Tag: United Kingdom

UK resumes work, study visa applications processing in Nigeria

Aminu Imam

The United Kingdom, (UK), has resumed work and study visa applications processing in Nigeria. This was contained in a post by the UK in Nigeria, UKinNigeria, on its social media handles yesterday. In the post, Nigerians were urged to proceed to the UK visa application centres for the priority visa services. According to the post, “From January 24, TLS will resume offering some Priority Visa (PV) Services in our Nigerian visa application centres. PV services will only be available to customers applying at VACs in Nigeria in work and study…

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Omicron: Lockdown in England on the cards as officials draw up plans

Aminu Imam

Draft regulations are being prepared which would ban meeting others indoors except for work purposes, it’s reported. Officials are drawing up plans for a two-week circuit breaker lockdown after Christmas, reports suggest. The lockdown could include a ban on mixing, both indoors and outdoors. Draft regulations are being prepared which would ban meeting others indoors except for work purposes, and that pubs and restaurants would be limited to outdoor service only, according to The Financial Times. Meanwhile, it reported that Boris Johnson was presented with a number of options on…

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Nigeria, other African nations removed from U.K. Red list

Aminu Imam

Nigeria, Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been removed from the UK’s red list countries. The UK government is expected to remove all 11 countries from England’s red list, easing travel restrictions The move is being viewed as a sign that the government accepts Omicron can no longer be contained. It also follows anger from African countries, with the UN describing the ban on non-UK residents entering England as “travel apartheid”. The red list was reintroduced recently as a precaution after the emergence…

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Omicron: ‘UK travel ban on Nigeria unjustified, punitive, indefensible and discriminatory’ – Lai Moh’d

Aminu Imam

…Says Nigeria may retaliate The Federal Government has condemned the decision of the UK government to add Nigeria to its travel red list and ban foreign travels from the country describing it as unjust, unfair, punitive, indefensible and discriminatory. Recall that the UK joined other countries, including Canada, to take similar action against Nigeria as a result of the discovery of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in the country. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, speaking at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, said Nigeria has only recorded less…

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OMICRON: FG Faults Decision By UK To Place Nigeria On Red List

Aminu Imam

Ishaku Yohanna The Federal Government has faulted the decision by the United Kingdom to place Nigeria on its red list over the new ‘Omicron’ variant of COVID-19. Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the decision is unfair and discriminatory. He said: “As you are aware, Britain has put Nigeria on its red list and banned foreign travels from our country. This is as a result of the discovery of COVID-19 Omicron variant in Nigeria. “Britain now joins other…

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UK travel ban: Passengers stranded over flight cancellations

Aminu Imam

…British Airways cancels flights into, out of Nigeria Flights scheduled to operate on Sunday and other days have been cancelled and rescheduled following UK’s travel ban, leaving several passengers stranded. A British Airways (BA) flight meant to fly out yesterday morning was rescheduled. Although the airline will still operate its Abuja flights, its Lagos-London flights for yesterday and today, Monday, have been rescheduled. According to reports, BA flights from London that should have left Saturday night also did not operate but were rescheduled to leave on Sunday morning. “We would…

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Covid-19 Omicron: UK govt puts Nigeria on red list

Aminu Imam

…Bans foreign travellers The UK Government has said Nigeria will be added to the countries on its red list due to the discovery of Covid-19 Omicron cases linked to Nigeria. The decision was announced in a tweet by the UK yesterday. According to the new protocol, non-UK and non-Irish citizens who are travelling in from Nigeria will not be allowed entry into the UK. Although the ban is described as temporary, the UK said the new protocol does not apply to persons “staying airside and only transiting through”.

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Covid: Boris Johnson announces tightening of rules after Omicron variant reaches UK

Aminu Imam

In an attempt to slow the spread of the new Covid-19 Omicron variant, the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has announced ‘temporary and precautionary’ measures after two cases of the new variant were detected. The UK Health Security Agency confirmed the cases, which are both believed to be connected and linked to travel to southern Africa, after genomic sequencing overnight. According to the new directive, in the UK, mask rules will be mandatory in shops and on public transport, while Omicron contacts will have to self-isolate and new arrivals will…

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Premier League approves £300m Saudi-backed Newcastle takeover

Aminu Imam

A Saudi Arabian-backed takeover of Newcastle United has been completed on Thursday, after the Premier League approved the £300m deal. The deal to buy Newcastle has been fraught with controversy and obstacles since four years ago. However, the new development brings to an end the 14-year ownership spell of Mike Ashley at the club. The English toplight approved the takeover after sale went through after the deal passed the Premier League owners’ and directors’ test. It is understood that the Saudi State would not control the club, instead the Public…

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UK relaxes rules for fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria

Aminu Imam

The United Kingdom has reviewed its travel protocols for travellers from Nigeria who have taken their complete jabs of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by authorities in the country. This was announced in a statement by the British High Commission yesterday. “From Monday, October 11, 2021, fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria will be able to come to England without needing to provide a pre-departure test, undertake a day 8 test or self-isolate for 10 days, although will still need to book and pay for a day 2 test”, the statement read…

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