By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – NIGERIANS in Italy under the association, National Union of Nigerians in Italy, NUNAI has called on Nigerians to disregard a viral video by one Olusola Adegboye, Chairman of the Human Right Defenders &Access to Justice Advocacy Centre criticising officials of the Nigerian embassy on the issuance of visa.

  The group rather applauded the efforts of the officials in fast- tracking the process of obtaining international passport which before now it said has been herculean.

  The Welfare Officer of NUNAI, Pastor Mike Oputteh, in a statement reacting to the complaint said it is shocking for someone who claimed to be a human right defender to the public space and make unsubstantiated statements against Nigerians and the embassy.

READ ALSO:PIB: Host communities kick as Reps peg equity stake at 5%; Senate 3%

   He said the author of the video who does not reside in Italy is obviously on a smear campaign mission to discredit the good work of the consular office in Italy.

   The statement said: “We want to state categorically that Nigerians in Italy have never had it so good, especially with the renewed vigour and effort of the Embassy officials in making sure that Visa and passport processes are done at record time.

   “So it is shocking to see some disgruntled elements masquerading in the name of human right defenders making false allegations in the social media. It is totally false and baseless. We are calling on all our law abiding citizens to ignore such statements. 

   “It is pertinent to note that the said official he mentioned in the said video was recently  recognised with an international award in Abuja for bringing sanity and efficiency to visa process in Italy.” He stated.