Onwuleri warns Nigerian foreign missions to stop collecting visa fees in dollars
The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, on Thursday in Abuja directed foreign missions collecting visa fees in foreign currency to immediately halt the “illegal'' practice.
Onwuliri gave the directive during a meeting with members of the diplomatic corps on the forthcoming centennial celebrations in the country.
The minister's stern rebuke came on the heels of the announcement by the British High Commission in Nigeria to charge visa fees in US dollars from Dec. 16, 2013
“ It has actually come to our notice that some diplomatic and consular missions now charge visa and other consular fess in foreign currencies.
“This is totally unacceptable and must be stopped forthwith; charging fees in foreign currencies is an illegal act that clearly violates the sovereignty of this great nation.
“No self-respecting nation can accept such a flagrant assault on the symbol of its nationhood, therefore we appeal to you that you ensure that you are not caught on the wrong side of the law,'' she said.
Earlier, the minister had solicited the support of the missions to ensure a successful centennial celebration next year in commemoration of the amalgamation of Nigeria by then British colonial authority in 1914.
“A hundred years in the life of any nation is a unique historic event worthy of celebration and commemoration,'' she said.
She announced that on Feb. 27, the federal government would organise an international summit in Abuja on the theme: “Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda for the 21st century African.''
She said several past and present world leaders, regional organisations, have been invited to attend and deliver remarks at the event.
At the meeting with the diplomatic corps, the minister re-launched the emblem of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD).
She encouraged the diplomats to wear the emblem at official functions in memory of fallen Nigerian heroes until the culmination of the AFRD on Jan. 15.