‘Nigerians in Canada not facing hardship over passport’

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that an old CBC video creating an impression that Nigerians in Canada go through hell in securing a new Nigerian passport was not true.

According to her, the video in circulation was broadcast on CBC in 2013 and the then High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Ojo Maduekwe, diligently dealt with the issue to strengthen the structure of the passport section of Nigeria High Commission in Ottawa, making it possible to obtain the passport in less than a day in the city.

Maduekwe granted interviews to put into perspective what happened and promised Nigerians then that it would never happen again.

She, however, noted that applicants can now obtain passports in two hours at the High Commission in Ottawa, and that this was verifiable from Nigerians in Canada.

“It is really uncharitable and worrisome that the video in question was posted on a day the late Maduekwe was being buried and honoured as a worthy leader and statesmen,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

“Some of our embassies must step up their attitude in dealing with issues relating to Nigerians in their host countries, she noted, adding that “President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is determined to ensure that the rights and welfare of Nigerians whether at home or in Diaspora remain a major priority of this administration.”