Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed gratitude to the UK government and Nigerian embassy for opening a temporary Enugu visa center, announced via a press release from the British High Commission, signed by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe.
In a statement released by the National Public Relations Secretary, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze expressed its utmost pleasure at the British High Commission’s positive response to a request made back in June.During a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Richard Montgomery, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR, OFR, CFR, known as “Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo,” raised the request.
This request addressed the inconvenience faced by Igbo travelers who had to travel to Abuja or Lagos for UK visas, despite the southeast being the source of over 60% of daily Nigerian travelers to the UK. The President General also emphasized the enduring South East-Nigeria and UK relationship, citing historical ties through the Church Missionary Society’s arrival in Onitsha in 1857.
Chief Iwuanyanwu also pointed out the closure of the British Council office in Enugu without sufficient reason. He emphasized that a Visa Office in Enugu would facilitate bilateral collaborations, enhancing the growth and sustainable development of the southeast region’s economy.
The elation was palpable when Chief Iwuanyanwu learned of the British High Commission’s announcement regarding the opening of a temporary submission center for UK visas in Enugu, commencing on September 13, 2023. The facility will be based at the Omedel Luxury Hotel, offering services twice a week during the interim period.
Ahaejiagamba encouraged the people of the South East to seize the opportunities presented by the Visa Office, emphasizing the importance of continuous cultural and economic exchanges between the UK and Nigeria, especially in today’s ever-evolving global landscape.
The 100 days in office of Chief Iwuanyanwu as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has garnered immense praise from various Igbo individuals and groups, marking it as a remarkable period of leadership.
This significant development marks a positive stride toward fostering stronger ties between the UK and the Southeastern region of Nigeria, creating opportunities for both cultural and economic growth.
