Many Stranded As Federal Government Closes Seme Border - Video

This is definitely not the best of times for travellers using the Seme Border as the border is closed. According to reports, travellers have decried what appears to be an unceremonious and unannounced closure of Seme Border.

Seme Border is a settlement in Nigeria on the border with Benin Republic, 30-minute drive from Badagry on the coastal road between Lagos and Cotonou.

Travellers attempting to come into Nigeria or leave the country on Wednesday complained that the border had been under lock and key for two days, “without official explanation.”

Earlier on Wednesday, a Twitter user, IPrint & Make Snapbacks, with Twitter handle @Onos_Tsf, noted, “I have been at Seme border for over seven hours and no official communication about the closure keeping us here.

“We need help/answers. We need to go home.”

Another traveller, Olatinwo Tolulope Samson, with Twitter handle @Hermie_Berries, laments, “Nigerian Government closes Seme Border without formal notice.”

He noted that “It’s been two days. No going in or out.

“That a nation can stop her citizens from entering their own country is ludicrous…”

In recent times, the Federal Government has shut land borders and airports during crucial national events such as elections and census.

The Federal Government reportedly shut Seme Border, which is Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic, on Tuesday.

The busy border was said to have been shut after officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reportedly intercepted truckloads of tramadol and codeine shipped through the notorious border into the country.

The importation of both tramadol and codeine, which are highly abused substances among Nigerian youths, is prohibited by the Nigerian government.

There is no official statement either from the Nigerian government or its Benin Republic counterpart on the border closure, which remained in force on Wednesday.

Victims of the abrupt shutdown of West Africa’s main commerce corridor took to the social media to express ther frustration over the development.

A Nigerian traveller caught in the disruption posted a video of the hardship encountered by traders and commuters in the area on twitter Wednesday afternoon.
Watch the video below...

I have been at seme border for over 7hours and no official communication about the closure keeping us here. We need help/answers. We need to go home. Please share this with someone that can help @DrJoeAbah @segalink @nigimmigration @OgbeniDipo @Omojuwa @abikedabiri @NGRPresident pic.twitter.com/BdSWkhRgRM

— IPrint & Make Snapbacks (@Onos_Tsf) August 21, 2019

1.01m Passport Applications Received In 2018 - NBS

According to the latest data released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statisitcs (NBS) it was reported that the Immigration Statistics for 2018 reflected that a total of 1,011,158 passport applications were received in 2018 as against 720,958 received in 2017. This represents about 40.25% positive growth. 173,461 of the 2018 figure are minor, 779,905 are adults and the remaining 57,792 are a senior citizen.

A total of 185,657 passports were issued at the foreign missions in 2018 as against 152,163 issued in 2017 while the number of visa issuance at the foreign missions was put at 120,697.

This represents a 4.82% positive growth. A total of 4,529,153 international travellers movement was recorded across all Nigeria borders in 2018 as against 3,715,268 in 2017. This represents a 21.91% positive growth.

The NIS generated N39,061,098,079.50 in 2018 as against N35,724,482,338.96 local revenue generated in 2017. This represents a positive growth of 9.34%.

Nigeria Diplomatic Passport: Read Why Politicians Don't Release Theirs After Office

Last month, the Nigerian Immigration boos accused some former senators and governors of still retaining their diplomatic passports after their tenure has expired in office. Under the Nigerian immigration law, governors and some senators that hold some key positions are subject to have diplomatic passports.

Many have wondered about what is special about this red Nigerian diplomatic passport and what makes it different from the normal 32 pages that we have in Nigeria. Going through the privileges and perks that come along with this passport, we see why these senators and governors will not want to surrender their passport anytime soon.

According to the Nigerian Immigration, only the former presidents and vice presidents have the opportunity to hold on to their diplomatic passports for life. Others are meant to submit their passports once their tenure expires.

One of the ways to identify a Nigerian Diplomatic Passport is that it's red in color unlike the usual green passport that everyone has, it also has a 10-year expiry date attached to it.

What makes A Diplomatic Passport Special?

Diplomatic passports are simply passports used by diplomats to identify them as assigned the duty to manage negotiations and other official affairs on behalf of a country or state. This is what is referred to as conducting diplomacy. So is this the only purpose of a diplomatic passport? Does it have any privileges toa diplomat? Is it worth having it? we will be answering you all your questions bit by bit below.

Remember, an honorary consul is not a holder of a diplomatic passport and hence he does not enjoy the following privileges.

Advantages And Privilleges Of Having A Diplomatic Passport

The most important advantage of diplomatic passports is that it is proof that the holder enjoys diplomatic immunity and identifies an honorary consul to the authorities of the host country. However, there are other numerous advantages and privileges of having a diplomatic passport. These privileges vary from one state to the other and with the main objective behind the diplomatic appointments.

Some of the common advantages and privileges’ of having a diplomatic passport include;

· Red carpet treatment by international governments

· When travelling, a diplomat may use the diplomatic channels of airports and will not be subject to time delaying and annoying customer checks

· Diplomatic immunity- under international law, the office and the residence of diplomats are extended sovereign status, as such they are off limits to all governments and their agents — even in their native countries.

· Diplomatic passport not only raises the business success of the diplomat but also boosts the or her social status and prestige.

· A diplomat acquires free diplomatic vehicle license plates (CC or CD)

· A diplomat enjoys a no travel or airport departure tax. Once a diplomat acquires a passport he or she is freed of any tax that may result from traveling either on land or on air. An honorary consul or a diplomat can, therefore, travel from one state not only quickly but also cheaply as no tax is imposed on him.

