Nigerian applicants will get fair handling of visa issues

Ever since both countries established bi-lateral

relationship, Nigeria and German have committedly

ensured that they maintained good, close, sustainably

stable and trustful relationship, especially in key sectors

of both countries’ economies.

Mr. Ingo Herbert

By Vera Samuel Anyagafu & Prisca Sam-Duru

Ever since both countries established bi-lateral

relationship, Nigeria and German have committedly

ensured that they maintained good, close, sustainably

stable and trustful relationship, especially in key sectors

of both countries’ economies.

At

the

recent German Unity Day anniversary celebration, the

Republic of German Consul General to the Federal

Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Ingo Herbert, who just assumed

his diplomatic appointment to oversee consular activities

at the German consulate in Lagos, Nigeria, promised that

his office will ensure that Nigerian visa applicants receive

a fair and decent handling of visa issues.

Herbert who appeared to be delighted on both countries

common interest in maintaining a healthier and more

fruitful partnership, expressed that Germany is proud to be

one of the countries with which Nigeria established a bi-

national Commission, adding that the German-Nigerian

energy partnership remains a focal point in both countries

relations, as well as other key areas, which in real terms,

are progressively enlarging the two countries diplomatic

ties.

“The Germany National day, and or Unity Day, is a special

day to Germans and I am particularly happy to see

Nigerians celebrating here with us. “The truth is our

business relation with Nigeria is healthy and fruitful and

all major companies in German are delighted to come to

Nigeria to see what kind of business opportunity they can

share with Nigerians and we also assist them in this

regard.

We have German companies everywhere in the world. We

have in Indonesia, Middle-East, Northern America, and

then in Africa and so on, and would like to do more than

economic relations, in other words, sharing more of

cultural relations, as well as academic relations and so

on,” Herbert said.

Promising that he will ensure a more conducive visa

processing procedures for Nigerian visa applicants,

Herbert emphasised, “We will provide good service, fair

service to all visa applicants and according to the

Schengen regime, what is valid for all Schengen countries

and I would like with my very competent staff to

guarantee a decent handling of the visa issues.”

Continuing, he added, “I know once you have a visa

regime, there could be some challenges and although, we

have too many visa that are applying and you may not

have enough staff, but I can say our consular section is

also very big. It is the biggest unit at the consulate and

my staff dignifies a lot of deserved visa issuing and they

are service oriented.”

However, it was pointed out at the gathering that Nigeria

is a leading nation in Africa and with its fast-growing

economy will find a committed and close partnership in

Germany, while also hoping that Nigeria in similar note,

with its immeasurable creativity and influence in Africa,

will serve as a bridge to strengthen both countries

relations in various capacities.

Vanguard Consular Advisory (VCA) also gathered that a

good number of German companies and compatriots have

strong presence in Nigeria and are operating successfully

in various capacities, while many more hope to becoming

part of the success both countries are currently

experiencing as a result of the sustained healthier bi-

lateral relations.