Nigeria’s information minister describes UK Red Listing of Nigeria as Unjust, Discriminatory

The FG has condemned the Travel Ban issued by the United Kingdom on Nigeria amid growing fear of overspreading of Omicron Variant of Covid.

Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed Described the Ban as Discriminatory, Punitive, and one not backed by reason.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Mr Mohammed described the decision as unjust and discriminatory.

The minister has, however, called on the UK government to rescind their decision immediately.

Also discussed at the summit is the way forward as regards an upscale of the current responses to the pandemic including ongoing mass vaccination, surveillance, and screening at the various points of entry.

Lai Mohammed’s comments are the latest reactions to the red listing which has continued to stir debates in Nigeria and across the world.

Earlier, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, expressed disappointment over the United Kingdom government’s placement of Nigeria on its red list following the detection of the COVID-19 Omicron variant.

“We were not very happy when six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were placed on a red list and the WHO also advised against putting each other on the red list,” the minister said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, less than one day after the UK announced the move.

“From what we know about the COVID-19, there are many ways to manage it, and besides, not much is still known about the Omicron variant. We know, for example, that there have been no fatalities.

“There have also been no reports of very severe illness. Actually, the rationale for being so hasty in putting countries on the red list is not something that is very helpful.”

According to the minister, the move was ill-advised. He further noted that it would have multiple impacts on commerce, and disrupt activities during the Christmas and New Year festivities.