Foreign Affairs Minister canvasses amnesty for Nigerian immigrants in Europe
Abuja - Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, has said that it is time for European countries to grant amnesty to Nigerians living in Europe without relevant travel documents.
The minister who made this known in Abuja, said that the move would facilitate a stronger tie between Nigeria and Europe, particularly with regards to the strategic economic partnership.
He said his meeting with the EU officials dwelt on issues of assisting Nigeria in its drive to attain speedy economic development and the welfare of its citizens in Europe.
According to the minister, “I told them and I was not joking when I said so, that when they came to Africa 500 years ago, they did not come in with visas; and they developed Europe.
“I as a foreign minister cannot be on record to say that it is in order that Nigerians should go to any country without travel papers. But when it happens, those Nigerians have not done anything different from what those Europeans who came to Africa 500 years ago without visa did.
“Since we did not criminalize those Europeans, we did not demonise those Europeans; they should not criminalize those Nigerians who come to their own countries without visa papers; especially if those Nigerians when they arrive are law abiding; are doing the kind of work that add value to the European economy. Some of the jobs are jobs which their own people are willing to do, if those Nigerians are doing them.
“It is time to grant amnesty to them and regularize their papers, when they do that we can begin to take a serious look at a new strategic partnership.” the minister said.
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