PROPOSED UK VISA POLICY AND THE LESSONS FOR NIGERIA

So many reactions have plagued the recent proposal by the British government to force citizens from Nigeria and four other countries to pay a £3,000(N 750,000) bond to be allowed to enter Britain. In view of this proposal, they will only get their money back once they leave the country, in a bid to end abuse of the Visa system. The other countries affected by this proposition include India, Ghana,Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.  In the proposal by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, the proposal is targeted at nationals of the countries tagged as “High Risks”.  I will be approaching this issue from a perspective, which might not be so obvious. But before then, let me bring some other reactions to the same plan. The intention is to make the immigration system more selective and deter people from overstaying once their visitor’s visa has expired. There are plans that the Australian style- bond scheme to also include foreign workers and students.

            In a report by Adekunle Adekoya in Vanguard, he observed that the UK visa policy has in reality always been discriminatory to Nigerians and if you like, nationals of other countries included. According to him, it started in September 1986 when the Margret Thatcher administration decided, at the end of a cabinet meeting that in future, travellers in Nigeria, India, Ghana and Bangladesh and Pakistan will need to obtain Visa from their own countries before travelling. Before the 1986 decision, nationals of all common wealth nations except Sri lanka did not need visas to travel to the UK.

            On the other hand, the House of Representatives committee on foreign Affairs slammed the move as “discriminatory and unacceptable”. Nnenna Elendu – Ukeje, chairman of the committee in a statement said such a policy was not in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.  She said that they will take a ‘critical look at the policy’ as it affects Nigerians and come up with a way forward. The Minister of foreign affairs, Olugbenga Ashiru, said Nigeria “will do everything within its means to protect its citizens from any harsh policy by any country.” In a statement issued by the Ministry if Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 25^th of June, 2013, it was said that the Minister had already summoned the UK commissioner, Mr Andrew pockock, to formally register federal governments’ displeasure to the policy. The statement quoted the minister as describing the policy as “not only discriminatory but also capable of undermining the commonwealth family”. It added that the proposed policy would negate the joint commitment signed by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Goodluck Jonathan, to double the volume of trade of both countries by 2014.

            However, as the twist in the issue continues to develop, the British High commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Andrew pockock said it was regrettable that the yet- to – be announced policy was leaked to the media as the modality for implementation had yet to be worked out, while also assuring the Minister that the views and concerns of Nigerians would be conveyed to his home government.  

            While there have been some reverse reactions towards the plans, the idea has been welcome by backbench Tony MPs, who have been urging the government to take a tougher line on immigration.  The policy also has the backing Lib Dem Leader, Nick Clegg, who suggested the introduction of bonds in March, though was proposing the level should be fixed as £1000. Although, Keith Vaz, chairman of the Home Affairs select committee, said the idea was ‘unworkable’ and ‘impractical’. Mr Vaz, an ex- foreign Office Minister, claimed it would not deter people from trying to stay   on after their visas ended and said the targeted countries would be “likely to retaliate”.

            It is important to note that a similar plan of £1,000 bond in 2008 amid an outcry from migrant right groups.  . Unarguably, this policy if implemented is going to be a double edged sword. “In perspective, the policy if implemented will have repercussions on both sides. If dealing with the illegal immigration is the sole object of the policy, then Nigerians who see the UK as an escape destination will be affected. On the contrary, Nigeria is a business destination for many United Kingdom Nations, including those of Nigerian descent. If Nigeria reciprocates, as government may be required to, business on both sides will suffer irreparably...” (Adekunle Adekoya,Vanguard).

            However, my heart cry is not even about the effect of this proposal on students, parents, immigrants etc, but on a lesson that the citizens and government of this nation are supposed to learn. Not that the things mentioned above are not important, but just that they are not my main focus. One can hardly blame them, if we want to be sincere, because no country wants an uncontrolled influx of people, as it has its own effect on them. My heart cry is that is that this nation should be made liveable in all ramifications and I want the government of and people of Nigeria to learn from this insult and do everything possible in their power to bring back respect to this nation. On various occasions, I have been opportuned to be around discussions of young people, who just talk about looking for ways of leaving this country to find greener pastures in various European countries. Majority of them, always end with statements like “I no go just come back again, this country too hard...” hence the struggle by many Nigerian future leaders to find their way out of this country, to go and do menial jobs; going through different hardships and issues just to get papers.

