The Federal Government has also said it won’t suspend its visa-on-arrival policy despite coronavirus hitting some African nations.
The Nigeria Immigration Service said this in its response to an enquiry by one of our correspondents.
The policy was introduced by the Federal Government to encourage immigrants from other African nations.
The NIS Public Relations Officer, Sunday James, explained that suspending the policy could strain the relationship between Nigeria and other African countries.
He said, “The visa on arrival is a policy of the Federal Government and there is nothing on ground to suggest its reversal. It doesn’t have anything to do with coronavirus; that’s a health-related issue. Once the Ministry of Health has done its work and we carry out our control measures, there is no need for that.
“Visa issuance is a diplomatic issue. You don’t suspend visa issuance because of an epidemic; you can only increase your control measure. Nigerians are still traveling out; if Nigerians are denied visa when they have good reasons to travel out that could cause a strain in diplomatic ties.”
Meanwhile, Osun State government officials on Friday visited some mining sites in the state where foreigners, especially Chinese, are working. The team carried out physical examinations on the Chinese to ensure that they had no symptoms of the virus.
The team, which included the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Siji Olamiju, visited the sites in Ogbagba Village, in Ife South.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Isamotu said the exercise was to ensure that the state remained free from the virus, adding that none of the examined persons was infected with the virus.
Olamiju also said, “Our aim is not to stigmatise them but to examine those who could have had contact with patients.”
He, however, pointed out that the exercise uncovered another public health challenge caused by illegal mining, adding that the Adegboyega Oyetola government would not tolerate any form of irresponsible mining capable of causing environmental degradation.
Quarantined persons in Ogun not depressed, says govt
The Ogun State Government has said the 39 persons quarantined because of the virus in the state were in stable conditions and not depressed.
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Communications, Remmy Hassan, while responding to an enquiry on the state of health of the 39 persons, said, “They are all psychologically and emotionally okay. They have completed their first seven days on Thursday. By Thursday, they would have completed the entire incubation cycle. If there is no symptom they are free and they can mingle.”
