WE ARE HERE
TO SERVE YOU, BIANCA OJUKWU TELLS NIGERIANS IN SPAIN.
“I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel”… Jesus words here depict a setting of priority and
an awareness of Israel’s place in God’s plan of salvation. Every ministry and
mission must have priorities. And Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu’s mission in Spain
is not an exception. She knows where her duties lay and has a clear cut agenda.
Before she came, Spain was like a dead zone and not much was heard of it. But
today, the blind see, the lame walk and the dead in Spain will rise before her
mission ends. And these have proved that
it’s not only our own T.B Joshua that has the monopoly for miracles, even
diplomats do. The African most outstanding Ambassador in Europe implements
citizenship diplomacy as her utmost priority. Bianca Ojukwu has taken her
crusade of citizenship diplomacy to the door steps of Nigerians in Spain. She
says to them, “come let us reason together”. Of recent, she has been having
town hall meetings with the Nigerian communities at various cities in Spain.
The most recent are the meetings in Malaga and Sevilla where various issues
affecting the Nigerian community in Spain were addressed during the interactive
sessions.
“We are here
to serve you and not to do you a favor”
She said that many Nigerians wallow in ignorance, as
they are not well informed, and do not know what their rights, duties and
obligations are. Consequent to that, they seek to obtain solutions to their problems
through short cuts and wrong channels. The Ambassador gave answers to some
questions on salient issues bordering Nigerians such as;
Que. Why are Nigerians
asked to bring police report which after a short while the validity expires?
Ans. Police report matter remains a perennial
issue. Embassy has always lodged the complaints to the Spanish government concerning
obtaining police report from Nigeria instead of Spain where they live and many have
not gone home for many years. The matter has been taken to foreign affairs
several times. It is a constitutional and statutory issue between Nigeria and
Spain and involves some rigorous process to resolve. The mission flow with the
tide sometimes and cannot twist the hand of the government on certain issues.
However, in view of the problems the police report imposes to Nigerians, the
mission has taken a step forward to request for a certificate of good conduct
as an alternative and is waiting for the approval. Also the Embassy has
obtained a concession on extension of the 3 months validity date of the police
report. Now, the validity date should begin by the date the Embassy stamps the
document. Therefore, we appeal to Nigerians to take advantage of this
concession.
Que. Why do
Nigerians pay so much to obtain police report?
Ans.
Police report exercise in Spain stops you from traveling to Nigeria to collect
the document. In doing that, the Embassy applies for policemen from forensic
department to come to Spain. Bearing in mind that most of our citizens cannot
come to the Embassy in Madrid because of not having the legitimate documents to
travel. To be able to do that, police sometimes stay up to 3 months in the
process travelling from one region to another. The processing department has to
be paid. From the police, certificate travels to interiors affairs ministry, to
consulate Embassy Spain in Lagos, from there back to Spain. In addition to all
other administrative costs, it is a cumbersome process. The Embassy has even
asked association leaders to take up the responsibility if they can. Even at
that, the cost has been reduced. And if anyone is asked to pay other than the
amount approved by the Embassy by any of the associations, you should report to
the Embassy.
Que. Why does
Spanish police cease Nigerian passports and easily deport Nigerians. Is it a
crime to have Nigerian passport?
Ans.
Police has the right to detain a person’s passport while the person is been investigated.
Embassy doesn’t interfere with the cause of investigations. But if that goes beyond
the stipulated bounds, and is brought to the attention of the mission, we
intervene. Police are trained to break the law while keeping the law. In cases
of deportation, the Embassy ensures that no Nigerian citizen is unlawfully
deported. There was a case where a citizen was deported, after it was brought
to the attention of the Embassy, we went into action and found out that the
police did not act very well, and demanded that the citizen be deported back to
Spain and he was brought back. In a foreign land, it is important that citizens
should be in solidarity and be there brother’s keeper. The Embassy has always
encouraged our citizens out there to let us know their plights and give
information about others in need of assistance. And the Embassy has made it
clear that they will not take it lightly if the rights of our citizens are
infringed upon.
But
you notice that Nigerians are the weakest in terms of solidarity. An average
Nigerian does not want a fellow Nigerian to know how he thrives. Nigerians are
not together. The extent of how your problem gets solved is a function of how
conscious you are. For your problem to become solved, you have to care for
yourself first.
Que. Why do
Nigerians find it more difficult to renew their documents?
Ans.
The Embassy are doing their very best to make sure that things to a large
extent are better for Nigerian citizens. To the average European, there is
rampant falsification of documents by Nigerians. Documents are sent to the
Embassy for verifications and authentication. And you find out that documents
people are paid to forge and falsify are issued by the Embassy free of charge.
We are our own worst enemies. The less falsified documents are the better for
Nigerians.
Que. What is
the Embassy doing to integrate Nigerians into the system?
Ans. This
is a societal problem. People decided on their own to migrate to Spain for some
reasons. Integration depends more on the individual. The Embassy acts as
interface. Embassy showcases Nigerian culture through workshops and seminars on
right of citizens. The integration an economic immigrant requires is to take
what the host offers. The day to day activities lies within the individual. Citizens
should engage in meaningful activities to develop themselves as to fit in the
system. Take advantage of NGO’s that offer training services. Every parent should
impart on children born here an identity they should own. That could be
inculcated through language. Teach the children your home language and let them
know that they have a place they could call their own. Time catches up fast.
Give the children what your parents gave to you. And Think more of creating
your own society wherever you are.
Delivering a speech which was like a gospel during the
event, the Ambassador used the occasion to inform the Nigerian community of the
plan to issue ID card to Nigerians in Spain for proper identification in view
of the future plan for Nigerians in diaspora to vote. She said, revolution is
taking place in Nigeria, and Nigerians in diaspora must be part of it by
exercising their voting rights wherever they are. The purpose for issuance of
ID card is to identify those who are Nigerians. She noted that many Nigerians
have refused to register with their local associations. But with the issuance of the ID card which is
free of charge, every Nigerian will be identified.
The Ambassador emphasized on the need for Nigerians to
be their brother’s keeper and for solidarity and unity among Nigerians. She lamented that Nigerians are the weakest in
terms of solidarity as they are not together as one.
“Our diversity
as Nigerians should be our strength rather than weakness”
She made it clear that Mission condemns criminal acts
such as 419, drugs, and prostitution. And emphasized on the need to
re-orientate our youths to shun crime. She
stated that as a matter of commitment, the mission is doing its best to ensure
every Nigerian is protected and not molested
Bianca drew attention to the changing trends in the
world such as, the recent Xenophobia crisis, where Africans are being attacked
by fellow Africans. Also stressed on the increasing wave of illegal migration.
Referring to the recent tragedy on the sea between Libya and Italy, where
thousands of Africans perished in the quest to cross to Europe. She minced no
words to say that many were lured into this suicidal mission by people abroad
who present false impressions about realities on ground.
“Give correct
information of what Europe is like”
The Ambassador urged those in diaspora to join efforts
with government to curb the tragic incidents of our people perishing in the bid
to migrate to abroad. She also drew attention to the political situation in
Nigeria. And informed that a new president elect Buhari, would be sworn in on
May 29. She commended the sportsmanship of President Jonathan to concede defeat
to the President elect. And enjoined Nigerians to support the incoming
government of Buhari.
By Uchendu Precious Onuoha (Special Correspondent Spain)