            A home office official in Britain said the six countries highlighted were those with “the most significant risk of Abuse”.  “ Last year 296,000 people granted six month visas were from India,  101,000 from Nigeria, 53,000 from Pakistan and 14,000 each were from Sri Lanka and Bangledesh”( AFP). Imagine the figures! Let us learn from this “Insult” (that is what it is to me), and make this nation an envy for people outside. We can make this country beautiful enough for people to want to come in and our youths ready to stay and work. We have very wonderful professional Nigerians working in different places in European countries, who have refused to come back home, because of better quality of job terms; we have read in the News of Nigerians making giant strides in their various endeavours. All this would have been things enjoyed in this country if things were as good as they ought to be.

            This is my plea! Government, please you can continue your complaints on the discriminatory policy, but please also focus on making this nation a golden street that people will want to walk on. For the supposed giant of Africa to be put to this kind of treatment speaks volumes in few lines. Please Sirs and Madams, OGAs at the Top, think deeply on this situation, and pick up lessons, that will kick start a developmental revolutions that will affect all aspect of this nation. Please! For the government officials that embezzle or that have embezzled, I want to say that you are part of the reason for this insult. Money meant for development, were pocketed and used for selfish gains, anyway some people are at the corner praying for you and God is listening.

            Mr. Government and her officials, Nigeria needs steady power supply, we need good roads, we need employment for our youths, we need uninterrupted terms in our schools (No strikes), well secured neighbourhoods and properly equipped security agents. We the citizens of Nigeria need comfortable houses at affordable rates and policies that will greatly improve the comfort of the general public. Sincerely sir, if all these things are provided, we will be the ones making this kind of policy, to control the influx and nobody will insult us by calling us high risk for contributing illegal immigrants. I sincerely know that with the way things have gone bad, it will not take just one day to solve the years of decay, but the process should begin and the heart of restoration should be in every of the government officials. The government of South Africa has to make comments regularly regarding the conditions of a citizen not in government, churches hold prayers for him to remain alive even though he is more than 90, even death respects his achievements and have refused to take him...this tells you that being a good government official pays. Thumbs up Mandela “Madiba”, may you live long for us.

            To my fellow citizens, you have every right to want to leave the country oh, things are not well and we watch in the Television of the beautiful things happening in the European countries (thanks to the information flow imbalance). The reasons not to stay are pretty obvious, but again hard work and integrity pays. I just want to encourage us to stay with one another and develop this nation, the America, Britain we run to today were built by the sweats of people. For some, the inputs of some of our forefathers via slave trade forms the foundation of their development, hence we should stick together in Unity and develop this nation. I strongly believe that we can make it. I call on all the children, Youths, aged, Mothers, fathers etc to join the train of those with the heart to make this nation great, the train is gradually gaining pace; so please do not left behind. Let us break the barrier of corruption by first of all not being corrupt, kill ethnicity and tribalism from the roots, join with adequate information in the electoral processes. The good people should contest and continue to contest so that this nation enjoys the beauty that comes when a righteous man rules. Fight corruption with all sense of sincerity and love for this nation, not a fight tainted with selfish reasons.

            Please let us not wait for the government, if they are not working let us kick them to the work by taking up their functions to make sure the citizens are comfortable. You live in a street as a Millionaire and the street are very bad, why wait for the government, when you can begin the process. The well to-do could create scholarship platforms for the bright minds in the society and provide the right environment for their talents to be horned. Parents should stop encouraging their children that the grasses are always greener on the other side of the lawn. That is not how it is Oh. Get to ask questions from those that made it back, some have had to do very obscene things just to make ends meet, so many of them are even ashamed to say the true stories of their experiences. Some of those that tried to go through the desert have lost their lives.

             The Richest man in Africa started and survived the environmental hurdles, Jim Ovia started in the Delta state environments, Michael Adenuga began Globacom in Nigeria, and the list continues.  Mentioning people that have survived the stress in this great nation, who have also made it and respected all over the world will take too much space, hence I still wish to assert that making it is possible in this nation. I know of the CEO of a leading communication firm in Victoria Island, who started in school not having slippers to go to class with but today runs a multi Million naira company in the communication sector.  The good people still make it, because it’s on their shoulders that the greatness of this nation that the greatness of this nation lies. It is not a mistake that the theme for our image transformation agenda is “Nigeria, good people, great nation”. Our greatness as a nation is hinged on the availability of good people who have gone beyond any barrier available, from poverty to religion, ethnic backgrounds etc. Be the great person and not a source of insult to this country. Greatness even when you are born into it, does not just fall on someone, it is nurtured. 

