The Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Peter Ayibakuro Ogide-Oke, has commended the recent move by Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda to have a single tourist visa, saying it would see more tourists flock to the region which would also expose them to the business and investment opportunities available in the region.
The Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Peter Ayibakuro Ogide-Oke, has commended the recent move by Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda to have a single tourist visa, saying it would see more tourists flock to the region which would also expose them to the business and investment opportunities available in the region.
The Nigerian envoy was speaking to this paper during a tour of Nigerian establishments in Rwanda yesterday.
"The single visa initiative is going to bring more tourists to the region, which will expose them to the opportunities available for investment. Nigerians, generally, ment will see a lot of them travel to East Africa.”
Ogide-Oke also commended Rwanda’s move to issue African passport holders visas on entry into the country, saying it is a model to open borders for Africans to learn more about each other, do business and end mistrust between each other.
"The Rwandan government’s decision to open up the borders to other African countries is also to be lauded as it encourages the movement and interaction of Africans and increases cooperation,” he said.
The Nigerian High Commission, which has been in operations for 20 months now, was opened to strengthen ties between the two countries after President Goodluck Jonathan’s State visit to Rwanda.
"Although we are a relatively a young embassy, we have been setting up foundation to bring the two countries closer in terms of investments, trade, among others. We have been working closely with the Rwandan High Commission in Nigeria to facilitate the bilateral relations and have since brought members of the Nigerian business community to explore the numerous business opportunities in the country.”
Good reception
The Commission has also seen students in Nigeria come in for exchange programmes and is organising to have more Rwandan students participate in the exchange programmes.
Commenting on Nigerians’ reception in the country, he said Rwandans had proved to be good hosts.
"The reception has been great, some Nigerians come for purposes of visit and end up registering business by the time they leave. This year we will see more Nigerian visitors,” Ogide-Oke said.
Essien Mark, the Nigerian managing partner of Sola Enitan and Co., a real estate firm based in Rwanda, said Rwanda had eased process and procedures for those willing to do business in the country.
"That is arousing interest of people back home when they learn of Nigerians being able to put up businesses in Rwanda and flourish,” he said.