Dr Peingondjabi Shipoh, the Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria, speaks to Managing Editor, Toivo Ndjebela about the controversy that surrounded the visa applications of Nigerian music boy band, P-Square, the deadly Ebola virus that is pushing west Africa to the verge of collapse, as well as the current atmosphere in Nigeria in the aftermath of the deadly collapse of a church building.
Has the Namibian Embassy in Nigeria received visa applications for P-Square twin singers Peter and Paul Okoye?
The High Commission of the Republic of Namibia to the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not mandated to issue work visas, but tourist or visitor entry visas only. The Mission did not receive any visa applications for P-Square singers, Peter and Paul Okoye. Hence, the Mission did not reject what it did not receive and therefore there was no obligation to inform anyone. It should also be noted that when the Mission issue entry visas for Namibia, travellers might have to pass through Johannesburg and need a transit visa for RSA which could require up to 45 days processing period
Namibia recently barred travellers from Ebola-hit countries, including Nigeria. Has this information been communicated to you?
The Namibian government, through the ministries of health and social services, and foreign affairs communicated information as contained in the August 4 2014 statement by the minister of health, Honourable Richard Kamwi.
How is the Mission coping and complying with that directive given the amount of activities between Namibia and Nigeria?
The Mission is under obligation to comply and fully implement all government directives related to the matter under discussion. The Mission consequently issued a travel advice to inform prospective travellers on what to expect upon arrival at border posts in the Republic of Namibia in a form of a Note Verbal, in accordance with the World Health Organisation protocols regarding Ebola. The same will be found on the website of the Mission.
Namibia is to host a CAF Women Soccer Championship from October 9 in Windhoek and Nigeria will be one of the participating nations. Will the embassy issue visas to the Nigerian team despite the existing ban?
The Mission is aware of the preparations by the Namibia Football Association and government to successfully host CAF Women Soccer Championship in October in Namibia. The Mission received the list of the participating women team members from the Nigerian authorities. We have forwarded the list to our ministry [Foreign Affairs] in Namibia. The Mission is yet to receive the applications for entry visas for the team.
Could this ban affect the diplomatic ties between Namibia and Nigeria? Has the embassy explained why this ban was necessary?
Namibia and Nigeria continue to enjoy a healthy, cordial diplomatic relationship. The Mission believes that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) matter will not affect the longstanding diplomatic ties between Namibia and Nigeria because of the travel advice issued by our Mission. The Mission encourages Namibian business personalities to use our Mission in Abuja where possible, to explore business opportunities and enhance trade volumes between our friendly countries.
How safe from Ebola are Namibians who live in Nigeria, including the Mission’s staff?
Nigeria is not the source of Ebola (EVD) ravaging the west African countries at the moment. The EVD was imported into Nigeria by an American-Liberian citizen, Mr Patrick Sawyer on July 20, 2014. The reported Ebola cases in the F.R of Nigeria, 20 in total, were as a result of second and third contact cases from infection by the index case, Mr. Sawyer. All cases were confined to the cities of Lagos and Port Harcourt. Altogether, eight people died of Ebola including the index case. As from September 11 2014, Nigeria has not reported any new infection of EVD in the country. The World Health Organisation has, in addition, declared Nigeria and Senegal Ebola free. This also was announced by President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday during his address to the UN General Assembly in New York. The World Health Organisation has an office in Windhoek which can verify the statement. As a representative of Namibia and its people in west Africa, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and report back to our government.
With regards to the safety of our staff, it should be noted that the Namibian diplomats are based in the capital, Abuja, which is more than 800 kilometres from the affected areas in Nigeria and has not recorded any EVD to date. Therefore, the Namibian diplomats are relatively safe. The Mission also bought two handheld devices to screen visitors to the Mission and residence for Ebola. In addition the Namibian diplomats continue to observe general individual hygiene, like washing of hands, with soap and water, use moisturising hand sanitisers, and avoid crowded events, parties and unnecessary handshakes.
On a slightly different note, how is the atmosphere in Nigeria after the recent collapse of a synagogue belonging to TB Joshua?
The atmosphere, as one can imagine, was initially of shock and disbelief among the worshippers, but the Nigerian government is investigating to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Many Namibians visit the same synagogue. Can the embassy confirm that no Namibian perished in that accident?
The identification process of those who lost their lives in the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos on September 12, 2014 is still ongoing. Hence the Mission cannot confirm whether any Namibian perished or was injured in the incident. However, the Mission commiserated with the Synagogue and the Prophet on the death of the religious tourists, and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Families or friends in Namibia can also inform our Mission about any Namibian citizen known to have travelled to the Synagogue during that week of the tragedy.
As someone on the ground, what’s your recommendation to Namibians visiting Nigeria at this point in time, especially in light of current Ebola scare?
The Mission is an extension of the policies of the Government of the Republic of Namibia and hence the Mission’s recommendation to Namibians visiting Nigeria at this point in time will be that of the Namibian government.