The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Commonwealth

  • Commonwealth plans visa waiver for member countries

    Commonwealth plans visa waiver for member countries

    The Commonwealth of Nations has set in motion plans to review restrictions on free movement among member states.

    To this, the body is tinkering with the idea of wavering visa requirements for some categories of citizens of its member states to facilitate easier movement among them.

    This is aimed at boosting people to people contact and relationship among member nations.

    The Commonwealth is a voluntary organization of countries with a shared history of having been British colonies and also some non British colonies that freely acceded to join.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, announced the plan after a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir. Kamalesh Sharma, in Abuja.

    He said the organisation is considering bringing back the visa waiver practice as was the tradition in the past for diplomatic and official passport holders.

    The matter which would be thoroughly discussed at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka in November, according to the minister will also include extension of the waiver to other categories of citizens such as academicians, business leaders and other professional groups that are easily identifiable.

    He said, “The Commonwealth Ministers conference has already recommended for approval at the next CHOGM meeting, the exception of holders of diplomatic and official passports within the Commonwealth from those required to obtain visas to travel within the member states.”

    The minister further stressed that such concessions are expected to ensure that ordinary citizens feel the impact of the organisation.

    Ashiru also said that steps are being taken to strengthen trade and investment among member states and to promote youth empowerment programmes.

    He also revealed that the issue of strengthening democracy was discussed.

    He further added, “We need to look at the program of education in most member states to ensure that they are adapted to a situation whereby graduates would become self employed after leaving schools instead of searching for jobs.”

    On his part, the Commonwealth scribe said some studies have shown the “Commonwealth effect” to be an entity that has huge economic potentials for its member states including providing employment for the youth population.

    While admitting that the citizens of the member states have not been fully integrated, Sharma submitted the visa waivers would be a very good step in that direction.

    “It is the Commonwealth of the people and the movement of people that is very intrinsic,” he said.

     

  • British High Commission denies Commonwealth boxing champion visa to defend title

    British High Commission denies Commonwealth boxing champion visa to defend title

    A Nigerian boxer’s dream of defending his title in Liverpool, United Kingdom, is threatened by the British High Commission’s refusal to grant him and his trainer entry visas, reports OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    IF nothing happens between now and March 8, Kareem Yakubu Olaitan’s dream of defending his Commonwealth Super-flyweight boxing title will not be realised. Reason: the British High Commission has refused him and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, visas to enter the United Kingdom. This is despite the fact that their applications were supported with letters from the promoter of the bout, Frank Warren Promotions, the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Phillip Brook Smith.

    The letter from Warren Frank Promotion shows that Olaitan is to defend his Commonwealth Super-flyweight title against Paul Butler at the Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool, UK on March 8. It also shows that the promoter will foot the bills for food, accommodation and round trip airfares for the team.

    The letter reads: “Frank Warren Promotions will meet all of the food and accommodation expenses for the duration of their team’s time in the UK as well as the round trip airfares. They will depart Lagos, Nigeria on Monday, 4th March, 2013 and return from the United Kingdom on Sunday, 9th March ,2013.

    “During their stay in the United Kingdom, they will be residing at Liverpool City Centre, Vernon Street, Liverpool, 122AY.”

    Smith, in a document supporting Olaitan’s application, pleaded with the High Commission to issue the visa.

    He said: “I confirm that the above mentioned Mr. Olaitan is the current Commonwealth Super flyweight champion under his ring name of Yaqub Kareem. He has contracted with licensed British Boxing Board of Control promoter Frank Warren to defend his title at the Olympia Stadium, Liverpool of Friday, 8th March, 2013 against current British Super-flyweight Champion Paul Better.

    “In order to fulfil this contractual obligation, it will be necessary for a UK entry visa to be granted to Mr. Olaitan and to his Trainer/Second Mr. Olatunji.

    “I confirm that Mr. Warren is a licensed promoter of over 30 years standing who has promoted some of the major Championship contests in British during this time, including those featuring well-known boxers, such as Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Nigel Benn, Maseem Hamed, Richard Hatton and very many others.

    “The hotel, transport, food, training and accommodation requirements of both named gentlemen will be taken care of by Mr. Warren’s organisation, which will also be responsible for returning both to the airport after the contest date.

    “On behalf of the CBC, l kindly request that you deal with both visa applications as expeditiously as possible in order that Mr. Olaitan (and his Trainer/Second) can arrive in the UK with sufficient time to refresh and prepare himself to enable him to take part in this contest, which will be broadcast live on the subscription TV channel Box Nation.”

