Nigerians lament over exorbitant UK visa application fees

Published

4 weeks ago

August 22, 2024

Nigerians on Thursday expressed concern over the exorbitant charges for various UK visa application fees, calling on the Foreign Affairs Minister to look into that area.

This complaint was done in a vox-pop interviews by different UK applicants in the country.

Some of them, however, complained about not getting the value for money spent, and the service delivery is also not efficient.

Speaking on the matter, Mr. Ajayi Okon said that he feels they are beginning to make so much money out of Nigerians because most Nigerians love to go there based on proximity.

“I think it is high time the government intervenes; at times it looks like extortion to me. You will pay a priority visa, which is over a million naira, to get a response within 2 days.

“The next thing, you will get an email telling you because of high demand, it will take another 15 days, so what is the essence of the priority paid for?

“ If you are collecting money for a particular service, you should have factored in how you want to deliver efficient service.

However, Mrs. Sarah Mbah said that on the application portal, the self-service option, which is cheaper, is not accessible easily.

According to her, after paying so much on visa fees, you will still be denied without an option of appeal despite the money spent.

“I think the government needs to pay attention, especially in those areas of visa application to other countries.

“The fees are getting too high, and the service delivery is also not satisfactory. Nigerians will outright be denied without any right to appeal after paying so much.

“ I feel is not right; some cases should be allowed to appeal, especially looking at the resources involved, so people won’t feel cheated,“ she added.

Furthermore, Favor Adamu said that the perception is usually that it is people who have the resources that apply for UK visas, but the truth is, people save up for those fees.

She said that because of the high rate of migration, they usually suspect that everyone coming to their country won’t want to return, and based on that, they use that to denial people.

Adamu said based on this, the fees should not be too much, so such a person won’t feel cheated because they cannot even appeal the decision.

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Pakistan Observes KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY in Abuja

Published

8 months ago

February 4, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The people of Pakistan inside the country and across the world is observing Kashmir Solidarity Day Today’s Monday express solidarity with Kashmiris in their struggle for the right to self-determination.
Since 1990, the Nation of Pakistan observes February 5th as Kashmir Solidarity Day.

According to the statement issued by the High Commissioner of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Abuja, Nigeria H.E Mr Sohail Ahmad Khan stated that, Kashmir Solidarity Day serves as an annual reminder of the prolonged conflict in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where the struggle for self-determination has left an indelible mark on the lives of innocent Kashmiris.

“Multiple UN Resolutions unambiguously declare that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

“Numerous international, UN organizations as well as UN Special Rapporteurs have reported gross human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Media and press is under tremendous pressure by Indian Government especially in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir which is evident from India’s ranking of 161 out of 180 countries as per 2023 World Press Freedom.

“Jammu and Kashmir has been converted into world’s most militarized zone and the largest prison on earth. Pakistan stands firm with Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will continue to provide unwavering diplomatic support.

“Pakistan demands that International community including United Nations and it’s relevant Human Rights Machinery, Civil Society Organizations, Media Houses and other defenders of Human Rights to fulfill their obligations towards besieged Kashmiris by playing their part to end the rule of tyranny and oppression.”

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