Africa ( Commonwealth Union ) _ The United Kingdom has taken a significant step in strengthening its relationship with Nigeria by establishing a visa center in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State. This development is poised to have a far-reaching impact on both economic partnership and cultural exchange between the two nations.
The announcement was made by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, who praised the UK government for this strategic move. It’s worth noting that this new visa center is a result of Governor Peter Mbah’s request during a visit to the Government House in Enugu by the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, in June.
This initiative has been met with great enthusiasm by the Enugu State government, which sees it as a remarkable opportunity to bolster economic ties with the United Kingdom. The visa center will not only streamline the visa application process but also encourage greater interaction and collaboration between Enugu State and the UK.
The Enugu State government, in an official statement, expressed its anticipation of a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the UK. They believe that the visa center’s presence will play a pivotal role in cementing this relationship, with positive implications for trade, investment, and cultural engagement.
Furthermore, the government is urging residents, especially those residing in the Southeast region, to utilize this newly established center for their visa applications. In doing so, the government promises to prioritize security measures, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for both residents and visitors conducting business in the state.
This move by the UK to establish a visa center in Enugu aligns with the aspirations of the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. They previously hosted the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Montgomery, and took the opportunity to advocate for a British visa office in the Southeast. They pointed out that the Southeast is responsible for over 60 percent of Nigerians traveling to the United Kingdom and that this development will eliminate the inconvenience of traveling to Abuja or Lagos for visa processing.