· A diplomatic passport holder enjoys confident movement and activity internationally. Once one acquires a passport, travelling becomes easier. The so many questions and requirements at the airport are greatly reduced. This enabled a diplomat to get to his area of destination on time. Similarly, any activity that a diplomatic passport holder may get involved in, either in his native country or in the host country is made easier.

· A diplomatic passport holder is freed of tax liability on income from outside the host country. Doesn’t that sound great? Yeah, it does. A diplomat who has not only confirmed his acceptance of the diplomatic appointment but has also acquired a diplomatic passport pay no tax on income that comes from other countries or states apart from the host country.

CONCLUSION

See, there are a million and one advantages and privileges of having a diplomatic passport. It is not of no great importance as many people are programmed to think. It is actually something that you do not have to think much about whether you need to apply for or not. It is instead something that everyone should strive to acquire before the end of times.

Remember, diplomats who have confirmed the acceptance of the diplomatic appointments and are ready to serve their native state are the only holders of a diplomatic passport.

Nigeria Pet Passport: These Are Things You Need To Know And How The Law Works

Pets are seen as man's best friend, an example is seen in dogs. Dogs are lovely creature that doesn't work but give joy and happiness to their owners. Many a time we love to travel with them but we are not sure of their travel documents and what the law says about pets passport.

Many people do not know that pets do have their international passports. These passports range from countries to countries and interestingly, Nigeria is not left out in the regard. According to PetTravel.com, The term “pet passport” was originally popularized in the European Union (EU) where dog, cat or ferret owners could get a blue pet passport from their veterinarian and travel freely through the EU member countries. This is still true today for people living in the EU. It will last for the lifetime of the pet as long as the rabies vaccination is kept up to date.

However, for pet owners residing in countries outside of the EU, a “pet passport” is simply a term we use to represent all of the pertinent documentation needed to take your pet to other countries. Customs officials will need to see these documents in order to clear your pet, and the inconvenience caused by losing them can be significant.

Your veterinarian can help you create a pet passport for your pet to enter almost any country in the world. For example, if you are from the United States and are visiting most European Union countries, then the pet passport will consist of the following:

- The Annex IV and APHIS 7001 forms for the country you will be visiting (they are all different) completed by your veterinarian and endorsed by the State USDA veterinarian.
- Your pet’s inoculation record which must be attached to the certified Annex IV form. (Sometimes the inoculation record is referred to as the Rabies Certificate.)

If you are visiting one of the United Kingdom countries (England, Ireland or Scotland) or Finland or Malta, your pet will need proof of a tapeworm test to complete your pet passport.

For those bringing in their pets from outside Nigeria into Nigeria, these are some of the things you will need in order for your pet to be allowed entry into Nigeria.

Nigeria Pet Passport & Import Regulations

Fact: 
Nigeria does not quarantine cats and dogs that meet the following requirements. All requirements also apply to service and emotional support animals.

1. Pet Microchip

To enter Nigeria, your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that has 15 digits and is non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

2. Vaccinations

Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country.

3. Rabies Titer Test

Pets entering Nigeria should have a rabies titer test no sooner than 30 days after their primary vaccination.

4. Health Certificate

Within 48 hours of entry, USDA (or CFIA) accredited veterinarian must then complete the bi-lingual Veterinary Certificate for Nigeria for endorsement by the USDA or CFIA if traveling from the United States or Canada. If you are traveling from another country, the Governmental Authority should endorse the forms.

5. Import Permit

An approved import permit is required when entering Nigeria with a personal pet.

6. Ticks and Tapeworm Treatment

A tick and tapeworm treatment is not required prior to entering Nigeria but is recommended due to the availability of these products in the country.

7. Entering Nigeria by Air

Pets must enter Nigeria via Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos or the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as checked baggage or air cargo. Whenever you travel to a foreign country like Nigeria, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

8. Banned Breeds

Nigeria does not publish a list of dangerous dog breeds.

9. Other Animals

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Nigeria. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

10. CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. .

Credit:
PetTravel.com

Foreign Journalists Complain of Extortion of Immigration Officers at MMIA, Lagos

Nigeria is a great country of talents, accommodating people a home of an abundance of hardworking people, people who have never received bribes or demand such from doing their duties. In a situation where those who are meant to be the country's image to foreigners coming into the country are bent on denting the image of innocent Nigerians, then there is a problem.

The issue of extortion at Muritala Mohammed International Airport is not new to Nigerians. The officers in charge of duty now openly harassed and extort foreigners coming into the country, some of these officers if they discovered there is no way to make you pay illegal charges, they resort to begging the foreigners to drop some money for them.

An Ethiopian journalist Samuel Getachew who writes for TheReporterET, CNBC Africa, and Huff Posts Canada has taken to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to complain about the extortion of the immigration guys at the airport, they were so bold that they do this in the open! Samuel was in Lagos for the Tony Elumelu Foundation and CNBC Africa alongside other international media organization were invited to cover the program but they were all disappointed.

Another journalist named Maria Lopes too complained of this extortion as well

As at last year, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, paid a surprise visit to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, declaring an urgent task to correct many of the problems already identified by the council.

According to him: “As part of our work on the Ease of Doing Business, on making the environment friendly, not just for local businesses, but also for those who want to come and do business in Nigeria, the airport obviously is one of the major places where we need to ensure that facilities are working and that things are being run properly.

“So, we have looked around, we have seen some of the equipment. There are many things that need to be done, many things that need to be corrected, and we have to work on them as quickly as possible.