*A new agreement is likely to address a situation in which a lot of Nigerian citizens are being denied visas when they deserve being grated such, says Amb. Adeyinka Asekun, Nigeria鈥檚 High Commissioner to Canada

*Limited air travel does not weaken these important personal ties… it keeps us keenly looking forward to even more connection and reconnection 鈹�Parliamentary Secretary, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In relation to the precious value Nigerians equally add to the North American country, Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun, Nigeria鈥檚 High Commissioner to Canada, has said that the host country is unfairly denying a lot of Nigerians, including students visas.

It was learnt Ambassador Asekun stated this during a webinar on Nigeria鈥檚 60th Independence Anniversary organised by the Nigerian High Commission in Canada Thursday evening.

He said: 鈥淐anada and Nigeria have for some time been working on a draft agreement that addresses a number of areas of mutual concern to both countries.

鈥淚t is our further hope that a video conference call may be set up next spring latest to finalise the terms of this agreement.

鈥淲hat is most important about this agreement is that it is likely to address a situation in which a lot of Nigerian citizens are being denied visas when they should actually have been granted the visas.鈥�

According to Asekun, 鈥渨e are looking for a situation in which the process will become much fairer and much more predictable.

鈥淎nd there are provisions in this agreement which will make it possible for us to get much better treatment.鈥�

He, therefore, expressed hope that the issue would be addressed in the draft bilateral agreement, which both countries have been working on, for better treatment of Nigerians.

The envoy related that several Nigerians are eager to study in Canada but were denied the opportunity in recent times.

It is hoped that the situation would change when the agreement comes into effect, he stated.

Asekun also stressed that Nigeria and Canada have shared a long lasting and mutually beneficial relation in various areas since the former鈥檚 Independence in 1960.

The ambassador recognised the Canadian Government鈥檚 assistance to Nigeria, including its contribution to the establishment of a laboratory in Lagos in 2014 for effective management of infectious disease following the Ebola outbreak.

The facility, according to him, has greatly helped Nigeria in the management and containment of COVID.

As regards Nigeria鈥檚 Independence, the ambassador said the country is 鈥渄estined to go the distance and stand the test of time鈥�.

He added: 鈥淭he theme of our anniversary at 60 is 鈥�60 Together鈥�. It emphasises the importance of our unity in diversity, which is a potential source of great strength and must continue to be built upon. Only we can do that.鈥�

Mr. Rob Oliphant, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, said his country was host to no fewer than 11,000 Nigerian students.

In a goodwill message on behalf of the minister, Oliphant also highlighted the strong relationship between Nigerian and Canada.

Oliphant said: 鈥淭he strong relationship between Canada and Nigeria is built on deep people-to-people ties.

鈥淥ver 50,000 Canadians have Nigerian roots, some of them are my very good personal friends, and today over 11,000 Nigerian students are pursuing their studies in Canada.

鈥淭hey enrich Canadian universities. Of course they benefit from Canadian universities, but the benefit they bring to Canada is equal and extremely important.
鈥淟imited air travel does not weaken these important personal ties. In fact, it keeps us keenly looking forward to even more connection and reconnection.

鈥淥n that note, let me again offer my personal heartfelt congratulations.

鈥淥n behalf of the government of Canada, I wish Nigeria and its people a very happy 60th anniversary of independence. May God bless you all.鈥�

The event featured goodwill messages from prominent Nigerians in Canada, a documentary on Nigeria and a music interlude, cutting of the anniversary cake, among others.