The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has denied visas to some students of
Ekiti State University on the grounds of Ebola despite the World Health
Organization declaring Nigeria an Ebola free country. The students were
invited to participate in ENACTUS 2014 (Entrepreneurial Action Us), an
international competition of young entrepreneurs involving 36 countries
slated for 22 – 24th of October 2014 in China in which Nigeria, Senegal,
Ghana and Egypt are to represent Africa. But the Chinese Embassy here
refused to grant the student visas to go to China. The Ekiti State
University students, who were picked to represent Nigeria having won the
ENACTUS Promoted Innovation Competition earlier in the year, have
written an open letter about the situation.
REPRESENTATION
OF NIGERIA AT THE ENACTUS WORLD COMPETITION IN CHINA: DISCRIMINATORY
DENIAL OF VISA BECAUSE OF EBOLA VIRUS DISEASEWe write to
introduce ENACTUS (Entrepreneurial Action Us), an international
non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and
educational Institutions to mobilize university and polytechnic students
to make economic difference in their communities while developing the
skills to become socially responsible business leaders.
We are
pleased to inform you that Students of Ekiti State University are slated
to represent Nigeria this October in China having won the ENACTUS
Promoted Innovation Competition earlier in the year. It should be noted
that our institution along with over 40 others in Nigeria have worked
tirelessly to contribute positively to the development of our dear
nation Nigeria through the ENACTUS (Entrepreneurial Action Us) Platform
by embarking on micro economic impacting projects which has improved the
quality of life and standard of living of people in our various
communities by stimulating economic demand for locally produced
products.
Annually, ENACTUS participating institutions
come together to share their success stories and the institution with
the best innovation that meets all judging criteria represents Nigeria
at the International competition which is hosted at different countries.
At these international competitions, Nigeria has been duly represented
over the years as the leading African country and most consistent top
five institution in the Final round of the competition. As a matter of
fact, Nigeria, represented by Kaduna Polytechnic won the Third position
amongst 32 countries at the international competition which was held in
Mexico October, 2013.
ENACTUS Ekiti State University is to
represent our dear nation Nigeria this ENACTUS year on October
22nd-24th, 2014 at Beijing, China. However, we have been denied VISA by
the Chinese Embassy to participate at the competition due to the
incidence of the Ebola Virus in Nigeria this year.
Your Excellency,
it is our considered opinion that this an act of international
discrimination which needs Your Excellency’surgent attention and
intervention. The concerted effort of both the Nigerian Government and
her citizens in overcoming the scourge of the dreaded Ebola virus should
be praised by the international community rather than it being an
excuse for any country that has a strong bilateral relationship and
economic ties to the Federal Government of Nigeria to prevent or deny
citizens of this great nation theopportunity to promote our innovation
and competitiveness in the global stage. We believe that this denial is
not only experienced by ENACTUS Ekiti State University but also so many
Nigerian citizens travelling to China at this time, we make to the
recent International youth Olympics where the Nigerian contingent were
isolated thus causing the Hon. Minister for Sports into recalling the
contingent back home. We therefore believe that if this trend is not
nipped in the bud, Nigeria may soon become pariah state amongst the
comity of nations starting the Chinese.
We hereby seek Your
Excellency’s to lend a strong voice and action of Support to tell the
world in very loud and clear voice that Nigeria is Ebola Free through
the ENACTUS EKSU Move tagged “Nigeria is Ebola Free” to give every
Nigerian access to his / her right and freedom of association without
intimidation and stigmatization at the International level.
In
view of the above, we have initiated a social media campaign
#NGIsEbolaFree and we plan to spread this message through the social
media space to gain international attention.
Please accept the
appreciation of our highest regards as we look forward to a quick
resolution of the issues not only because of our situation but to save
Nigeria’s image.
Yours Sincerely.
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