Canadian High Commission Abuja Remains Closed; Accra Visa Centre Warns Against Crowd Accompanying Applicants
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Canadian High Commission, Abuja, Nigeria before the November 2023 fire
DATELINE: Abuja.
The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has reiterated that the closure of its Abuja office in Nigeria’s capital, to the public will remain until further notice.
The information by the High Commission released through X account, formerly Twitter, said that the suspension as earlier announced in November 2023, after the fire accident that devastated the Abuja office, is still in force.
The statement said thus, “The High Commission of Canada to Nigeria in Abuja remains closed to the public until further notice. However, all High Commission services – including immigration and consular – continue to be provided”.
The statement, however, reaffirmed types of services that could be accessed when needed; “If you require urgent in-person consular assistance, limited services are available temporarily at the British High Commission, in Abuja”.
Also, others who may require special and emergency attention were advised thus, “For emergency consular assistance, call the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.”
Please be reminded that “the High Commission provides visa and immigration services for those seeking to visit or emigrate to Canada. It provides services to Canadians visiting and living in Nigeria and to Canadians in Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe”.
The High Commission of Canada in Nigeria is situated at 13010G, Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District in Abuja.
CANADA VISA APPLICATION CENTRE, ACCRA, GHANA
DATELINE: Accra.
Meanwhile, in Accra, the Canadian Visa Application Centre has apologized for the overcrowded and undignified manner Ghanaians were made to queue under the scorching sun without dignified shelter outside the facility.
The prolonged queues have been a source of gross discontent among Ghanaians who had severally and collectively frowned and condemned in strong terms, the undignified manner applicants were subjected to before being attended.
However, Mr. Kojo Wilmot, the National Officer of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in Accra, had tendered an apology to Ghanaians for the non-provision of shelter for those who visited the centre for various immigration matters.
Kojo Wilmot who was speaking as a guest at a breakfast talk show in Accra, on Citi News Radio said the open space queueing without shelter will shortly be eliminated.
Wilmot however, warned applicants to desist from the habit of visiting the visa application centre with a large entourage of people who often were not concerned with the mission of the applicants.
He cited the peculiar situation of applicants for visas who more often would arrive at the centre accompanied by a large retinue of friends, relations, their pastors and other men of God.
Wilson asked about the role of “men of God” in the biometrics of an applicant, the signature, passport photographs and other things exclusive to the applicants.
Hence, he advised, “There is no need to come to the centre with a pastor to help you submit your application or undertake the biometric because, at the end of the day, they have no say in the decision that is taken.”
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