NANS gives UK mission 72 hours to remove Nigeria from travel ban list
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NANS gave the ultimatum during its protest at British Deputy High Commission in Lagos on Tuesday over the travel and visa ban placed on Nigerians over the Omicron variant.
“If there is an absence of solutions in the next 72 hours, NANS will have no other choice but to shut down the activities of British and Canadian missions across Nigeria,” NANS said at the protest.
NAN reports that following the discovery of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, the British government put Nigeria and other selected African countries on the red list.
The variant was discovered recently in South Africa and has since then been found in 38 countries including France, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, Portugal, Australia, and others.
Kehinde Damilola, Chairman, NANS Ogun Chapter told NAN during the protest that the association was displeased with the decision of the British government to place a ban on travels from Nigeria.
According to him, the decision is pure racism and an attempt to intimidate African countries, particularly Nigeria.
“We have come to say enough is enough with the treatment Nigeria constantly receives from Europe. The narrative has to change because Nigerians are not a symbol of havoc or hazard.
“This decision will affect not only visitors but also our international students who are studying in the U.K.
“The omicron variant did not emanate from Nigeria, neither do we have up to a dozen cases so why should we be punished for it even over other European countries?” he said.
The student leader urged the British mission in Nigeria to look into the situation without delay, adding that the exorbitant quarantine fee for students and visitors should also be revoked.
Also, Adegboye Olatunji, NANS South-West Coordinator, said that COVID-19 was not an African virus neither was the new variant, Omicron.
“Placing a ban on only African members of the Commonwealth is not right.
“We should be thinking of solutions on how to eradicate the virus and vaccinate Africans instead of coming up with red lists.