            This matter of £3000, Slammed on visitors from the giant of African should bring reflections and not only reactions. Let the world just continue to wait, we are coming! They will not wait for too long, people like me that love this country sincerely are many.

ASUU STRIKES AND THE SUFFERING GRASSES

For some time now, I have been counting my graduation time in months, weeks and even into days but if the present reality is not sorted out, there is a likelihood of an extension of the time frame. At a time, the news filtered in that ASUU (Academic staff Union of Universities) was planning on going on strike, but we just allowed the news pass as a rumour. But the saying that “within every rumour there is a truth embedded “came to pass, as on the entrance into the month of July was greeted by flashing headlines in the media of the announcement of an indefinite strike by  ASUU.

            The ASUU national president, Isa Fagge informed journalists of the development at a news conference via telephone at the University of Lagos (Premium Times). The decision to have the strike was reached at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of ASUU held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye.  The reason for the strike according to him was as a result of the inability of the federal government to implement some of the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with ASUU.

            Let me r- emphasise the contribution I stumbled upon on the internet “in the opinion of many Nigerian parents, guardians (especially those not rich enough to send their children abroad for tertiary education) and most importantly patient helpless Nigerian University students, the word “strike” has become synonymous with ASUU in recent times...the strikes on 2007, 2008, and 2009 are still very fresh in the minds of Nigerian students) – zahraddin Abdullahi , Director, standing  committee of Human rights and Peace(SCORP), Nigerian Medical students Association. Hence, though as troubling as it may sound, it is almost an “when is it going to happen” issue.

            As I read the words of Isa Fagge that the strike will be “Comprehensive, total, and indefinite” what came to my mind was the plight of fellow students like me who were going to be bearing the brunt of the whole saga. This means no supervision of project for final year students, no classes for students of any level, post graduate students will have their programmes put on hold, students would be left idle, plans have changed etc, with so many consequences that will come with this decision. One question continues to linger in my heart: is strike the only option? To ASUU what is the strike supposed to do, turn the hands of government officials that have most of their children studying outside Nigeria? To the government; must these teachers down their tools before they get your attention? Students what can we do in this situation because we are tired of always suffering the inefficiencies of the two elephants? All these questions are ones that if properly answered; matters will be put into proper perspective and solutions proffered.

            I logged on into my Facebook account this morning and this was the post of my friend: “Arsenal need to sing ASUU and Thunder in their striking force, that they are very good at striking”. Smiles of sadness and amusement filled my face as I read and digested that article garnished with the thought of how these strike actions have affected Nigerian leaders of tomorrow. The privileged few have chosen institutions in Ghana and recently Benin republic as escape routes to the strike prone government tertiary institutions, also private schools like Redeemers, covenant, Babcock, Afe Babalola University etc have enjoyed the patronage of those that want uninterrupted and quality education, with the capacity to provide it. But again, to what extent can a nation, whose educational system is beleaguered with strike, develop? Although the strike is one of the smallest problems affecting this sector, but its own consequences are obvious.

            The Academic and non – academic staff have gone on strike when their so called “rights” but who goes on strike when students are intimidated by their lecturers, who goes on strike when results are manipulated selfishly or as an act of wickedness, who goes on strike when students are made to learn under harsh conditions of learning (that even the people in authority now did not go through. Sometimes our lecturers tell us they had access to chicken, quality teachers, and comfortable hostels etc, have these things suddenly disappeared?), who downs tools when students are extorted of the little money they bring from home? The answers to the questions are left in your minds to answer. If we refuse to learn, we will suffer the consequences and even protests have a limit so that you can graduate well, who defends the right of a Nigerian student?

            Even with the sometimes, not favourable and low quality environment of learning, that we are managing, trying as much as possible as we can to survive, we still have to suffer strike also. Is this fair? I do not want to stand on the side of any of the elephant, because we are just the innocent grasses that suffer, hence supporting any will do us no good. But I will appeal to both sides to put the future of this nation at the back of their minds before we make decisions. Do you love this country, or you are just fighting to get your own share of the national cake. ASUU and the FG, God is looking at both of you oh, if these students decide to table the matter before God, every side will be affected, because God always brings Justice (sounding religious? Yes OH).

