Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has called for a review of policy on issuance of visas to Nigerian sports men and women.
Dalung made the call in a protest letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama over the refusal of the United Kingdom and the United States of America to issue transit visas to Team Nigeria to the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.
Nigeria, having secured Bahamas visas had applied to the United Kingdom for transit visas to enable the team to fly through London.
A disturbed Dalung explained that the team was also made to pay for priority service in addition to the regular visa fees to expedite the process. All necessary travel documents to support their applications were included but only one person was issued visa out of the 26 while 24 were denied and 1 still pending.
The same response was received when the Ministry of Youth and Sports took their applications to the U.S Embassy.
Barrister Dalung lamented the refusal to issue transit visas despite several attempts to get the Foreign Affairs to intervene.
“We were made to make express payment which we did and at the end of the day, majority of our young athletes were sadly denied visas. I am in pains and I have been devastated because this has serious implications on the psychology of these young people who had offered to serve their country.
“I have deposited a protest with the Minister of Foreign Affairs against the two countries to explain to us why these young people who are sports men and women were denied mere transit visas. We were not asking for residence or long term visas. We just requested for airport direct airside transit visas which will only allow them remain at the airport and change aircraft for onward journey. We will need an explanation from these countries. It is unfortunate.”
The Minister however called for a review of such policies that hampers solidarity among nations
“Ironically, we don’t have such harsh policies in Nigeria. Citizens of these countries walk into Nigeria like lords but Nigerians seeking just transit visas are treated like common criminals in these countries. This cannot continue. We must redefine our relationship. If it is not mutually inclusive and beneficial, then we should know where we belong,”Dalung stated.
Dalung also thanked the parents of the young athletes who were denied participation at the Youth Commonwealth Games for allowing their children to be in camp for over 5 weeks.
