards are common at
Nigerian borders.

From Vanguardngr.com

Qaslay:
PRETORIA (AFP) – South Africa on Thursday
apologised for blocking 125 Nigerians from the
country and unveiled new immigration
procedures aimed at ending a diplomatic row
between the continent’s two powerhouses.
The dispute blew up after immigration officials
at Johannesburg’s main airport on Friday
refused entry to Nigerians over suspicions that
their yellow fever vaccination cards were fake.
Every day since, Nigeria has turned away dozens
of South Africans in retaliation.
“We apologise for this unfortunate incident and
we hope this matter will not in any way affect
our bilateral relations,” deputy foreign minister
Ibrahim Ibrahim told reporters in Pretoria.
“We’ve put into place certain mechanisms to
ensure this doesn’t happen again, and we
believe that this matter is closed,” he added.
“We are in contact with the embassy in Nigeria,
to see that there are no longer problems, and
that any difficulties over vaccination certificates
are dealt with before a visa is issued.”
He did not expect an apology from Nigeria over
its retaliatory actions, he said. “We understand
the reaction of the Nigerian authorities.”
The authorities have agreed to re-open an
airport clinic that would allow travellers to
receive yellow fever vaccines on arrival;and to
require a foreign ministry official’s consent
before immigration authorities turn away large
groups of travellers.
South Africa, the richest country on the
continent, is struggling with its reputation for
xenophobia — a perception that was reinforced
after nationwide attacks on immigrants left 62
dead in 2008.
The government has moved quickly to mend
this latest row.
“Cabinet expressed shock and regret at the
reports regarding how African foreign nationals,
particularly Nigerians, and other nationals from
other parts of the world have been treated” at
Johannesburg’s main airport, minister in the
presidency Collins Chabane told reporters in
Cape Town earlier Thursday.
On Tuesday Nigerian Foreign Minister
Olugbenga Ashiru had accused the South
African authorities of targeting Nigerians.
“What you see playing out is what we call
xenophobia by South Africans against all
Africans — not just Nigerians — including even
those from their neighbouring countries,” Ashiru
added.
Friday’s incident prompted Nigeria’s Arik Air to
suspend its flights to Johannesburg, though it
has since resumed its service.
South Africa’s ambassador also called the
Nigerian foreign ministry over the issue.
Arik, one of two airlines affected, said health
officials had given the reason as incorrect or
unrecognised batch numbers on the
documentation. Proof of vaccination is
mandatory before one can enter the country.
Sales of fake vaccination cards are common at
Nigerian borders.

From Vanguardngr.com

"Sales of fake. Vaccination cards are common at Nigerian Borders." Our people just need to get the damn shots man.