    But the High Commission was not convinced by the recommendations made for Olaitan by the Commonwealth Boxing Council, Frank Warren Promotions and others. It said it was not convinced the boxer had enough ties with Nigeria that would compel him to return after the fight. It said the boxer, despite the fact that he was being sponsored for the trip, must also be personally qualified to receive an entry visa.

    The embassy’s rejection letter reads: “In order to be able to make a decision on whether or not to grant you entry clearance in this category, l have taken into account your stated circumstances in Nigeria, the reasons for your visit and your proposed travel arrangements. You have declared that you are self-employed as a tailor with no fixed income and that you have one child to support. You also state that you are a boxer and wish to defend your boxing title in the United Kingdom. Whilst I acknowledge your statement that your proposed trip to the UK is to be sponsored by your sponsor, I must take into account your personal socio-economic circumstance in Nigeria when reaching my decision. The Immigration Rules require me to be satisfied that you personally qualify for a visa. None of the money being used to fund your trip is your own. I am not satisfied that you have sufficient economic ties to Nigeria to suggest you would not seek to remain in the UK if admitted as a visitor now. Given the statements you have made and the documentary evidence you have presented to support your application, l am not satisfied that your circumstances in Nigeria, coupled with your reasons for wishing to travel to the UK, are such that you have shown your intentions are as stated or that you intend to leave the UK at the end of proposed visit.”

    The Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, in a statement, yesterday urged the embassy to rescind its decision.

    The Board said the High Commission’s decision was capable of derailing Olaitan’s career.

    It said: “With this denial of entry visa to Yakubu Kareem and his trainer, Isiaka Olatunji, the implication is that come the 8th of March, 2013, the British boxer Paul Butler, who happens to be the challenger, would be declared as the new champion without throwing a punch.”

    The secretary of the Board, Mr. Remi Aboderin, said: “This is a great injustice and we plead with the sport minister/ministry to please help address this issue before it is too late. The High Commission keeps denying applicants on the basis of the applicants not having sufficient ties or not being economically sound. This boxer needs to be allowed to travel and defend his title; if he is allowed to travel for this fight alone, he stands to earn $7,500.”

     

  • Commonwealth, British High Commission probe foreigners’ abduction

    Commonwealth, British High Commission probe foreigners’ abduction

    There were indications last night that the Foreign Commonwealth Office and British High Commission in Nigeria have begun investigation into the kidnap of seven foreigners.

    The British High Commission last night confirmed that it had opened contact with the Federal Government on the abduction of the foreigners.

    It was also gathered that the High Commission is discussing with the government on the situation of things and steps being taken to secure freedom for those kidnapped.

    A spokesman of the commission, Rob Fizt Patrick, who responded to enquiry from our correspondent at about 6.30pm, simply said: “We were aware of the report of the kidnap of some foreign nationals; we are in contact with the Nigerian authorities.”

    He did not elaborate on the level of contact with the Nigerian government.

    The Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO), in its travel advice last night, said it was already probing the abduction of the seven foreign nationals.

    The Commonwealth Office warned its citizens to be careful while travelling to Nigeria.

    It said: “There is a high threat from terrorism in Nigeria. This threat is sustained, including due to a terrorist threat of retaliatory attacks from the French intervention in Mali . On 19 January, a Nigerian military convoy en route to deployment with West African forces in Mali was attacked in Okene, Kogi State . A number of fatalities were reported.

    “Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including government, security, educational institutions and international organisations, as well as in places frequented by expatriates, business travellers and foreign tourists, such as restaurants, bars, markets, hotels, shopping centres and places of worship. A number of attacks have taken place around religious and public holidays. There have been regular attacks on churches in northern Nigeria at times of worship. We cannot therefore rule out further attacks taking place. “You should be particularly vigilant at these times and in these locations. You should avoid affected areas in the immediate aftermath of an attack.

    “International news events can sometimes trigger anti-Western demonstrations. Western diplomatic missions, interests and citizens could be the focus for protests. There is the potential for increased tension on Fridays.

    “These news events may also present some opportunities for terrorist groups to exploit. We advise particular caution and vigilance at these times, including maintaining a low profile, varying routines and not setting regular patterns of movement whilst travelling.”

  • Commonwealth award for midwives

    Midwives under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Office; Midwives’ Service Scheme, have been awarded this year’s Commonwealth award.

    The prize; Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) award on Innovations in Government Services and Programmes, was presented to Nigeria at CAPAM meeting in New Delhi, India.

    The scheme funded by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, was jointly implemented by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

    Under the scheme, unemployed and retired midwives were recruited for deployment to primary health centres in rural communities. Nigeria beat Australia and Canada to clinch the award.

    In a statement in Abuja, the Deputy Director, Information of OSSAP-MDGs, Kene Offie, said the initiative was launched in 2009 to support the country to tackle poor maternal and child healthcare.