AKWAABA organiser commends FG for improved visa access for delegates
Mr Ikechi Uko, Organiser of AKWAABA African Travel and Tourism Market, has commended the Federal Government for the support and prompt resolution of visa assessment issues for its foreign delegates.
Uko, in a statement, expressed relief that the knotty issue of Nigerian visa experienced earlier while planning the 20th edition of AKWAABA, was resolved quickly after disclosing same.
He specifically appreciated Mrs Kemi Nandap,Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); Mrs Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism and Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, for wading into the issue promptly.
He said the intervention was made after disclosing the problem on a WhatsApp platform.
“I had made a post about my frustrations with visa for my delegates coming from all over Africa.
“I had complained that online visa on arrival was very expensive and the Nigerian embassies in East Africa were not giving visas, forcing everyone to go online.
“Some people shared my post with the Minister of Tourism and she called me to find out the details.
“After explaining the situation to her, she promised to engage her colleague, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
“I am happy to say that between the Ministers of Interior, the Minister of Tourism, and the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, they resolved the issues.
“My first delegates are arriving now and I am happy that resolution is not just for my event. The new measures will be applied across board to all African visitors to Nigeria,” he said.
Uko noted that Meetings, Incentives Conferences and Events (MICE), are more obligatory than leisure travel which was optional and Nigeria would benefit more by supporting MICE.
He said the 20th AKWAABA would hold from Sept. 22 to Sept. 24 at Eko Hotels Convention Centre and over 20 countries would be represented at the event
“Akwaaba, as the biggest travel expo in West Africa, has not been supported by the government in access, venue and hosted buyers programmes.
“So, this intervention by the Minister of Tourism is the first and is much appreciated,” he said.
