The Senate on Tuesday condemned the United Kingdom’s inclusion of Nigeria in their COVID-19 red list without justification.
This followed a motion sponsored by Senator Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) coming under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Ekweremadu noted with satisfaction , efforts of the Nigerian government in the containment and treatment of COVID-19 cases.
The lawmaker noted that Nigerians have consistently complied with all the COVID-19 protocols required by the World Health Organization, WHO, and U.K Government for travelers prior to the ban.
He emphasized that, “targeting African countries, especially in the COVID-19 travel ban, amounts to profiling and discrimination as well as an attack on the diplomatic relationship with the U.K.”
The lawmakers advised the UK government to be sensitive to the diplomatic relationship between both countries when taking decision that affect Nigerian citizens.
Also read: Nigerian Government protest against UK travel ban on its citizen over Omicron Variant
The Senate in it’s resolution urged the Federal Government to engage the British authorities to reverse Nigeria’s inclusion on the red list.
while calling on major vaccines powers,of Britain, Canada, America, and the European Union, among others, to take urgent and bold steps to ensure vaccine equity in the interest of the entire human race.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said that the decision to include Nigeria on the UK COVID-19 red list poses a strain on the diplomatic relationship between both countries.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
