No Citizen, Anywhere in the World Would Be Left Unprotected

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Henceforth, Nigerians anywhere in the world who live within the ambit of the laws of the countries of his or her domicile must expect adequate protection from the federal government.

Minister of state for foreign Affairs, Alhaji Tijjani Yahaya told Daily Trust in a wide ranging exclusive interview that the citizen diplomacy component of Nigerian foreign policy will focus on the wellbeing of Nigerians, every where they may reside in the world.

The minister spoke against the background of instances where Nigerians have been maltreated in their countries of residence. Two days ago, the African community in the northern Greece staged a protest against the death of a Nigerian who was trying to escape from Greek security personel. Couple of weeks earlier, a young Nigeria who was being forcibly deported from Spain died as a result of excessive force deliberately used by the Spanish immigration officials.

The death aroused a profound indignation across the country leading to a formal inquiry and hearing by the federal house of representatives at which the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Angel Losada tendered a formal apology.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200708240744.html

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Nigeria is one of those nations that cares little about the welfare of its citizens.

The normal practice in the past has been to re-arrest anybody who is deported from a foreign country. In other words, if you are deported to Nigeria from Spain, Nigeria will arrest you and throw you in jail upon your arrival in Nigeria. What is the purpose of such a stupid policy?

The announcement by the foreign affairs minister is a welcome news. But then again, Nigeria makes a lot of empty promises. I guess we just have to wait and see if Nigeria will truly protect its citizens resident abroad.