Nigeria, Namibia Finally Resolve Deplomatic Tussle, Agree To Respect Visa Deal And Other Obligations
The Nigerian Government and its Namibia counterpart have agreed to set aside their differences and work towards strengthening its bilateral cooperation not just in the area of Visa but in every areas of mutual benefit not only to the two countries but the entire African continent.
According to a press statement signed by the Senior Assistant, Media to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sarah Sanda, the agreed mechanism for achieving the goal is through a meeting of the Joint Commission which will be taking place early next year (2020).
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting with Namibian Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and other Namibian Ministers, leader of the Nigerian delegation and Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama said “we addressed recent issues regarding the issuance of visas to Namibians and Nigerians and entry into Namibia for Nigerians and reached very important and concrete agreements in respect of those. Any Namibian wishing to obtain a visa to Nigeria can apply and will be considered as was the case in the past. Once the requirements are met satisfactorily, such a person will be issued a visa. Same applies to a Nigerian wishing to go to Namibia.
According to the statement, the meeting also agreed that any visa denial or deportation will not be stamped in the holders passport adding that, “consular meetings will be held quarterly to assess how things are progressing.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister also informed that Nigeria is moving towards a “visa on arrival” regime as part of the policy of “Ease of Doing Business” in Nigeria stressing that “on line applications will facilitate that but it is still a work in progress.”
The Minister further observed that over the years Nigeria has engaged with Namibia through the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) which is “one mechanism through which we support countries by sending out our brightest young professionals in various fields – Medical, Educational etc depending on the needs of the country, for a period of time.”
He however, reiterated his belief that the partnership being forged through the Joint Commission can “transform the lives of our peoples in the framework of the 2063 Agenda of the African Union (AU) and the 2030 Sustainable Development goals of the UN.”
Mr. Onyeama while expressing happiness over what he described as the “rare priviledge of speaking with H.E. the President of Namibia on phone said “he was extremely gracious to welcome me and my delegation and expressed solidarity to the people of Nigeria. This again is testament of the strong bond that exists between our two countries and the huge respect we have for each other.”
Diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Namibia date back to the 2nd March 1990 following the country’s attainment of independence. Since then, relations have been warm and cordial owing to the role Nigeria played during Namibia’s liberation struggle with the provision of financial, material and logistical support for SWAPO.
In recognition of these contributions, Nigeria was recognised as a frontline State despite her geographical location and in 2008, the City of Windhoek renamed the street where the Nigeria High Commission is located, to General Murtala Mohammed Avenue.
Nigeria also participated in the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) that midwived Namibia’s independence. At the end of this operation, the Nigeria police was requested to remain behind and help build the new Namibian police.
