By Milton Tella – The Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom, has commenced with its promise, to hold regular meetings with citizens living in the country to update and answer their questions regarding service delivery and briefings on current developments in Nigeria.
In a move, that some described as a departure from the norm, the Nigeria High Commission London promptly issued a media release on Friday 16th July, to announce the planned closure of the Mission for public holiday on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st July 2021, to observe the Muslim festival of Eid-El-Kabir as directed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The statement, signed by Rose Yaowa-Okoh, the Head of Chancery, Nigeria High Commission, read: “I am directed to inform you that the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st July 2021, as public holidays in observance of the Muslim Festival of Eid-el-Kabir.”
The release further read, “In this connection, the Mission will be closed on 20th and 21st July, 2021. However, normal business would resume on, Thursday, July 23, 2021, at 9.00am. The High Commissioner wishes the general public happy celebrations.”
The High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, in his message of felicitations to Nigerians in the UK said, “I wish all Nigerian Muslims in the UK Barka da Sallah. The lessons of obedience, faithfulness, perseverance and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah must always be a guide.”
Some Nigerians seeking passports renewals, at the Nigeria House on same dates as the holidays, contacted African Voice newspaper’s office for clarification, as the news of the possible holidays on Monday 19th – 22nd Thursday July in Nigeria spread across the UK.
The apparently anxious applicants, who were planning to visit the Mission during those dates, were directed to the information which has been promptly placed on the Nigeria High Commission London website.
Once the holidays are over, the staff at the Immigration Section will be expecting to cope with additional backlog of passport applications.
African Voice, spoke with one of the officials of the Immigration Section, on their plans to cope with the additional backlog of applicants, who already had appointments for Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st respectively.
The official, who wish to remain anonymous said, “We intend to commence our daily work earlier than usual, at 08.00am prompt rather than 09.00am, in order to manage the expected crowd. We had a trial run on Monday 19th July, a day before the holidays when there was a surge and it yielded the expected result in terms of seamlessness of our operations.
Any applicant whose appointment falls within the holiday period, is welcome to turn up any other day of their choice, they will be admitted and their application will be processed accordingly.”
He further said, “However, some members of staff do work during the holiday period to post passports that have been produced to applicants.”
In a move, to further pave the way for better understanding of the efforts of the government in Nigeria, the N0.1 citizen in the UK and representative of President Muhammadu Buhari, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola has continued with his commitment to engage with the Nigerian community in the UK.
His Excellency, the Ambassador, recently met with the executives of Ohaneze Ndigbo UK Chapter at his Abuja House residence in Kensington, London
A press release, made available to African Voice at the end of the meeting read: The fruitful engagement, centered on the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to tackle internal security. The Ohaneze Ndigbo UK leaders, re-iterated their belief, in the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the need to preserve its corporate entity.
The Ndigbo leaders, stressed the need for a Nigeria, where equity, justice and fairness will prevail. They also emphasized that Ndigbo should be accorded its enviable position as one of the tripods, on which Nigeria was founded.
The meeting, acknowledged the need for dialogue and continuous engagement on matters of concern to Nigerians, particularly, in the UK. The need to create credible communication platforms in order to be insulated from fake news and propaganda through social media was also discussed.
The various efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria, regarding internal security, was also discussed, as well as the peculiarities of the current challenges in each geopolitical zone.
Ambassador Isola re-iterated the need to desist from de-marketing of Nigeria, through negativities, as such, would hinder the flow of foreign investment to the country, which the country, truly needs at this moment.
In conclusion, the meeting emphasized the need for open, frank and peaceful dialogue as the best option in conflict resolution.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, was led to the meeting by its President, Dr Nnanna Igwe, a foremost Medical Practitioner in the UK.
Other members of the delegation were; Chief Anthony Ajiduah Former President, Ohaneze Ndigbo UK, Barrister Jude Nkwocha Legal Adviser, Ohaneze Ndigbo UK, Councillor Kate Anolue Women Leader, Ohaneze Ndigbo UK, Councillor Anna Mbachu Deputy Leader CIC UK, Chief Patrick Mokwe Consultative Council, Emmanuel Umoke Former Secretary, Mazi Charles Ariwodo VP Rep, Abia State, Councillor Victoria Kalu, Mazi Godson Azu and Chief Nnaemeka Dikeocha,
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
