MINISTER EXPLAINS NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY SHIFT

FDI inflows hit $9b

IN response to the global realities and changing times, every foreign policy decision by the Federal Government must henceforth pass the litmus test of how Nigeria’s specific and general national interests as well as those of the citizenry are being promoted, pursued and served, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru said this in Lagos Monday at a luncheon organised in his honour by Association of Retired Ambassadors of Nigeria.

Ashiru asserted that the government had in consonance with the new foreign policy shift sought to deploy resources to support and promote the economic development of Nigeria through job and wealth creation, empowerment and the development of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the Nigerians.

COMMONWEALTH VISA FREE REGIME SOON – ASHIRU

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, says the Commonwealth of Nations is planning to introduce a visa free regime for its member states.

Ashiru stated this in Abuja on Monday at a meeting with the Secretary General of the organisation, Kamalesh Sharma.

As a prelude to accomplishing this, the council of ministers of the organisation is to present a proposal for the exemption of holders of official and diplomatic passports from visa requirements at the next CHOGOM meeting scheduled to hold in Colombo, Siri Lanka.

The minister said, “We also discussed the issue of free movement to promote people to people contact within the Commonwealth.

ASHIRU: FG TO SANCTION EMBASSIES MALTREATING NIGERIANS

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, on Monday told the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs that the Federal Government would withdraw the operational licence of any foreign embassy, whose country fails to accord deserved dignity to Nigerians seeking foreign visas.

Ashiru, who met with the committee in National Assembly premises, said whereas some foreign embassies in the country had provided enabling atmosphere for Nigerians seeking to undertake foreign trips, others had continued to humiliate Nigerians by keeping them in the sun after applying for visa.