Nigerian Senate has on Tuesday urged the Nigerian Government to engage the British authorities to reverse Nigeria’s inclusion in their COVID-19 the red list.
The senate condemned the United Kingdom’s move on Nigeria, saying it was without justification.
These were part of resolutions reached by the senate, following the consideration of a motion on the “Need for Government of the United Kingdom to remove Nigeria from COVID-19 Red List, sponsored by Senator Ike Ekweremadu.”
Presenting his motion under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Senator Ike Ekweremadu noted with satisfaction the efforts of the Government of Nigeria in the containment and treatment of COVID-19 cases.
Lowest Cases
He expressed satisfaction that Nigeria is among the countries with the lowest cases of COVID-19.
The former Deputy President of the senate 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.
Senator Ekweremadu also worried that the decision by the British Government to include Nigeria in their COVID-19 list, with its implications, will affect many citizens of Nigeria, who had planned to spend their Christmas and New Year holiday with their families.
He drew the attention of the senate to global concerns over vaccines hoarding and inequity and the resulting consequences on low-income nations in the fight against COVID-19.
President of the Senate, 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.
He bemoaned the poor treatment of Nigeria by the UK government.
Senate accordingly, called on the British Parliament to intervene with a view to having Nigeria removed from the country’s COVID-19 red list.
COV/EDWIN/Lateefah Ibrahim