            In my bid to present the matters of the University student, let me also emphasise the fact that polytechnic students have been at home for two months because ASUP( Academic staff Union of Polytechnics ) has been on strike. Can you imagine two months of your life as a student out of school?  Is this fair for God sake? And from what I have observed, what forms a bulk of poly students, are people that tried getting into Universities and they couldn’t make it  and now you put them again into further mental and psychological stress. Again I ask who is fighting for the rights of the students. What is our gain in this strike? The good lecturers have always been good (allowance or no allowance), the bad lecturers remain bad (allowance or no allowance), so what is our gain apart from the suffering?

            To my fellow students let us continue to pray for this nation, things are going worse but it is only “Us” that can make it better.  Our generation is a generation of promise, with the mandate to turn things around for the better. If our fathers have failed us and are still failing us, let us take the bull by the horn to make things better. Let us survive this hardship with the best of mindsets, coming out to make things right so that the future generation does not go through the same predicament. The excuse has been that the thorns will always try to inhibit the growth of the crops, but not if the crops work together in unity and learn how to survive and blossom in the midst of the thorns. Can we make sure our children do not suffer the same fate? YES WE CAN.  Please let us shun examination malpractices, irrespective of the shortcomings of the system, let us do the right thing always, let us shun vices and conduct ourselves as worthy leaders in the making. For the time comes that as a city set on the hill, nobody will be able to hide you. Continue. Try as much as possible as you can to make good use of the strike period for personal development in all areas of your discipline, if the lecturers have down their tools , pick up the tools and let the work continue.

            To ASUU happy striking oh, it is our prayer that the government responds to your requests, so that my fellow students can go back to class. We have enjoyed a strike free period for some time and thought that matters like that no more existed, but since according to you, it is a painful but necessary decision, more grease to your elbow. I believe, if government does not answer you for months, the students too will not receive lectures for months and that is fair? Okay! Come to think of it, do they pay you people for the period you are on strike? If they do, God is still in heaven O and he is looking very well. Anyway some of the requests made sense, only one sounded very odd to me, some of you still want to lecture till 70? 65 years is not enough? Haba, why don’t you just retire at 65 and if you are agile to continue and you are contributing immensely to the University, you are given a contract. If all lecturers have to get to 70 before they retire, when the young will bloods begin to be injected to the system (it’s just a suggestion). Things are changing and the internet is transforming the world, Experience is essential and very important, but innovation and new imports drives any development. We don’t want to be attending our teachers burial while still in school, please we need you to serve and go and rest; we love you. And please if government did not answer you quick, please come back to the class because the investment you make by imparting Knowledge in class can pay you allowances that the government cannot afford. Hence think on the beautiful proceeds of your honourable profession and the innocent student and help us out. God bless you.

            To the government! “Our Ogas at the top”,   I pay homage to your honourable offices and I bring you greetings from the student environment, especially those who are going to be staying at home till you and ASUU resolve your problems. We appreciate the free time, probably the thought was that the students have been too stressed, let us just give them some time. Thank you sirs and Ma, but this is detrimental to our education. We need to graduate and start working so that we can join in taking this nation to this level, and strikes will not help the issue. If it is on the matter of Unemployment (probably if we graduate fast we will increase unemployment rate), do not worry, we are learning to be self sufficient now, with the heart to make this country better. Please see to the continuation of our academic calendar. I know that some of your people have their children in private schools or outside Nigeria, but please the bulk of Nigerians have their children in Federal institutions and it will not be fair to put us through this situation. Please help us so that we can help you back. I do not want some of my classmates or fellow students to start “Yahoo Yahoo” or get involved in some other vices during this free time and also, you people are trying, but please try more to help improve the conditions of learning. Please make our lecturers comfortable too, so that they can teach us well and also our parents so that they can send us pocket money and allowance. We will really appreciate more allocations to the educational sector; at least reduction in the cost of governance will provide enough money for this. I do not want to remember the amount I was hearing that some government officials were earning during the fuel subsidy protests, but we can just cut costs and divert the funds to several other important areas. If you people properly fund our schools, some of the things you pay for expertise abroad, we will be doing it. So please encourage research and every other aspect of our educations.

            Still to my “ Ogas at the TOP”,  students in the Arts and Humanities need scholarship too, almost all scholarship are for the sciences and Engineering and it has been discouraging quite a number of students, so as you look  into the ASUU matter. Look into this too.  Please sirs and Madams do not allow this strike stay for too long, we need to go back to class. Even though they are not so comfortable, but for the glory ahead we have decided to endure them.

            On the general, let all hands be on the deck for developmental issues as it affects this country. Let the strike stop and let the rights of the students be more protected. Nigeria, Good People, Great Nation.