The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, on Tuesday stressed the need for training on global best practices for officials at the nation’s port of entry.
Ashiru said this at a two-day workshop on “Global Best Practices’’ on receiving foreigners at ports of entry organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service in Abuja.
Ashiru, who was represented by the Under Secretary, Finance and Administration, Mr Kabiru Garuba, said that, “there is a need for personnel at the ports of entry to be properly trained in the act of public relations.’’
He expressed optimism that the workshop would help to improve and foster relationship towards creating proper synergy to ensure service delivery to the public and visitors into the country.
Earlier, the acting Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr Bala Musa, said officials from various agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were being trained for the smooth take-off of the new visa policy approved by the government last year.
Musa, who was represented by a Deputy Comptroller General, Mr Tam Mologe, said the aim was to keep the nation more secure while attracting direct foreign investment, skills and to boost tourism.
He said the training would help participants to improve relationship with visitors, thereby contributing to the efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the policy, when implemented, would facilitate easier provision of visa to foreign investors, strategic visitors and tourists.
It will also allow for a visa term of up to 10 years for strategic investors, while strategic visitors and government officials coming to Nigeria could have access to visas at the point of entry. (NAN)