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Tag: US Government

  • America appeals to Nigerians: help fish out killers of embassy officials

    America appeals to Nigerians: help fish out killers of embassy officials

    The United States Government has made a promise to help apprehend the attackers and killers of its officials and two policemen in Anambra state.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that a gang of unknown assailants on Tuesday attacked a motorcade of two U.S. government vehicles in the Ogbaru Local Government Area.

    The convoy was carrying 9 Nigerian nationals, five employees of the U.S. Mission and four members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    The delegation was traveling in advance of a planned visit to a flood response project in Anambra sponsored by the American government.

    A statement the consulate issued Wednesday night quoted Secretary of State, Antony Blinken saying America doesn’t yet know the motive for the attack and if it was targeted against the Mission.

    “The assailants killed at least four members of the convoy. U.S. agencies are collaborating with Nigerian counterparts to ascertain the location and condition of victims unaccounted for.

    “We condemn in the strongest terms this attack. We will work closely with our Nigerian law enforcement colleagues in seeking to bring those responsible to justice,” Blinken promised.

    The U.S. said it has no greater priority than the safety and security of its personnel, expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in the attack.

    The statement further reaffirmed America’s strong commitment to the people of Nigeria to assist in the fight against violence and insecurity.

  • US government increases visitor visa validity to Five years for Nigerians

    US government increases visitor visa validity to Five years for Nigerians

    The American government has extended the visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism.

    The US government noted that starting March 1, 2023 Nigerian preparing to enter America can now procure five years visa instead of the old two years arrangement.

    This was contained in a press statement by the US Consulate General released on Monday.

    Recall that the Federal Government had directed the full implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for citizens of the United States of America with effect from March 1, 2023.

    The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said the directive was issued following approval for the implementation of the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the two governments.

    According to Aregbesola, the agreements amongst others include the reciprocity of five-year tourist visa validity for American Citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015; Extension of visa validity to three years for diplomats and government officials between the citizens of Nigeria and the United States of America.

    The statement by the US Consulate on Monday also assured that the cost of the visa fee still remains the same.

    The statement reads, “Effective March 1, 2023, the U.S. Mission will increase visitor visa validity from 24 months to 60 months for Nigerians who want to enter the United States temporarily for business and/or tourism.

    “The visa validity extension allows Nigerians to use the visa for 60 months to make short trips to the United States for tourism or business purposes before having to renew their visa. The visa application fee, currently USD160, will not increase as a result of the increased visa validity.

    “Increasing visa validity is one of several initiatives taken by the United States to reduce visa appointment wait times in Nigeria. The U.S. Mission continues to offer No-Interview Visa Renewals to those who meet the eligibility criteria. Appointments for No-Interview Visa Renewals are readily available.

    “No-Interview Visa Renewal

    “You may be eligible for a visa renewal without an interview if your application is for a B1/B2, F, M, J (academic only), H, L, or C1/D (combined only) visa, AND you meet each of the following criteria:

    “You are physically present in Nigeria.
    “Your previous visa was issued in Nigeria.
    “Your previous visa is in the same classification as your current application.
    “Your previous visa was a full-validity, multiple-entry visa.
    “Your previous visa expired within the last 48 months or will expire in the next 3 months from the date of application.

     

    “You have all your passports covering the entire period since receiving the previous visa and the passport with the most recent visa.

    “You have never been arrested or convicted of any crime or offense in the United States, even if you later received a waiver or pardon.

    “You have never worked without authorization or remained beyond your permitted time in the United States.

    “Please see our website at https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/ for further information.

    “Please note that processing times for the program are expected to be up to two months and you will not be able to retrieve your passport during that time.

  • US Govt reacts to Obaseki’s reelection as Edo governor

    US Govt reacts to Obaseki’s reelection as Edo governor

    After the peaceful conduct of the gubernatorial election in Edo State, the United States (US) Mission in Nigeria has congratulated stakeholders involved in the election.

    The mission particularly lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security operatives for the peaceful conduct of the election.

    They equally acknowledged the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for embracing peace.

    Leaving no stone unturned, the US expressed concerns over reports of violence while the election was ongoing. They also laid bare reports of vote-buying and intimidation of both voters and civil society domestic observers.

    However, they said they would keep encouraging key stakeholders, including the INEC, Political Parties, and security bodies to keep improving the electoral process, especially in the Ondo election just around the corner.

  • FG appeals to U.S. Govt to reverse visa restrictions

    The Federal Government has called on the United States of America to consider the long-standing relationship between the two countries and reverse its Visa restrictions on Nigeria.

    Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Interior, in a statement said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the call on Thursday.

    Manga said Aregbesola, made the call when the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Leonard, and her team paid him a visit in Abuja.
    Aregebsola said the Government of Nigeria believed that the cooperation with the U.S. would help address Immigration and Consular issues in control of persons seeking to enter both countries through issuance of visa, passport and other travel documents.

    The minister said as the Chairman, Presidential Committee on the Citizen Data Management and Harmonisation, he was bold to say that Nigeria had complied with most of the issues of concern raised by America.

    He said this includes but not limited to the uploading of over 700 stolen or lost Passports on the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Database,’ saying Nigeria is not a pariah nation.

    Aregbesola said he believed Nigeria was too important an ally of America to deserve such a sanction, adding that the country should be commended rather than sanctioned.

    He further appealed to the U.S. to review its Visa Validity to Nigerians from two years limit to at least five years.

    He also urged U.S. to establish a third office in Nigeria in reciprocity with the country which has establishments in Atlanta, New York and Washington D.C.

    Aregebsola emphasised the need for both countries to strengthen the Security Governance Initiative between his Ministry and American Embassy through proper enlightenment and awareness creation.
    The minister added that the relationship between both nations must be mutually beneficial.
    He gave assurance that the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration was not only committed to ensuring internal security and citizenship integrity of Nigerians and foreigners alike, but also to the fight against terrorism and transnational crimes and criminalities.

    ‘We are positive that visa restriction is a temporary one, it will soon be put behind us,” the minister reiterated.

    Aregbesola hinted that President Muhammadu Buhari would commission the Nigeria Immigration Data Technology Centre before the end of the year 2020, as part of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that her data is linked with security agencies globally.

    Corroborating the minister’s comment, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, said the country had improved on her border management through its Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS).

    Earlier, the ambassador said her team was in the Ministry to share ideas on possible ways of addressing Information sharing gap between the two nations.
    Leonard added that America had a very broad collaboration with Nigeria, which covers immigration, safety issues and security.
    The envoy gave assurance of her country’s determination to continue to collaborate with Nigeria, so as to further strengthen their relationship.