US Ambassador Says Visa Ban on Nigerians Not Permanent
United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Beth Leonard, Tuesday explained that the US Visa ban placed on Nigerians was not permanent.
Leonard said the policy is subject to review by the US government, adding that this will depend on certain conditions being fulfilled by Nigeria.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, she explained that contrary to beliefs that the ban had to do with character definition of Nigeria, it was simply on US’ concerns for information sharing with Nigeria.
She said, “I need to clarify something for you here. The immigrant visa ban does not affect people who are currently resident in the United States. It does not cancel the status of anyone who is currently in the United States. What the Secretary of State, Mike Pompey, said was something that was meant to be temporary.
And it is about problems with information sharing, which are investigable, achievable and resolvable and we look forward to Nigeria in a very short time being able to meet those information sharing goal so that the decision can be reviewed”.
She advised Nigeria to work hard on diversifying the economy as well as exploitation of the huge entrepreneurial manpower in the country.
She added, “I think for Nigeria, you have an interesting story about diversification of your economy and prosperity of your economy. And it is people. You know Nigerians are so well known at home and abroad for their industriousness.
“You know you hear about how much of the activity in the informal sector. So, I wonder how you think about capturing that entrepreneurial spirit and bringing it into the formal sector in service and to enhance employment.”
The response from the Ambassador followed concerns raised by Ngige on the Visa ban placed on Nigeria.
Ngige said it was surprising since some of those affected in the ban were critical professionals who have contributed so much to the US ecoomy.
“Some of these Nigerians are medical doctors, engineers and people with high level of proficiency in oil and gas fields. They were all part of the Nigerian residents in the US and it came to us as a rude shock when the United States Government banned Nigerians and put us on the list of those countries whose residency status have been cancelled.”
About Post Author
