Passport challenges for Nigerians in New York area over soon, says new Consul General, Amb. Jidda

Ambassador Jidda gave the indication at the 13th Town Hall Meeting organized by the Consulate General for nationals in the 20 US states that it covers to interact with him.

At the event, which also served as the first official meeting between the new CG and Nigerian nationals, the Envoy also raised the hope that mobile enrollment machines are equally expected to arrive New York soon.

The installation of a passport printing machine in New York would dramatically reduce the time that Nigerians have to wait before they get their new or renewed passports, while the mobile enrollment machines will help the Consulate’s officials to take the process enrollment for new passports or renewal of existing ones to the nationals in the states where they reside.

Presently, the only passport printing machines are in the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC and officials of the New York Consulate have to go there to have passports printed, often prolonging the time that people can take delivery of their printed travel documents.

Ambassador Jidda told participants that even before resuming in New York,  he had met with very senior officials of the President Bola Tinubu government who gave assurances that the machines would soon be delivered, most things being equal.

The Envoy, who used the opportunity of the virtual meeting to interact with leaders of the Nigerian community in the 20 states he is  covering, also unveiled his vision and mission in New York.

Stressing that President Tinubu has given them marching orders to support Diasporans, Ambassador Jidda said that he would not only build on the laudable legacies left by his predecessor, Ambassador Peter Lot Egopija, but would do much more for Nigerians.

Noting that he met a  very good team on ground at the Consulate General on assumption of office, the Envoy said that he would do everything within his power to promote trade, businesses and the cultures of the country.

He urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to think home more, and be ready to invest their capital and expertise in different sectors, including in real estate where a housing scheme is already being developed for them in the country.

He assured that he would physically engage robustly with Nigerian nationals in his area of coverage and would facilitate more trade trips to the home country.

The CG, who answered questions fielded by his nationals, most of which had to do with passports and visas, assured that all issues related to outstanding travel documents, especially those arising from past passport intervention programs would soon be resolved.

The well attended virtual Town Hall Meeting had in attendance leaders of Nigerians in Diaspora Organizations (NIDO) from different states within the New York jurisdiction as well as officials of the Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) and other Nigerian groups and individuals.

Other senior officers of the Consulate General were also on hand to throw light on some of the issues raised during the Town Hall meeting, which Ambassador Jidda promised to retain as a vehicle for receiving feedback from the community.